Petals, People & Protection: Brookhaven’s Festival Edition

We’re celebrating the beauty of community with the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival! From safety tips and traffic laws to honoring our local heroes, this issue is all about staying connected, protected, and in full bloom.

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Community Engagement
March 24, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 12 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:

Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival: A Celebration of Community and Culture

Brookhaven residents and visitors, it's that time of year again! The 2025 Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival is upon us, promising a weekend filled with music, art, food, and fun for the whole family. Here's what you need to know to make the most of this vibrant event:​

Festival Dates & Location:

  • When: Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.​Brookhaven GA

  • Where: Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Brookhaven, GA 30319​

Musical Lineup:

  • Saturday Headliner: O.A.R.​

  • Sunday Headliner: Boyz II Men​

  • Additional Performers: Gavin DeGraw, Pop 2000 Tour, and more​

Festival Highlights:

  • Kidz Zone: A dedicated area with activities and entertainment for children. Strollers and wagons are welcome.​

  • Pet-Friendly: Feel free to bring your furry friends, but please be considerate of others. Note that pets are not allowed on the shuttles.​

  • Classic Car Show: Marvel at vintage vehicles on display Saturday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the main entrance of Blackburn Park.​

Important Information:

  • No Onsite Parking: Parking near Blackburn Park is limited and restricted. Festival attendees are encouraged to use MARTA or designated shuttle services. Free shuttles will run from the Brookhaven/Oglethorpe MARTA station parking lot starting at 9:30 a.m. each day, with the last shuttle departing Blackburn Park at 7:30 p.m.​

  • Coolers: Not permitted on shuttles or within the park. Water bottles are allowed.​

  • Sun Safety: March weather can be deceiving; bring and apply sunscreen. Stay hydrated by bringing ample water.​

  • Blankets and Chairs: Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets for seating. While chairs are discouraged to ensure clear sightlines for all, exceptions are made for those with health considerations.​

Getting There:

  • MARTA: The most convenient way to reach the festival. Take the Gold Line to the Brookhaven/Oglethorpe or Chamblee stations. Free shuttles are available from these stations to Blackburn Park.​

  • Rideshare: Use the address 2036 Johnson Ferry Rd, Brookhaven, GA 30319 for drop-offs and pick-ups. This is the Cambridge Square parking lot located across from Blackburn Park.​

For more detailed information, including a festival map and updates, visit the official festival website: Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival

Let's come together to celebrate the beauty of the cherry blossoms and the vibrant spirit of Brookhaven. We look forward to seeing you there!

Community Heroes: Celebrating the Women of Brookhaven

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are proud to recognize and celebrate the incredible women who shape, serve, and uplift Brookhaven every single day. From the dedicated women of the Brookhaven Police Department to the educators, entrepreneurs, city leaders, and community advocates—you are the heart of our city.

Your leadership, compassion, and strength make Brookhaven not only safer, but stronger. Whether you're responding to emergencies, mentoring the next generation, running local businesses, or volunteering your time—you are making history right here in our community.

To all the women in Brookhaven: Thank you for your service, your impact, and your example. We see you, we appreciate you, and we celebrate you—not just this month, but every day.

Officer Hawkins and Sergeant Moore

Traffic Safety Tips: That Plate Cover Could Cost You—Literally

Think that tinted license plate cover looks cool? You might want to think again. In Georgia, it’s more than just a style choice—it’s illegal if it blocks surveillance equipment from clearly reading your plate.

According to O.C.G.A. 40-2-6.1, anyone who willfully covers their license plate with plastic, other materials, or even a part of their body in an effort to block cameras or readers could be facing a misdemeanor and a fine of up to $1,000.

🚫 Here's What the Law Says:

“Any person who willfully covers any license plate with plastic, other material, or any part of his or her body in order to prevent or impede the ability of surveillance equipment to clearly photograph or otherwise obtain a clear image of the license plate is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00.”

💡 Bottom Line:

That custom look isn’t worth losing your hard-earned money over. Keep your tag visible and your wallet happy.

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]

Join Us at the 2025 Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival!

📅 Dates:

  • Festival: Saturday, March 29 & Sunday, March 30, 2025

  • 5K Run: Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 8 a.m.

