Backpacks, Block Parties & Big Impact

We’re gearing up for National Night Out and sharing tips to keep kids safe, informed, and supported from the sidewalks to the schoolyard. Let’s build something powerful together.

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Community Engagement
July 07, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 13 minutes

Welcome to the Brookhaven Community Pulse. Your weekly guide to staying informed, safe and connected with our community.

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In this week's issue:

Stronger Together, Brookhaven—One Night, One Community

Community doesn’t just happen: it’s built, block by block, neighbor by neighbor, and night by night. That’s exactly what we’re doing on Tuesday, August 5th from 6–9 PM at the Briarwood Recreation Center (2235 Briarwood Way) and you’re invited.

Join us for our National Night Out: Back to School Bash, a powerful evening of connection, celebration, and service. This free, family-friendly event is all about bringing Brookhaven together with:

🎶 Live music
💈 Free haircuts & hairstyles
🎒 Back-to-school supplies
🚒 Touch-a-Truck fun
👟 Teen summit resources
🍿 Food, games, and more!

This event is proudly sponsored by:
Dream Teens Community Foundation, Lynwood Park Foundation, Brookhaven Police Department, City of Brookhaven Parks & Recreation, and Honors Sports Academy, all working together to strengthen community ties and support our youth.

Since 1984, National Night Out has been a nationwide movement to promote stronger bonds between communities and the officers who serve them. It’s more than a party, it’s a message: Brookhaven stands united.

Mark your calendar, bring your neighbors, and let’s build something bigger together.

Community Heroes: Honors Sports Academy—Developing Champions On and Off the Field

This week, we proudly recognize Honors Sports Academy as our Community Hero. More than just a training ground for athletic skills, Honors is a powerful partner in shaping character, leadership, and purpose in the youth of Brookhaven.

Through mentorship, workshops, and hands-on coaching, Honors Sports Academy goes beyond the scoreboard, teaching students what it means to lead with integrity, strive for excellence, and be accountable both on and off the court.

Their mission aligns seamlessly with our goals at Brookhaven Police Department: to invest in the next generation not only through safety and service, but through collaboration with community leaders who care deeply about our youth.

Whether it’s hosting a teen summit, leading a basketball clinic, or partnering for National Night Out, Honors Sports Academy continues to show what it means to build well-rounded young people who are prepared for the game and for life.

Thank you, Honors Sports Academy, for helping us raise champions in the community, not just on the court.

Traffic Safety Tips: Never Leave a Child in the Car, Not Even for a Minute

Did you know that 52% of child heatstroke deaths happen because a caregiver simply forgot a child was inside a vehicle?

It’s a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy and one we all have the power to stop.

Take action. If you see a child alone in a car call 911 immediately. Emergency personnel are trained to respond quickly, and your call could save a life.

Here’s what to remember:

  • A child’s body heats up 3–5 times faster than an adult’s

  • Cracking a window doesn’t make it safe

  • Heatstroke can happen in minutes, even on cloudy days

Build a habit:

  • Place a personal item (like your phone or purse) in the back seat as a reminder

  • Set alerts on your phone

  • Ask your childcare provider to call if your child doesn’t arrive on time

Let’s protect Brookhaven’s children—together.
🔗 Learn more about heatstroke prevention

#TrafficTipTuesday #LookBeforeYouLock #BrookhavenPD #ChildSafety

If you see something, say something. Your call could make all the difference. For emergencies, always dial 911.

Brookhaven Police Department

Community Events

If you are interested in volunteering or would like Brookhaven Police to join one of your events or engagements, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]

Brookhaven Police Spanish Citizens Police Academy - Now Enrolling
📆 Wednesday, July 9th - September 10th | Every Wednesday at 7:00 PM
📍 Brookhaven Police Department - 1793 Briarwood Rd, Brookhaven, GA 30329

Ever wanted to see what it’s like to be a Brookhaven Police Officer? The Citizens Spanish Police Academy is your opportunity to learn firsthand about law enforcement operations, training, and community policing. Engage with officers, participate in hands-on activities, and gain a deeper understanding of how the Brookhaven Police Department serves the community.

🔹 Who can join? Brookhaven residents, business owners, and community members.
🔹 How to sign up? Spaces are limited—secure yours today!

Brookhaven Police Spanish Citizen Police Academy 2025

Hot Pursuit 5K Glow Run – Let’s Light Up the Greenway

📆 Saturday, August 23, 2025
📍 Peachtree Creek Greenway | 1793 Briarwood Rd, Brookhaven, GA
🕗 Race Start: 8:00 PM

Brookhaven’s favorite glow-up event is back bigger, brighter, and on the beautiful Peachtree Creek Greenway!

Join the Brookhaven Police Department for the Hot Pursuit 5K Glow Run, where runners, walkers, families, and supporters come together for a night of fitness, fun, and purpose. This event features a certified 5K course, a 1-mile Fun Run, and a Tot Trot for our youngest racers.

Proceeds support our Shop with a Badge program bringing holiday joy to local children and building bridges between officers and the community we serve.

All participants receive a glow shirt and race swag
Stay for the music, lights, and post-race fun
Register early to guarantee your shirt size!

