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:

The Brookhaven Snapshot: This week in Brookhaven

We’re taking a moment to recognize the people behind the badge who work every day to serve our community.

At our annual awards ceremony, the department honored several members of our team for their exceptional service during 2025. These awards recognize individuals who demonstrated leadership, professionalism, and a strong commitment to the safety and well-being of the Brookhaven community.

We are proud to congratulate our Officer of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, and Civilian of the Year, whose dedication reflects the values that guide our department each day.

We also want to recognize and celebrate the many other officers and professional staff members who received awards and commendations during the ceremony. Each recognition reflects the dedication, teamwork, and commitment that helps make Brookhaven a safer community.

Moments like this remind us that strong communities are built through service, teamwork, and a shared commitment to doing what’s right.

Information & Recognition

Each year, the Brookhaven Police Department recognizes members of our team who have gone above and beyond in their service to the community.

These awards highlight individuals who demonstrate professionalism, leadership, and dedication in their daily work, whether responding to calls, supporting investigations, assisting residents, or helping keep operations running smoothly behind the scenes.

This year we are proud to recognize:

🏆 Officer of the Year - Officer C. Johnson
🏆 Supervisor of the Year - Sgt. D. Stewart
🏆 Civilian of the Year - Property & Evidence J. Green

These awards represent more than individual achievements. They reflect the teamwork, commitment, and professionalism shown by the entire Brookhaven Police Department.

We are grateful for the officers and professional staff who serve Brookhaven with integrity every day.

Community Message from Brookhaven Police

With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, many residents and visitors will be out celebrating with friends, family, and neighbors across Brookhaven. Holidays like this are a great opportunity for our community to come together and enjoy the restaurants, events, and local businesses that make our city such a vibrant place to live.

As celebrations take place, we encourage everyone to be mindful and look out for one another. Planning ahead and making responsible choices helps ensure that everyone can enjoy the festivities safely.

Our officers will be out throughout the city during the holiday, working to keep our roads and public spaces safe while residents celebrate.

Brookhaven has always been a community that looks out for one another, and moments like these are a reminder that we are always better together.

– Brookhaven Police Department

Celebrating Safely on St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is a time for friends, celebrations, and enjoying the many restaurants and gathering spots throughout Brookhaven. With more people out celebrating, it’s also a good opportunity to remember that responsible choices help ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Our officers will be out throughout the city during the holiday, helping keep roads and public spaces safe while residents and visitors celebrate.

If you plan to celebrate, a little planning ahead can go a long way toward preventing problems and making sure everyone gets home safely.

10 Ways to Celebrate Safely

Plan ahead for a safe ride home.
Before the celebration begins, decide how you’ll get home safely if alcohol is involved.

Use a rideshare, taxi, or designated driver.
Choosing a sober driver or arranging a ride in advance helps prevent impaired driving and keeps everyone on the road safer.

Stay with friends and look out for one another.
Celebrating with a group and checking in with each other throughout the night helps ensure no one is left in an uncomfortable or unsafe situation.

Keep personal belongings secure.
Busy celebrations can create opportunities for theft, so keep phones, wallets, and purses close and avoid leaving items unattended.

Be aware of your surroundings.
Crowded areas can be distracting. Taking a moment to stay alert and aware of what’s happening around you can help prevent problems.

Celebrate responsibly.
Pacing yourself and knowing your limits can help you enjoy the holiday while staying in control of your decisions.

Respect local businesses and neighborhoods.
Brookhaven’s restaurants and gathering places work hard to make celebrations enjoyable, and respecting the spaces we share helps keep the community welcoming for everyone.

Avoid leaving drinks unattended.
If you step away from your drink, it’s always safest to get a new one rather than returning to it.

Speak up if something doesn’t seem right.
If you notice concerning behavior or a situation that doesn’t feel safe, notify venue staff or contact the police.

Make decisions that keep everyone safe.
The best celebrations are the ones where everyone gets home safely at the end of the night.

Community Spotlight: Supporting Efforts to End Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is an issue that affects communities everywhere, and prevention starts with awareness, support, and resources for those who need them most. Across DeKalb County, organizations continue working every day to provide assistance, advocacy, and safe shelter for survivors and their families.

One upcoming event is helping bring attention to this important cause while raising critical support for victim services.

The DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s Office, led by Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling, will host its annual “Dancing with the DeKalb Stars” community fundraiser on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center in Decatur.

