New Year, New Goals: Building a Safer and Stronger Brookhaven in 2025

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:

• Welcome Message: Year 2025

• Community Heroes

• Safety Tips

• Community Events

• Crime Prevention

• Brookhaven Strong

• Engage with Us

Elevating Engagement in 2025

Dear Brookhaven Residents,

As we enter 2025, we reflect on a year of collaboration and progress. In 2024, our department focused on enhancing public safety, building stronger relationships with our residents, and leveraging innovative tools to better serve our community. Together, we’ve made strides in creating a safer and more united Brookhaven.

This year, we’re excited to take community engagement to new heights. Our focus in 2025 includes:

• Connecting Through Safety: Offering crime prevention and safety classes to empower residents with knowledge and tools to protect themselves and their neighborhoods.

• Launching Neighborhood Watch Programs: Engaging communities with classes and resources to foster collaboration and vigilance.

• Youth Partnerships: Expanding programs that inspire and support our youngest residents, creating pathways for positive interaction with law enforcement.

• Driving Innovation: Continuing to utilize advanced technology to enhance safety and improve the efficiency of our public safety initiatives.

We’re also inviting YOU to help shape the future of Brookhaven. Your feedback and ideas are invaluable as we continue to grow and improve. Do you have suggestions for programs, initiatives, or partnerships? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].

Thank you for your trust and collaboration. Let’s make 2025 a year of connection, safety, and shared success. Together, we can achieve great things for Brookhaven!

Sincerely,

Brookhaven Police Department

Community Heroes: Residents of Brookhaven

This week, we want to celebrate you—the incredible residents of Brookhaven. Your support, trust, and partnership make our work as your police department meaningful and impactful.

Whether it’s attending community events, volunteering, or simply taking the time to connect with us, your efforts to engage with our department and each other are what make Brookhaven such a special place. We’re proud to serve a community that values safety, connection, and collaboration as much as we do.

Let’s continue building on this spirit of collaboration to make 2025 our best year yet! Thank you for being our greatest ally in creating a stronger Brookhaven. Together, we can achieve great things.

Safety Tips: Setting Family Safety Goals for the New Year

Start 2025 off right by setting meaningful safety goals for your family. These steps can help you prepare for emergencies, protect your loved ones, and create a safer home environment:

1. Create or Update an Emergency Plan

• Plan Evacuation Routes: Identify multiple exits from your home and meeting points outside in case of a fire or emergency.

• Practice Emergency Drills: Conduct fire drills and discuss what to do during severe weather or other crises.

• Establish Communication Plans: Make sure everyone knows how to contact each other if separated during an emergency.

2. Review Home Safety Measures

• Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Test all alarms monthly and replace batteries as needed.

• Secure Entry Points: Inspect doors, windows, and locks to ensure they’re secure. Consider upgrading to smart locks or adding security cameras.

• Childproof Your Home: If you have young children, check for hazards like loose cords, sharp edges, or unsecured cleaning supplies.

3. Assemble or Restock Emergency Kits

• Basic Supplies: Include water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, and essential medications.

• Personalized Items: Add items like pet supplies, baby products, or extra glasses as needed.

• Keep Kits Accessible: Store them in an easy-to-reach location and ensure all family members know where to find them.

4. Teach Safety Skills

• Basic First Aid: Ensure all family members know how to use a first aid kit and perform CPR.

• Emergency Numbers: Post important contacts, including 911, poison control, and local police, in a visible location.

• Digital Safety: Teach children and teens how to protect their personal information online and recognize cyber threats.

5. Commit to a Safe Driving Pledge

• Distracted Driving: Set a family rule about avoiding phone use while driving.

• Seat Belt Safety: Make it a habit for everyone in the car to buckle up.

• Vehicle Maintenance: Regularly check brakes, tires, and lights to ensure your car is road-ready.

By setting and following these goals, you’re not only protecting your loved ones but also contributing to a safer Brookhaven community. Let’s make 2025 a year of proactive safety for all!

Community Events

Don’t miss out on the final weekend of Holidays in the Haven! It’s your last chance to enjoy ice skating and festive fun at the Brookhaven Park (4158 Peachtree Rd - FREE ADMISSION).

On December 9th, join us for Coffee with a Cop at Starbucks as we celebrate National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. It’s a great opportunity to connect with your local officers, ask questions, share concerns, and show your support for the men and women who serve our community.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Resources and Programs

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

Crime Prevention: School Bus Safety

This week, we want to remind our residents about the importance of school bus safety. Protecting our children is a shared responsibility, and understanding Georgia law is key.

Know the Law (GA State Law 40-6-163):

• When to Stop: If a school bus's lights flash and the stop sign/arm is extended, all approaching vehicles must stop.

• Opposite Direction: Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction must also stop unless there is a median, grass, or barrier dividing the roadway.

• When to Proceed: Drivers should remain stopped until the bus resumes motion or the visual signals are turned off.

When Must You Stop?

1. Two-Lane Roads:

   • Vehicles traveling in both directions must stop.

2. Multi-Lane Roads (Paved Across):

   • Vehicles traveling in both directions must stop.

3. Divided Highway (with Dirt, Grass, or Barrier Median):

   • Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction must use caution but are not required to stop.

Passing a School Bus with a Stop Sign is a Crime

Failing to stop for a school bus with an activated stop sign is now a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature as of July 1, 2024. This amended law brings stricter penalties to ensure the safety of our children:

• Fines: Minimum fine of $1,000.

• License Points: Offenders will have 6 points added to their license.

• Jail Time: Potential jail time of up to 12 months.

• License Suspension for Drivers Under 21: Accumulating 4 or more points will result in a 6-month license suspension.

• License Suspension for Drivers Over 21: Accumulating 15 or more points within 24 months will result in a one-year license suspension.

Be Prepared:

• Slow Down: Always slow down when you see a bus or a group of children nearby.

• Stay Alert: Be extra vigilant near school zones and neighborhoods.

Let’s work together to help keep our children safe and ensure a secure commute for all students in Brookhaven. Remember, passing a stopped school bus isn’t just dangerous—it’s a serious crime.

As a reminder, School Safety Zone Violations are not processed at Brookhaven Municipal Court. For assistance with these violations, please call 1-866-201-4994 or click here.

Brookhaven Strong

Dream Big, Start Small, Act Now

As we enter 2025, it’s time to dream bigger, set bolder goals, and strive for all the things you’ve been waiting to achieve. The future isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you create, one step at a time.

This year, challenge yourself to:

• Set Clear Goals: Whether big or small, write them down and take the first step toward making them a reality.

• Embrace Growth: Push beyond your comfort zone, even if progress feels slow—it’s still progress.

• Stay Consistent: Success doesn’t happen overnight. Show up for yourself every single day.

The path to greatness isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. You have the power to make 2025 the year you break through barriers, turn your dreams into plans, and achieve things you once thought impossible.

Remember: The only limits are the ones you place on yourself. Let’s make this the year of striving, thriving, and making it happen. You’ve got this! 💪

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 the Brookhaven Police Department offer checks for my home when I’m away?
A: Yes, we do! The Brookhaven Police Department offers residential security checks for our residents.

If you plan to be away, our officers will periodically check on your home to ensure everything is secure. Fill out the form at the link below to request this service:

👉 Complete the Residential Security Check Form Here

Your safety and peace of mind are our priority!

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