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Cold weather is moving in, and now is the perfect time for all of us to get prepared. Winter storms can bring freezing temperatures, icy roads, power outages, and sudden changes that catch families off guard. The goal of this issue is simple. We want everyone in Brookhaven to feel ready, informed, and confident before the temperature drops.

Whether you are driving, walking, caring for kids or seniors, or checking on your home, a little planning today can prevent big problems later. Winter weather does not have to be stressful. With the right information and a few smart steps, we can keep ourselves and our neighbors safe through the season.

This issue will walk you through what to expect, what to prepare, and how to stay safe on the roads, in your home, and around the community. Brookhaven does best when we plan ahead, look out for one another, and take safety seriously before a storm arrives.

Let’s get ready together.

– Brookhaven Police Department

As we move into the winter season, one thing stays constant in Brookhaven. Our officers are ready. Rain, ice, freezing temperatures, or early morning frost, our patrol teams continue to show up and protect the people who call this city home.

Every shift brings something different, and our officers train year-round to respond to anything winter might throw our way. From traffic crashes on slick roads to helping stranded drivers, checking on unhoused neighbors, and supporting families during severe weather, their commitment never changes.

If you missed some of the recent moments of our team in action, take a look at these two short clips that show the kind of work happening behind the scenes:

These videos remind us of the dedication, teamwork, and heart our officers bring to Brookhaven every day. No matter what the forecast says, our team is always prepared to keep our community safe.

This month, we are proud to spotlight First Baptist Church Atlanta for their heart to keep women in their community safe and confident, especially during the busy holiday season.

One of their members, who is also a strong supporter of Brookhaven, recognized a need. She wanted the women of her church to feel more prepared, more aware, and more confident as they move through their daily lives. She reached out, and our Community Engagement Unit was honored to answer the call.

Together, we hosted a women’s self defense class that focused on practical tools, mindset, and using the strengths people already have. At the beginning of the class, several women rated their confidence below a five. By the end, many of them reported feeling like a seven or higher. That kind of shift is powerful. It is a real example of how training, encouragement, and community support can change how someone walks through the world.

This partnership is a true testament to how committed the Brookhaven Police Department is to helping people feel safe, not just on paper, but in real life situations.

If your organization or community group would like to host a women’s self defense class, please email Sgt. Moore at [email protected]. We would be glad to work with you.

This week, our Community Hero is the prepared neighbor. The person who takes a moment to check on someone who lives alone. The person who makes sure the senior down the street has heat and working lights. The person who looks out during power outages, icy mornings, and cold nights and says, “Are you good?”

Winter weather can be unpredictable, but prepared neighbors make it easier for all of us. They wrap pipes before the freeze. They share a flashlight when the power goes out. They call when something looks off. They remind others to stay off the roads when conditions are unsafe. And sometimes, they simply reassure someone who is nervous about the cold.

These are the quiet heroes who create safer streets and stronger connections long before an emergency happens.

To every prepared neighbor in Brookhaven, thank you for the way you show up. You make our city safer, kinder, and more resilient.

The holidays are here, and we are getting ready for one of our favorite traditions in Brookhaven, Shop With a Badge. This event gives children in our community a chance to shop with officers, choose gifts, and experience a morning filled with joy and connection.

If you would like to help make this day even more special, we welcome donations that support the children who will be participating this year. Every contribution, big or small, helps us give a child a brighter holiday season.

If donating is something you would like to do, please reach out to [email protected]. We are grateful for every person who chooses to be a part of this effort.

Together, we can bring smiles to families who need it most.

Winter is here, and if you are a new student driver, this might be your first time driving in cold weather, rain, or slick roads. Just like prepared neighbors look out for each other during winter storms, prepared drivers look out for themselves and everyone on the road.

Here are a few things every new driver should remember:

Slow down when the roads are wet.
Rain makes roads slippery fast. Give yourself extra time to brake, and keep more space between you and the car in front of you.

Turn your headlights on.
Even during the day. Rain and cloudy weather make it harder for other drivers to see you, and visibility is everything when conditions change.

Do not panic if your car slips.
Take your foot off the gas, keep your hands steady on the wheel, and let the car correct. Jerking the wheel or slamming the brakes makes skidding worse.

Stay away from flooded areas.
Even shallow water can stall your car or hide dangerous dips in the road. If the road is covered, turn around.

Put your phone away.
Driving in winter weather requires your full attention. Distractions are even more dangerous when the roads are slick.

Be a prepared driver.
Check your tires, keep your gas tank above half, and ask someone if you are unsure about driving in certain conditions.