This event brings together community leaders and local professionals for an evening of entertainment while raising funds to support domestic violence prevention and victim assistance programs throughout DeKalb County.

Proceeds from the event will benefit International Women’s House and the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence, organizations that provide shelter, advocacy, and critical support services for survivors and their families.

Community members are encouraged to attend, support the event, or help spread the word about this important initiative.

🎟 Tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and donation information are available here:
https://cbo.io/app/public/bidapp/dekalbstars

Crime Prevention - Protecting Your Personal Information Online

Many crimes today begin online, often through stolen personal information. Criminals may use email, social media, or compromised accounts to gather details that can later be used for fraud or identity theft.

Sometimes these attempts come in the form of messages that appear to be from trusted organizations, asking individuals to verify personal information, reset passwords, or click unfamiliar links. In other cases, criminals may try to access accounts by guessing weak passwords or using information shared publicly online.

Taking steps to protect your digital information can help reduce these risks. Using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and being cautious when opening unexpected messages or links can make it significantly harder for criminals to gain access to your accounts.

Just as we lock our doors to protect our homes, protecting our online information is an important step in preventing crime and safeguarding personal identity.

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]

Citizen Police Academy

Dates: March 18 - May 20, 2026 (English) and March 19 - May 21, 2026 (Spanish) (Spanish Postponed until late August 2026).
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Brookhaven Police Dept. 1793 Briarwood Rd NE

Ever wondered what it actually takes to keep Brookhaven safe? Now is your chance to go behind the scenes with the Brookhaven Police Department!

Applications are officially open for the 2026 Citizens Police Academy!

This free, 10-week program gives you an inside look at:
Criminal Investigations
Use of Force
Patrol Functions
Police Technology
911 Communications & more!

Whether you want to learn more about how your department works or just want to become a better-informed neighbor, this program is for you.

📅 When: Starts March 18th 2026 (Classes held weekly from 7 PM – 9 PM)
📍 Where: Brookhaven Police Department
👥 Who: Residents/business owners 21+
💰 Cost: FREE!

Don't wait accepting applications up until the first day of class.

Coffee and Conversations

Dates: March 17, 2026
Time: 8-9:30am
Location: Starbucks, 3901 Peachtree Rd

There is no agenda. No speeches. No presentations.

Just coffee and a chance to ask questions, voice concerns, share ideas, and get to know the officers who serve your neighborhood.

Events like this are part of what makes Brookhaven Strong. They create space for real dialogue. They allow us to listen. They help us understand what matters most to you before there is ever a problem to solve.

Whether you have a specific question or just want to stop by and say hello, we would love to see you.

Bring a neighbor. Bring a question. Or just bring yourself.

We will save you a seat.

Lynwood Park Day Spirit Night Fundraiser

Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: 4058 Peachtree Rd NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319

Community members are invited to support Lynwood Park Day 2026 by attending the Mellow Mushroom Spirit Night Fundraiser. During the event, 15% of all sales will be donated to the cause, helping support the Lynwood Park Foundation and the community events that bring neighbors together each year.

Residents can participate by dining in or placing a pickup order during the fundraiser hours. Simply present the event flyer when ordering so your purchase can be counted toward the fundraiser.

This is a great opportunity to enjoy a meal with friends and family while supporting a local community initiative that helps make Brookhaven such a vibrant place to live.

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.

Brookhaven Strong

Brookhaven is more than just a place to live, it’s a community built on connection, service, and people looking out for one another.

Whether it’s officers serving our neighborhoods, residents supporting local events, or community partners working together to make a difference, these everyday efforts help strengthen the safety and spirit of our city.

The Brookhaven Police Department is proud to work alongside residents, businesses, and community organizations that share a commitment to keeping Brookhaven a welcoming place for everyone.

Together, through awareness, partnership, and community pride, we continue building a safer and stronger Brookhaven.

That’s what it means to be Brookhaven Strong.

— The Brookhaven Police Department

Did You Know

Have a Question? We’ve Got Answers!

Many online accounts are compromised simply because passwords are reused across multiple websites.

When the same password is used for several accounts, a single data breach can allow criminals to access email, social media, or financial accounts connected to that password.

Using unique passwords for each account and enabling multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection and makes it much harder for criminals to gain access to personal information.

Taking a few moments to strengthen your account security today can help prevent identity theft and fraud in the future.

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

Stay Connected

The Brookhaven Police Department is committed to staying connected with the community we serve.

Follow us for updates, safety information, and community events throughout the year.

Together, we can continue building a safer Brookhaven.

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