Community First, Always: From Celebration to Safety”

This issue honors our Citizens Police Academy graduates, raises awareness for mental health and motorcycle safety, and highlights partnerships that power progress in Brookhaven. From crime prevention to connection—this one’s packed with purpose.

Author

Community Engagement
May 12, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 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:

Hats Off to Our Citizens Police Academy Class of 2025!

We’re excited to begin this issue by giving a well-deserved round of applause to the Citizens Police Academy Class of 2025! 🎉

Over the past several weeks, this outstanding group of residents and community members showed up with curiosity, dedication, and a genuine desire to understand the inner workings of the Brookhaven Police Department. From in-depth sessions to meaningful discussions, they asked thoughtful questions, challenged perspectives, and built connections that make our community stronger.

To our newest graduates—thank you. Your commitment to learning and engaging makes a difference, and we’re proud to call you part of the extended Brookhaven PD family.

Let’s keep the momentum going as we continue working together for a safer, more connected Brookhaven.

Community Heroes: Georgia Bike Alliance – Pedaling Toward a Safer Brookhaven

This week, we're giving a huge shoutout to our friends at the Georgia Bike Alliance, a dedicated group working to make biking safer, smarter, and more accessible across our community.

We had the pleasure of teaming up with them for Pedal in the Parks, an awesome event that brought together riders of all ages for a fun and educational day on two wheels. Brookhaven Police was on hand to provide bike safety resources, share tips for riding confidently on our roads, and join in for a ride through our own city streets.

Whether you bike for fun, fitness, or transportation, the Georgia Bike Alliance is doing the work to build a more connected, bike-friendly Brookhaven—and we’re proud to ride alongside them.

Check them out at brookhavenbikealliance.org to learn more and get involved!

Pedal in the Parks 2025

Traffic Safety Tips: May is Motorcycle Awareness Month – Let’s All Ride & Drive Smart

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, and with the warm weather rolling in, we’re seeing more motorcycles out on the roads—and we love it. But with more riders comes greater responsibility for everyone on the road.

To all drivers:
✔️ #LookTwice before changing lanes or turning.
✔️ Check your blind spots—seriously, check again.
✔️ Give motorcycles plenty of space—tailgating a motorcycle can be deadly.
✔️ Slow down and stay alert, especially in traffic or at intersections.

And to our motorcycle riders:
We see you—and we need you to ride smart.
✔️ Wear protective gear (yes, even if it’s hot).
✔️ Follow speed limits and lane rules.
✔️ Use signals, stay visible, and never weave between vehicles.
✔️ Be ready for the unexpected—defensive riding saves lives.

This month (and every month), let’s work together to protect one another and keep our roads safe for all users.

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]

Cops on Donut Shops: Fundraiser for Special Olympics Georgia

📆 Thursday, May 30th | ⏰ 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 Dunkin' Donuts – 4040 Peachtree Rd, Brookhaven

Start your morning with a smile—and a sprinkle of community spirit! Join the Brookhaven Police Department at Dunkin' for Cops on Donut Shops, a sweet event benefiting Special Olympics Georgia.

Our officers will be on site collecting donations, handing out high-fives, and spreading awareness for a great cause. Whether you're grabbing a coffee or just stopping by to support, every dollar makes a difference.

Scan the QR code on the flyer to donate or drop by to contribute in person.

Let’s show our support for Special Olympics athletes and prove that community runs on kindness (and maybe a few donuts too).

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

Mental Health Matters—Let’s Break the Stigma and Build Support

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to remind ourselves that community safety isn’t just about preventing crime—it’s about supporting one another’s well-being.

Mental health challenges can affect anyone—regardless of age, background, or status. At the Brookhaven Police Department, we understand that some of the calls we respond to aren’t about criminal activity—they’re cries for help, and we’re committed to handling them with compassion, care, and connection.

Here’s how we can all play a role in prevention:
✔️ Check in on friends, family, and neighbors—especially those who may be struggling.
✔️ If you see someone in distress, don’t ignore it. Call 911 and let us or trained mental health professionals respond safely.
✔️ Know the resources: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 for mental health emergencies.
✔️ Break the stigma—mental health isn’t a weakness, it’s a reality. Let's make it okay to talk about it and ask for help.

When we prioritize mental wellness, we help reduce crises before they happen—and create a safer, more compassionate Brookhaven.

Brookhaven Strong

Strength Starts with Showing Up

No matter what you're facing—stress, uncertainty, a tough day—remember that strength doesn’t always look loud. Sometimes, it’s simply choosing to show up, to try again, or to extend kindness when it’s hard.

Every step forward, no matter how small, is still progress.

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
— Maya Angelou

Keep going. You’re making more of a difference than you know.

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: Does Brookhaven Police Have an Explorer or Cadet Program?

A: Yes! The Brookhaven Police Department offers a Cadet Program for young adults interested in law enforcement, leadership, and community service. This program is designed for those ages 14–20 and provides hands-on experience, ride-along opportunities (for those 16+), leadership training, and community involvement.

Cadets gain valuable insight into what it takes to work in public safety while building confidence, discipline, and teamwork.

📲 Want to learn more or join?
Visit our official page for details and the application:
👉 Brookhaven Police Cadet Program

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