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Welcome to Neighbors in Uniform, a monthly newsletter from the Gwinnett County Police Department. Each edition highlights upcoming events, community programs, public safety initiatives, and topics important to you. We are proud to serve a community that trusts us, and we remain committed to keeping you informed, connected, and safe.
Our mission is to serve the community through the delivery of professional law enforcement services in an unbiased and compassionate manner in order to protect the lives and property of the citizens and improve the quality of life in our community.
| | Get ready for a fun and safe Halloween with the Safety Pals | | Halloween is a time for fun, but we always need to be careful. Watch the video below and share it with the excited trick-or-treaters in your life to help prepare them for a fun and safe holiday! | | Join us for Bark or Treat | | |
Gwinnett residents, get ready for a tail-wagging good time. Come join us on Friday, October 23 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center for Bark or Treat. Dress up with your furry friend for a night of spooky fun and tail wags with Gwinnett Police and Animal Welfare and Enforcement!
Pet photos, costume contest, treat station, music, smores, haunted trailer with adoptable dogs, and 50% off adoption fees.
Come for fun, leave with a new furry family member! For more information, please email PDCommunityAffairs@GwinnettCounty.com.
| Fill the Sleigh with toys this holiday season | |
While the holidays are a season of joy for many, some Gwinnett families face financial hardship and uncertainty. With your help, Gwinnett Police can make the season brighter for local children and families in need.
We’re proud to continue the tradition of spreading holiday cheer through our 6th annual Fill the Sleigh Toy Drive. We will be accepting new, unwrapped toys, valued at $10 or more, for children ages 3 to 15 from Monday, November 2 through Friday, December 11. Popular gifts for older youth include sports balls and gift cards. Please note that toy weapons will not be accepted.
Donations may be dropped off at any Gwinnett Police precinct or headquarters. Your toy donations will be distributed at one of three Santa's Community Workshop events, bringing the joy of the season to life with Santa, elves, hands-on activities, and much more.
For more information about the Fill the Sleigh Toy Drive and our Santa's Community Workshops and how you or your employer can help, please email PDCommunityAffairs@GwinnettCounty.com.
Thank you for helping to provide hope, excitement, and the warmth of the season to families in need.
| | Reduce prescription drug misuse with safe disposal at all Gwinnett Police precincts | | |
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is on Saturday, October 24, but you don't have to wait. Safe medication disposal is available year-round in Gwinnett County.
For more than a year, Gwinnett County residents have had access to secure NarcX collection receptacles located in the lobbies of all six Gwinnett Police precincts and headquarters
These boxes provide a safe, convenient, and environmentally responsible way to dispose of expired, unwanted, or potentially dangerous prescription medications. Residents may drop off pills, tablets, capsules, and liquid medications during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
Proper medication disposal helps prevent accidental ingestion, misuse, and prescription drug abuse while also protecting our environment from harmful contamination. By taking advantage of this free service, residents can help make our community healthier and safer.
This initiative is made possible through the support of the Council on Alcohol and Drugs.
| | Gwinnett Police marks milestone 50th Citizens Police Academy with 30 new graduates | | |
For fifty classes and counting, the Gwinnett Citizens Police Academy has remained a cornerstone of community engagement, fostering transparency, building trust, and creating opportunities for open and constructive dialogue between peace officers and the residents we proudly serve.
We recently celebrated a major milestone with the graduation of our 50th Citizens Police Academy class. Thirty residents completed the Academy, joining hundreds of community members who have participated in the program over the years to gain a deeper understanding of law enforcement operations, public safety initiatives, and the challenges facing modern policing.
Graduates shared their appreciation for the experience, noting that the academy provided valuable insight into the complexities of law enforcement. During the ceremony, graduation speaker Mrs. Groth reflected on her experience:
"I feel very privileged to live in a community where, instead of recoiling from movements like 'defund the police,' law enforcement is able to lean into the nuance of what those statements actually mean. At a time when some of the worst examples from across the country are repeatedly amplified through a 24-hour news cycle and constant online information sharing, I am proud, honored, and privileged to live in an area that truly has both our safety and civil rights in mind. Having lived throughout the Southeast and interacted with various municipalities, Gwinnett is by far the most impressive."
Our sincere appreciation to the Academy instructors from Gwinnett Police, Gwinnett Sheriff's Office, Gwinnett District Attorney's Office, and GNR Public Health for their commitment to educating residents during our eight-week Academy.
We also thank our graduates' families and friends, District 1 Commissioner Kirkland Carden, members of the Gwinnett Police executive command staff, and our Honor Guard for joining in celebrating this special 50th graduating class.
| | Lace up and Skate with a Cop | | |
Join Gwinnett Police for a unique opportunity to meet and connect with local police officers outside of their traditional roles. Our upcoming Skate with a Cop event invites residents of all ages and experience, whether you're a beginner or seasoned skater, to enjoy a fun evening on the rink while getting to know the officers serving your community.
Skate with us on Thursday, November 5 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Sparkles Family Fun Center in Lawrenceville. Admission is $7 and includes skates. Non-skaters are admitted for free.
| | Rain or shine, community connections thrived at the Gwinnett Police Public Safety Fall Festival | | |
Gray skies and occasional rain showers were no match for the community spirit on display at the Gwinnett Police 17th annual Public Safety Fall Festival held at Gwinnett Field.
Residents from across Gwinnett County came out to enjoy an afternoon of family fun, public safety education, and community connection. Attendees explored a variety of new interactive displays designed to engage visitors of all ages. One of the festival's most popular attractions was the expanded Touch-a-Truck area, where children had the opportunity to climb aboard and explore police vehicles, fire trucks, specialty equipment, and other public safety vehicles. The hands-on experiences gave families a unique look at the tools and equipment used to serve and protect the community every day. Residents were entertained by a lively puppet show featuring the Safety Pals. Meanwhile, a DJ kept the energy high, providing a soundtrack that had residents dancing and enjoying the festive atmosphere.
The Public Safety Fall Festival showcased the strong partnership between Gwinnett Police and the community we serve. The event provided opportunities for residents to meet officers, learn about public safety programs, and build relationships in a welcoming and relaxed environment.
Thank you to all our exhibitors and agency partners who showed up for our residents. You helped make this year's Public Safety Fall Festival a great success. Watch the highlight video below for a snapshot of the fun.
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