📍 Location:
Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Brookhaven, GA

🎶 Headlining Performers:

  • Saturday, March 29: O.A.R. with opener Gavin DeGraw

  • Sunday, March 30: Boyz II Men with the Pop 2000 Tour

🎟️ Admission:
FREE for all attendees!

🎨 Festival Highlights:

  • Splash Artists’ Market: Explore over 100 fine art vendors.

  • Kidz Zone: Fun activities for children of all ages.

  • Pet World: A pet-friendly area with exciting shows.

  • Classic Car Show: Admire vintage vehicles on display.

  • Food Trucks: Savor a variety of delicious cuisines.

🚗 Parking & Shuttles, Hotels:
Limited parking is available at Blackburn Park. Free shuttles will run from nearby locations. Check the festival website for shuttle routes and schedules.

📱 Stay Updated:
Follow us on social media for the latest news and updates:

  • Facebook: @BrookCherryFest

  • Twitter: @BrookCherryFest

  • Instagram: @BrookCherryFest

For more information, visit the official festival website:

We look forward to celebrating with you at the 2025 Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival!

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

Reinforce Your Door—It’s Easier Than You Think

We all know the basics of home safety: lock your doors, set the alarm, and keep an eye out for suspicious activity. But here’s one tip that often gets overlooked and could make a major difference in keeping intruders out:

Upgrade your door hardware—specifically, your screws.

Most homes are built with “builder grade” hardware. That means the strike plates and hinges on your exterior doors are often held in with ¾-inch screws that only secure the plate to the door frame trim—not the actual wall studs. These screws can easily rip out with one hard kick, leaving your home vulnerable.

Here’s how to upgrade your security:

✅ Step 1: Open your door and locate the strike plate (that metal plate where the door latch goes into the frame).
✅ Step 2: Remove the existing screws and replace them with 3-inch wood screws—these go deep into the wall stud and provide a much stronger hold.
✅ Step 3: Do the same for the door hinges, especially if your door swings inward.
✅ Optional Upgrade: Consider adding a reinforced strike plate or door jamb reinforcement kit for even more protection.

💡 Why it Matters:

  • Most break-ins occur through the front or back door—and often by forceful entry.

  • This simple fix can significantly slow down or deter a burglar, buying you time or convincing them to move on.

  • It’s affordable, takes less than 30 minutes, and can be done with basic tools.

Your home is your sanctuary. Taking a few extra steps today can go a long way in protecting your family and giving you peace of mind tomorrow.

Brookhaven Strong

As the cherry blossoms begin to bloom in Brookhaven, they remind us of something powerful—growth doesn’t have to be loud to be beautiful.

Just like those delicate pink petals that return year after year, you too can bloom exactly where you are. Whether you're working on personal goals, showing up for your community, or simply trying to get through a tough week, you are growing—even when it doesn’t feel like it.

Take inspiration from the season:
🌱 Start small.
🌤️ Soak up the support around you.
🌸 Stand tall and trust the process.

You don’t need perfect conditions to grow. You just need the courage to keep showing up and the patience to let your progress unfold.

Here’s to fresh starts, quiet strength, and blooming in your own time.

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: What is the Brookhaven Police Department doing to ensure safety at the Cherry Blossom Festival?

A: Great question! The safety of all attendees is our top priority, and the Brookhaven Police Department will be fully present and actively engaged throughout the festival weekend. Here’s what you can expect:

Increased Police Presence:
You’ll see uniformed officers on foot and patrol vehicles throughout the event space to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Traffic & Crowd Control:
Officers will be managing traffic flow, shuttle drop-offs, and pedestrian safety, especially at busy intersections and entrances.

Bag & Behavior Awareness:
While there won’t be formal bag checks, we encourage everyone to be mindful of their belongings and report any suspicious activity to an officer or festival staff right away.

Lost & Found / Missing Persons:
If you get separated from your group or need assistance, locate the nearest Brookhaven officer or event security staff. We’re here to help reunite families and handle any concerns quickly.

If You See Something, Say Something:
Please report anything unusual by flagging down an officer or calling 911. Even small observations can help us respond swiftly and appropriately.

We’re proud to be part of this community celebration and are committed to making sure everyone can enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival safely.

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