Welcome to Brookline Patch!

The first time I covered a meeting in Brookline, the cops were called.

It was supposed to be a boring meeting story, the kind of late-night assignment you'd only give to the new guy. But like most every issue I've reported on in Brookline over the last three years, the matter on that agenda was vitally important to some – important enough, in this case, to spark a shouting match that ended in a call to police.

I haven't seen anything quite like that since, but it's come close. The thing is, Brookline is a town with a city's worth of news. People here care, and care passionately, about what happens in their neighborhood, on their street and, yes, in their own proverbial backyard. And I'm here to tell you exactly what's going on in your backyard, just as I have for the last three years as a reporter and, later, editor for the Brookline TAB.

I'm eager to continue that work with Brookline Patch, a site designed specifically to be able to keep up with a town like Brookline. Together with a team of freelancers, I'll be reporting every day of the week on what's happening in Town Hall, on the streets and in the schools. We'll be bringing you timely photos and video, and inviting you to add your own and help us give the most complete picture of the life and times of Brookline.

All this news is backed up with a massive directory of pretty much everything in town: restaurants, shops, churches, schools, parks, libraries and everything else. With nearly everything you read on Brookline Patch, our maps will show you exactly where it happened and what's nearby. Use our directory to plan your night out in Coolidge Corner, choose a preschool close to home, or just learn more about what's going on in your part of town. On top of that, Brookline Patch is loaded with a huge community calendar of events occurring all over town, and you're welcome to add your own for free.

If there's one thing I've learned from working in Brookline over the last three years, it's that everybody has at least one, and probably two, really good stories to tell. If you've got a story like that, give me a call, shoot me an e-mail or find us on Twitter or Facebook. I can't wait to hear from you.

Your editor,

Neal Simpson