County begins registry requiring pet owners to record new litters ► PAGE 6
Januar y 8, 2026 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976
Volunteers lay plans to put into practice MLK Day of Service DUNWOODY, Ga. — The City of Dunwoody invites residents to lend a helping hand for the 10th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 19. The Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the Dunwoody-Atlanta Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc., will mark the national holiday with volunteer projects and a blood drive. Observed annually on the third Monday in January, the National Day of Service celebrates the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. It is the only federal holiday designated as a day of service, encouraging Americans to empower individuals, bridge barriers and strengthen communities. Terris Ross, Ph.D., president of Dunwoody-Atlanta Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, said the local affiliate’s strength is rooted in service and shared purpose. “Initiatives like this bring us together to uplift others and model for our children what it means to lead with compassion, equity and a commitment to opportunity for all,” Ross said.
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The DeKalb County Real-Time Crime Center features a screen showing the drone flight area and DeKalb Peachtree Airport airspace.
County cuts ribbon on real-time crime center By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com
APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO
Two Metro Atlanta residents plant a downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) at Brook Run Park in 2024 with Trees Atlanta for Dunwoody’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
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TUCKER, Ga. — The DeKalb County Police Department officials and other county leaders celebrated the opening of the Real-Time Crime Center at the police headquarters on Friday, Dec. 19. The Real-Time Crime Center will be used to track data and deploy more cameras and drones. The center was built out in about nine months and cost
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$2 million. It integrates live video feeds, analytics, and coordinated response capabilities to support first responders in the field. At the Employee Relations and Public Safety Committee Sept. 16 meeting, Police Chief Greg Padrick said the initiative adds more license plate reader cameras, pan-tilt cameras, four drones, three mobile security trailers, Flock 911 and more search functions in the system.
See CRIME, Page 13
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