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:
Brookhaven, this one is packed, and for good reason.
February has been a full month. Between hitting the icy waters at Acworth Beach for the Polar Plunge, responding to your questions about e-bikes and off-road vehicles, and watching cybercrime continue to rise across the metro area, there's been no shortage of things to talk about. So this week, we're talking about all of it.
We'll be honest with you, the conversations around e-bikes, dirt bikes, and off-road vehicles haven't always been easy ones. But they're necessary. Our community deserves to know exactly where the lines are, and our job is to make sure you have that information before something goes wrong, not after. That's the whole point of this newsletter, and it's the whole point of this department.
On the cybersecurity front, the threats are real, and they're growing. But the good news is that protecting yourself doesn't require a computer science degree. It requires a few smart habits, and we've laid them all out for you in plain English inside this issue.
And in the middle of all of it? Our team jumped into freezing cold water with some incredible members of this community for an incredible cause. That's Brookhaven. That's exactly who you are.
As always, we're grateful to serve this city. Please dig in, share what resonates, and don't hesitate to reach out to me.
We're always in your corner.
– Brookhaven Police Department
Dirt Bikes, E-Motors & Off-Road Vehicles: What Every Brookhaven Family Needs to Know
If you caught our video last week, you already know this is a conversation our community needs to have. We're not here to be the fun police, but we do need to talk about where the line is, because right now, too many riders are crossing it without even realizing it.
Here's what's legal, what's not, and why it matters.
🏍️ Dirt Bikes
Dirt bikes are not legal on public roads, sidewalks, or parks in Brookhaven…period. Georgia law is clear: unless a dirt bike has been modified, registered, and insured to meet street-legal requirements, it stays off public property. Riders also must be at least 16, and anyone under 18 needs a DOT-approved helmet every single time (OCGA § 40-6-315).
No tags. No registration. No riding in public.
🚜 ATVs & Off-Road Vehicles
Under both Georgia law (OCGA § 40-7-3) and Brookhaven City Code (Sec. 17-397), ATVs and off-road vehicles belong on private land or designated off-road trails — not our parks, streets, or greenways.
There's also a rule many people don't know about: it's illegal to operate any off-road vehicle within 1,000 feet of a home, church, business, or public meeting place between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. That covers most of our neighborhoods and parks entirely.
Brookhaven officers have the authority to stop and inspect any off-road vehicle at any time (Sec. 17-396). If it's being operated illegally, it can be impounded on the spot.
⚡ Electric Motors & E-Bikes
E-bikes are legal in Georgia, but only if they meet specific requirements. A legal e-bike must have working pedals, a motor no larger than 750 watts, and cannot exceed 20 mph on its own (OCGA § 40-1-1). Riders under 16 need a helmet, and Class 3 riders must be at least 15.
The key thing to understand: if it has no pedals or goes faster than 20 mph, it's not an e-bike under Georgia law, it's a motor vehicle, and it needs a license, registration, and insurance to be on public roads.
The Simple Rule
If it doesn't have a license plate and a registered tag, it doesn't belong on a Brookhaven road, sidewalk, or park.
We'd much rather educate than cite. But when 911 calls come in as they did recently, we respond every time. Because the safety of every person in this community is worth it.
Questions? Email [email protected] or visit brookhavenga.gov/police.
Ride smart. Ride legally. Ride Brookhaven.
Community Spotlight: They Took the Plunge and We Couldn’t Be More Proud
Cold water. Big hearts. And a whole lot of Brookhaven showing up for each other.
This past Saturday, members of the Brookhaven Police Department joined donors and community supporters at Acworth Beach for the 2026 Polar Plunge, and what a day it was. The team jumped in headfirst (literally) for an incredible cause, and every shiver was absolutely worth it.
To everyone who donated, cheered us on, or took the plunge alongside us, thank you. Events like this remind us why we love serving this community. It’s not just about the badge. It’s about showing up, being present, and doing good together, even when the water is absolutely freezing.
This is what Better Together looks like in action.
We can’t wait to do it again.
Crime Prevention - Online Safety is a Must
Your Password Is Not "Password123" — Is It?
No judgment. But we need to talk.
Cybercrime is one of the fastest-growing threats facing our community and the scary part is that most of it doesn't happen through high-tech hacking. It happens because of small, everyday habits that leave the door wide open. The good news? A few simple changes can make you a much harder target.
Here's what every Brookhaven resident needs to know.
