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

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Brookhaven Strong is not just something we say.

It’s something we live.

You see it when neighbors look out for one another. When families show up at community events. When residents call in concerns not to complain, but because they care.

And you see it most clearly in how we show up for our young people.

The weather is warming up. The days are longer. Energy is high. We’re seeing more bikes on the road, more e-bikes, more golf carts, more groups of teens out enjoying their freedom.

And we love seeing our community active.

But here’s the truth. This season requires intention.

Fun is part of growing up. Testing limits is part of growing up. We all remember it. What matters is that we, as adults and as a community, stay engaged enough to guide that energy in the right direction.

If you are a young person, used to be a young person, or responsible for a young person, this issue is for you.

Because being Brookhaven Strong means being the village.

It means supporting.
It means setting boundaries.
It means having conversations before problems start.

Spring and Summer do not change who we are. It simply gives us more opportunities to show up.

And we will.

– Brookhaven Police Department

Today, we are celebrating more than a retirement. We are celebrating a partner, a protector, and a very good boy.

After seven years of dedicated service, K9 Bane is officially retiring.

During his career, Bane completed more than 300 deployments. He assisted in 98 apprehensions and helped seize over 12 million dollars in narcotics and 3 million dollars in currency.

Those numbers matter. They represent real impact. They represent safer streets. They represent moments where training, instinct, and teamwork protected our community.

His excellence extended beyond daily patrol work. At the Southeastern K9 seminars and competitions, Bane earned Top Patrol Dog twice, First Place in Tracking, Second Place in Narcotics, and Second Place in the K9 Team Challenge.

Those awards speak to discipline and skill. But more than that, they speak to partnership. A K9 team is built on trust. Hours of training. Silent communication. Mutual loyalty.

Now, Bane’s next assignment looks a little different.

More naps. More treats. More time simply being what he has always been, a loyal companion.

To his handler, this is not just the end of a shift. It is the closing of a chapter built on shared risk, shared success, and shared commitment to Brookhaven.

Please join us in thanking K9 Bane for seven years of outstanding service to our city.

You have earned this retirement, Bane.

The Brookhaven Leadership Perimeter Cohort 2026 is leading a citywide Book Drive to support students at Montclair Elementary, and their goal is simple and powerful.

One brand new book for every student.

Six hundred books. By March 13.

Because every child deserves to see themselves in a story.
To build confidence through reading.
To discover new worlds and new possibilities.

This is what community leadership looks like.

1️⃣ Select Books Online
Choose a book from the curated wishlist, and it will be hand delivered directly to the school:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/P0Y8X6SXAM0O

2️⃣ Donate In Person
Drop off new books at convenient collection locations throughout Brookhaven:
https://brookhaven-book-drive.manus.space/

3️⃣ Spread the Word
Tag a friend. Invite a local business. Share this with someone who loves a good story.

When we talk about being the village, this is exactly what we mean.

One city.
One district.
Six hundred opportunities to tell a child, you matter.

Let’s reach the goal together.

As the weather warms up, we are seeing more groups of young people out in the evenings. That is part of the season, and in many ways, it is a good thing.

We have seen a small uptick in minor issues. Nothing widespread. Nothing alarming. But enough to remind us that proactive conversations matter.

Occasional property mischief.
A prank that leaves a homeowner cleaning up.
Groups riding bikes or e-bikes in the street and drifting into traffic.

Individually, these moments may seem small. But they can quickly affect someone else’s safety or peace of mind.

This is not about harping on behavior.

It is about setting the tone early.

Parents, now is the time to talk about expectations before a situation forces the conversation. Respect for property. Staying out of roadways. Understanding that what feels funny to one group may not feel funny to a neighbor or driver.

Young people, your choices matter more than you think. A single decision can either build your reputation or follow you longer than you intended.

Brookhaven Strong means we address small things before they become big things.

It means we protect our neighbors’ homes as if they were our own.
It means we enjoy the season without creating consequences that last beyond it.

We are proud of our young people. And we believe most will rise to the expectations we set together.

That is what a village does.

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]

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

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.

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

Being Brookhaven Strong is not about reacting when something goes wrong.

It is about deciding, together, who we are before it does.

We are the kind of community that shows up early.
That sets expectations clearly.
That protects our young people by guiding them, not ignoring them.

We believe freedom and responsibility belong in the same sentence.
We believe respect is not optional.
We believe community is something you actively build, not something you inherit.

And most importantly, we believe it takes a village.

Not just when it is convenient.
Not just when it is easy.
But every single day.

That is our strength.

— The Brookhaven Police Department

Have a Question? We’ve Got Answers!

Q: Which Side of the Road Should Pedestrians Walk On?

A reader recently shared this thoughtful question:

“Your section about bike safety was very good. There is another safety issue I would like to see addressed. Which side of the road should pedestrians walk on? I live on E. Brookhaven where there are a lot of walkers, many of whom walk on the right side. I am particularly concerned about people pushing baby carriages who have no sense of the traffic behind them. Is it possible to have signs posted that say something like ‘walk on the left side, walk on the safe side’?”

A: First, thank you for raising it.

The general safety recommendation is this: If there is no sidewalk available, pedestrians should walk on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.

Why?

Because facing traffic allows you to see approaching vehicles and react if necessary. When walking on the right side with traffic behind you, you cannot see what is coming, which reduces your ability to adjust quickly.

This is especially important for:
• Parents pushing strollers
• People walking pets
• Runners wearing headphones
• Anyone walking during low light hours

If sidewalks are present, they should always be used. When sidewalks are not available, walking on the left side facing traffic is the safer choice.

As for signage, that is a great suggestion. We will share this feedback with our city partners to explore whether additional reminders in high foot traffic areas could help reinforce safe walking habits.

This is exactly what being the village looks like. A resident sees something that could improve safety and speaks up before an incident happens.

Keep the questions coming. They make us all better.

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