Run with us. Glow with us. Make a difference.

Brookhaven Police Teen Academy

📆 July 28 – August 1, 2025
🕘 Daily | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Brookhaven Police Department

Calling all future leaders Brookhaven Teen Academy is here!

This free, five-day course is open to teens ages 13–19 and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the daily operations of the Brookhaven Police Department. From patrol and investigations to K-9 and SWAT demos, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the role officers play in keeping our community safe.

Each day includes both instructional learning and hands-on activities, giving students the chance to ask questions, explore scenarios, and even experience the challenges officers face on duty.

Whether you’re curious about law enforcement or just want a powerful, eye-opening summer experience this academy delivers.

🎯 Space is limited, secure your spot today by completing this form!

National Night Out – Back to School Bash

📆 Tuesday, August 5, 2025
🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Briarwood Recreation Center
2235 Briarwood Way, Brookhaven, GA 30329

Brookhaven it’s time to bring the energy, the unity, and the community spirit!

Join us for a vibrant evening at our National Night Out: Back to School Bash, where fun meets purpose. Designed for all ages, this free event is a celebration of neighborhood connection and public safety, just in time for the new school year.

🎶 Live DJ + Music
🎒 Free Back-to-School Supplies
💈 Haircuts & Hairstyles for Students
👟 Teen Summit Resources
🚒 Touch-a-Truck & Emergency Vehicle Displays
🏀 Games, Vendors, Food & Family Fun

This celebration is made possible by our incredible partners:
Dream Teens Community Foundation, Lynwood Park Foundation, Brookhaven Police Department, Brookhaven Parks and Recreation, and Honors Sports Academy.

Bring the kids. Bring your neighbors. And bring your community pride.
Let’s show what Brookhaven is made of: strong neighborhoods and powerful partnerships.

Resources and Programs

Resources

  • Brookhaven Alert powered by Smart911 is the official emergency notification system used by the City of Brookhaven to communicate with residents during emergencies.

  • If you are a Brookhaven resident and you leave for home for an extended period of time you can sign up for our Residential Checks.

  • We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our residents and business. One way we do that is by providing free security assessments to our residents and local businesses.

  • If you have a traffic complaint, we are here to listen.

  • The City of Brookhaven Offers Brookhaven Connect, a free smart phone app for citizens to report problems like potholes, code violations or sidewalk issues.

Programs

  • The Brookhaven Citizen Police Academy is designed to provide community members with an overview of how their local Police Department works.

  • Citizens on Patrol (COPs) is a community policing program sponsored by the Brookhaven Police Department.

  • The Brookhaven Police Department’s “Operation Plugged In” is a police/community video partnership that operates on a voluntary basis with the homeowners, neighborhoods & business owners who own private video security systems that record public areas such as roads, parking lots and sidewalks.

  • Learn more about our unmanned aerial systems (UAS) unit and view their flight history.

Download our Brookhaven Police App to stay in the know while you are on the go.

Crime Prevention

Keeping Kids Safe Starts With Awareness

When it comes to protecting children, prevention starts with attention. Whether they’re heading back to school, playing outside, or riding in the car, staying alert and informed is the first line of defense.

Here are a few important reminders to help keep our kids safe every day:

Know who’s around – Whether at parks, recreation centers, or even in your own neighborhood, always keep an eye on unfamiliar activity around children.

Teach personal boundaries – Talk to your child about safe and unsafe touch, and make sure they know how to say no and who to talk to if something feels wrong.

Limit unsupervised screen time – Monitor what apps your children use and who they’re communicating with. Predators often target children online.

Secure your home and car – Unlocked doors can lead to dangerous situations. Always keep doors locked, and never leave kids unattended in or around a vehicle.

Encourage open communication – Let your children know they can come to you with questions, fears, or anything that feels “off.” Being approachable could make all the difference.

Brookhaven PD is committed to working with parents, schools, and community partners to ensure every child grows up safe, seen, and supported. If you ever see something concerning, speak up. We’re in this together.

Brookhaven Strong

Little Steps, Big Impact

You don’t have to change the world in one day to make a difference.

Sometimes it’s checking in on a neighbor.
Sometimes it’s holding a child’s hand a little tighter when crossing the street.
Sometimes it’s just showing up with intention, kindness, and care.

The truth is, the smallest actions often leave the deepest impact especially when it comes to protecting and uplifting others.

This week, we challenge you to take one small step toward community connection.
Because when we each do a little, together we do a lot.

Engage with Us

Have a Question? We’ve Got Answers!
This section answers questions submitted by our community. Here’s one we received recently:

Q: I need to retrieve some property. Is the Brookhaven Police Department’s Property & Evidence Room currently open?

A: The Property & Evidence Room will be temporarily closed starting Monday, July 7 due to scheduled air conditioning installation. This closure will affect all property returns and public appointments during the project, which is expected to last 3–4 business days.

We anticipate resuming normal operations on Monday, July 14, and appointments for property returns will be available at that time.

We appreciate your patience as we make improvements to better serve you. If you have an urgent question, please contact the department directly.

Got a question? Submit it here, and we might feature it in the next issue!

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