Just like a prepared neighbor looks out for their community, a prepared student driver helps keep Brookhaven safe. Your choices on the road matter. Drive smart, drive alert, and make sure you are ready for whatever winter brings

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]

Date: December 3, 2025
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road

Light Up Brookhaven is back, and this year’s celebration promises to be bigger, brighter, and full of holiday magic for the entire community. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors for an evening packed with festive fun, food, and entertainment.

The event features holiday music, giveaways, and seasonal activities leading up to the dramatic arrival of Santa, flown in by the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta helicopter. Santa will help light Brookhaven’s dazzling 40 foot Christmas tree, and Rabbi Brian Glusman will return once again to light the City’s Hanukah Menorah and dreidel.

Enjoy a lineup of local music groups, a petting zoo, Winter Wonderland bouncy houses, festive train rides, and plenty of photo opportunities with Santa and his live reindeer. Keep an eye out for a special visit from The Grinch who is sure to bring a little mischief to the evening.

Food trucks will be on-site with warm seasonal treats, and the Girl Scouts will be selling hot chocolate to help take the chill out of the night.

This joyful tradition brings our community together to celebrate the season. You will not want to miss it.

Time: 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Location: Target, 2400 N. Druid Hills Road, Brookhaven

It’s that time of year again, one of our favorite traditions at the Brookhaven Police Department!

Join us for Shop with a Badge as officers, firefighters, and first responders team up with local kids for a morning filled with smiles, laughter, and holiday spirit. Each child is paired with an officer for a special shopping experience at Target — choosing gifts, essentials, and spreading cheer throughout the aisles.

This event isn’t just about shopping, it’s about connection, compassion, and community. It’s an opportunity for our officers to give back and for local children to experience the holidays with hope and joy.

💛 Want to Help?
You can sponsor a child or make a donation to support this event. Every contribution helps bring a little more light to a family’s holiday season.
To get involved, email [email protected] or scan the QR code on the flyer.

Date: Sunday, December 21
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Briarwood Recreation Center | 2235 Briarwood Road, Brookhaven, GA 30329

What to Expect:
• Toys for children of all ages
• Music and entertainment
• Family friendly activities
• Refreshments and holiday fun

Registration:
Registration opens November 21. Families must complete the registration form to receive toys. Scan the QR code on the flyer to sign up. Space is limited, so register early.

How You Can Help:
Donations, volunteers, and community partnerships are welcome. If you would like to support this event, email [email protected].

Come join us as we celebrate the season and make a difference for families right here in Brookhaven.

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

Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241), drivers may not physically hold or support a wireless phone or electronic device while operating a vehicle. That means no texting, no scrolling social media, no watching videos, and no holding the phone, even at a stop light.

The only exceptions:

We’ve seen more and more drivers in our city with their heads down, phones in hand, even during rain, dark nights, or heavy traffic. Distracted driving isn’t just illegal. It’s deadly.

Every second your attention leaves the road is another second someone else’s safety is at risk. Whether you’re heading to work, driving kids, or just running errands, putting down the phone is one of the most powerful choices you can make to protect yourself and others.

The laws are clear. The risks are real. And the decision is simple: phone down, eyes up, wheels forward.

Brookhaven is safer when we all follow the rules and watch out for one another.

Winter has a way of reminding us what matters. Roads get slick. Weather gets unpredictable. Life gets busy. But even in the middle of all that movement, we have power in the choices we make.

Every time you silence your phone before driving, you protect someone you may never meet. Every time you choose patience instead of rushing, you make the roads safer for the families around you. Every time you check on a neighbor or help someone prepare for colder days, you prove what kind of community Brookhaven truly is.

Safety is not just a rule. It is an act of care. A small daily decision that tells the people around you, “I want you to get home too.”

This winter, let’s move with intention. Let’s look out for one another. And let’s remember that the safest cities are built not by perfect conditions, but by people who choose to care, even in the cold.

Brookhaven, keep showing up. The way you live makes a difference.

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

Q: If I'm stopped at a red light, can I legally pick up my phone to check a text?

A: No. In Georgia, the Hands Free Law still applies even when your vehicle is stopped in traffic or at a light. You cannot hold your phone, read a message, send a message, or scroll while you are behind the wheel. The law is clear. If your car is in drive, your hands must be off your phone.

This rule exists for a reason. Many winter crashes happen at intersections because drivers look down for “just a second.” Wet roads, foggy mornings, and early sunsets make those seconds even more dangerous. If you need to read or send something, pull into a parking space and stop completely.

Your attention can prevent a crash. Your focus can save a life. Stay alert so everyone gets home safe.

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