🔑 Password Safety: Lock It Down
Think of your password like the key to your front door. You wouldn't use the same key for your house, your car, and your office, so why use the same password for your email, your bank, and your social media?
Here's what a strong password looks like in practice:
Make it long. At least 12 characters. The longer, the better.
Mix it up. Use a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Never reuse passwords. If one account gets compromised, you don't want them all to fall.
Use a password manager. Apps like Bitwarden or 1Password store all your passwords securely so you only have to remember one.
Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). This adds a second layer of protection, even if someone gets your password, they still can't get in without your phone or email confirmation.
And please, no birthdays, pet names, or anything someone could find on your Facebook page.
🚫 What Not to Share Online
Oversharing online is one of the easiest ways to become a target — and most people don't realize they're doing it. Before you post, ask yourself: could this information help someone find me, rob me, or steal my identity?
Here's what to keep off social media and public websites:
Your full date of birth. It's a key piece of information used to verify your identity.
Your home address. Even in neighborhood groups, be cautious about who can see it.
Vacation plans in real time. Posting "Off to Florida for two weeks! 🌴" is essentially announcing your home is empty.
Photos with location tags. Many phones automatically embed location data in photos. Turn this off in your settings.
Financial information. Never post photos of checks, bank statements, or new credit cards.
Your child's school or daily routine. This one is especially important for parents.
📧 Phishing & Scam Emails: Think Before You Click
Phishing emails are designed to look exactly like messages from your bank, the IRS, Amazon, or even the police department. They create a sense of urgency, "Your account has been compromised! Click here immediately!" and count on you to panic and act fast. Don't.
Here's how to spot a phishing attempt before it's too late:
Check the sender's email address carefully. A scammer might use "[email protected]" instead of "amazon.com" one character off.
Hover before you click. Before clicking any link, hover your mouse over it to see where it actually goes.
Legitimate organizations will never ask for your password, Social Security number, or payment information via email.
When in doubt, go directly to the source. If you get an email claiming to be from your bank, don't click the link, open a new browser tab and go to your bank's website directly.
Report suspicious emails. Forward phishing attempts to [email protected] or your email provider's spam team.
If you think you've already been scammed, act quickly, contact your bank, change your passwords, and file a report at IC3.gov (the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center).
💙 Found this helpful? Forward this newsletter to a neighbor. Cybercriminals count on people not knowing these thing, so the more we share, the safer we all are.
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)
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 2026 (Classes held weekly from 7 PM – 9 PM)
📍 Where: Brookhaven Police Department
👥 Who: Residents/business owners 21+
💰 Cost: FREE!
Don't wait—applications are due by March 9th!
👉 Apply here: https://www.brookhavenga.gov/468/Citizens-Police-Academy
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
This Is Something to Be Proud Of
Look around.
Tree-lined streets. Neighbors who wave. A community that shows up for each other at polar plunges, school events, and neighborhood watch meetings without being asked twice.
Brookhaven isn't perfect — no place is. But what this city has is something a lot of communities spend years trying to build and never quite get there. A genuine sense of pride. A real feeling of home.
We see it every single day on the job. And it never gets old.
Take a moment this week to appreciate what you're part of. Then do one small thing to make it even better, pick up a piece of litter, introduce yourself to a neighbor you don't know yet, or simply tell someone in your community that you're glad they're here.
Pride isn't just a feeling. It's a practice.
— The Brookhaven Police Department
Engage with Us
Have a Question? We’ve Got Answers!
Q: Can my kid ride their e-bike to school legally?
A: Great Question! And one we’re hearing a lot right now. the short answer is: it depends on the bike.
First, do the Pedal Test. Does the bike have fully working pedals? If yes, it may qualify as an electric bicycle under Georgia law. If it only has foot pegs and no pedals, it is legally a motor vehicle and your child cannot ride it on public roads, sidewalks, or trails regardless of age.
If it does have pedals, here's what Georgia law requires for school-age riders:
Riders under 16 must wear a helmet every single time, no exceptions. For Class 3 e-bikes — those that can reach up to 28 mph — riders must be at least 15 years old. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, which top out at 20 mph, have no minimum age requirement under state law, but your child must still follow all standard traffic laws, stopping at lights, riding with traffic, and staying off sidewalks where prohibited.
The safest thing you can do before your child rides to school is check the bike's label for its class, confirm the pedals work, and make sure they have a properly fitted helmet. When in doubt, give us a call or email us at [email protected] and we'll help you figure it out.
We'd rather answer your question today than respond to an incident tomorrow.
Got a question? Submit it here, and we might feature it in the next issue!