Welcome to the Brookhaven Community Pulse. Your weekly guide to staying informed, safe and connected with our community.
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Welcome to the new format of The Brookhaven Police Community Pulse!
We’ve redesigned how we share our updates, not just to give it a cleaner look, but to make it more accessible, focused, and relevant to the people we serve. Each week, our newsletter will now follow a central theme, like community building, public safety, youth empowerment, or wellness and so much more, while keeping the core content you rely on: event updates, crime prevention, officer insights, and community stories.
This new format offers:
Topic segmentation so you can easily find what matters most to you
Real stories from around Brookhaven that celebrate impact
Resources and reminders to help you stay safe, informed, and connected
New ways to engage, including Q&As, challenges, and shout-outs
As always, The Brookhaven Police Community Pulse is here to do more than inform, it’s here to connect us. So whether you’re a parent, senior, business owner, student, or neighbor, we hope you find something here that speaks to you.
Forward it. Talk about it. Share it with someone who needs it.
Together, we don’t just live in Brookhaven…we build it.
In this week's issue:
Protecting Our Elders Starts With Us
Each year, millions of older adults experience abuse, neglect, or exploitation, but far too often, it goes unnoticed or unreported. Elder Abuse Awareness Week is a call to action. It’s our chance, as a department and as a community, to say: we see you, we value you, and we will protect you.
This week’s edition of The Brookhaven Police Community Pulse is focused on how we can all recognize the signs, take meaningful action, and stand up for the safety and dignity of our seniors.
There Is No Excuse for Elder Abuse
Who do you turn to when you suspect that an older adult you care about may be experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation?
Too often, abuse of our elderly citizens goes unseen or unreported. Tragically, it happens in private homes, care facilities, and even in trusted relationships. The most common form is financial abuse, closely followed by physical and sexual abuse. No matter how or where it happens, one truth remains:
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙉𝙊 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙚𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙚.
Why It’s Hard to Catch and Report
Victims may feel ashamed, afraid, or too dependent on their abuser to speak out. They may only mention the abuse once, if at all. This makes it critical for family members, caregivers, neighbors, and professionals to stay vigilant and trust their instincts.
If they tell you…BELIEVE THEM.
Understanding Who Can Help
Although many Federal, State, and local agencies are in place to investigate and respond, navigating the system can be overwhelming for victims and caregivers alike. That’s why a Georgia-specific flowchart has been created to help guide you.

This guide simplifies how to contact the appropriate agency based on the type of abuse or setting (nursing home, private residence, etc.). It includes what to report, who can report, and where to go for help.
Who Can Report Abuse?
ANYONE can make a report if they have reasonable cause to believe an elderly or incapacitated person is being abused, neglected, or exploited.
In an emergency, ALWAYS call 911.
For non-emergencies, call:
📞 Adult Protective Services: 1-866-552-4464
🌐 www.georgiaombudsman.org
Quick Reminder:
While Long-Term Care Ombudsmen and Resident Advocates are excellent resources, they are not legally required to report abuse. Your report could be the one that makes the difference.
Community Heroes: Supporting Our Seniors, Together
This week, we’re recognizing Elder Abuse Awareness Week and turning the spotlight toward the resources available for seniors across Brookhaven and beyond. While we don’t have one central senior services building, our community is full of programs and partnerships committed to supporting older adults with care, dignity, and safety.
Here are some helpful services and resources available to seniors and caregivers:
Dekalb County Senior Services
Assistance with transportation, home-delivered meals, and wellness programs
📞 Call: 770-322-2950 | 🌐 Visit Website
⚖️ Georgia Senior Legal Hotline
Free legal advice for seniors age 60+ on issues like housing, benefits, and elder abuse
📞 Call: 404-657-9915 | 🌐Visit Website
Georgia Ombudsman Program
Advocacy for residents in long-term care facilities
📞 Call: 1-866-552-4464 | 🌐 www.georgiaombudsman.org
Brookhaven Police Department Welfare Checks
Concerned about a senior neighbor? You can request a welfare check.
📞 Call: 911 (Emergency/Non-Emergency Number
Adult Protective Services (APS)
Report abuse, neglect, or exploitation
📞 Call: 1-866-552-4464 | 🌐Visit Website
Let’s continue to honor and protect the elders in our community, because every senior deserves to feel safe, supported, and seen.
Special Announcement: We Fixed It!
In our last issue, we were excited to announce the launch of our new website and newsletter layout but as some of you quickly (and kindly) pointed out, a few of our design updates made the online version hard to read.
Good news: That issue has been fixed!
You can now view every issue clearly both online and in your email inbox, just like before.
We love technology... but whew, sometimes it keeps us on our toes. Thank you for your patience, your feedback, and your ongoing support as we grow and improve.
Check out the updated site anytime here:
👉 https://brookhaven-police-community-pulse.beehiiv.com


Traffic Safety Tips: Having the Hard Conversation About Safe Driving
Do you know someone who may be aging out of safe driving, but no one’s had the courage to bring it up?
As we age, changes in vision, reflexes, memory, and mobility can impact the ability to drive safely. While these changes are normal, continuing to drive without evaluating these factors can put both the driver and others at risk.
One of the first steps? A nonthreatening, honest conversation.
Family members and friends are often the first to notice unsafe driving habits. Talk to your loved one about:
Changes you've observed
Ways to stay mobile if they stop driving
Resources available to help them maintain independence
If you believe someone is no longer safe to drive and poses a danger to themselves or others, Georgia offers a way to report this concern.
DDS Form 270 allows law enforcement, community members, and even family to initiate a medical review with the DMV.
➡️ Learn more and access the form here: https://dds.georgia.gov/medical-review-process
Let’s look out for one another with compassion and courage.

If you see something, say something. Your call could make all the difference. For emergencies, always dial 911.

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]
Celebrating National Senior Citizen Day at the YMCA!
📍 Location: Cowart Family YMCA — 3692 Ashford Dunwoody Rd
📅 Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The Brookhaven Police Department is joining the Cowart Family YMCA for National Senior Citizen Day.
Hot Pursuit 5K Glow Run – Let’s Light Up the Greenway
📆 Saturday, August 23, 2025
📍 Peachtree Creek Greenway | 1793 Briarwood Rd, Brookhaven, GA
🕗 Race Start: 8:00 PM
Brookhaven’s favorite glow-up event is back bigger, brighter, and on the beautiful Peachtree Creek Greenway!
Join the Brookhaven Police Department for the Hot Pursuit 5K Glow Run, where runners, walkers, families, and supporters come together for a night of fitness, fun, and purpose. This event features a certified 5K course, a 1-mile Fun Run, and a Tot Trot for our youngest racers.
Proceeds support our Shop with a Badge program bringing holiday joy to local children and building bridges between officers and the community we serve.
All participants receive a glow shirt and race swag
Stay for the music, lights, and post-race fun
Register early to guarantee your shirt size!
Run with us. Glow with us. Make a difference.


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 and Community Watch: Protecting Our Most Vulnerable
Here is how to protect older adults from scams, fraud, and abuse, especially when it comes to money, medical decisions, and everyday trust.
Brookhaven is a community that looks out for each other. Let’s help protect our seniors by staying informed and having conversations with those who may be more vulnerable to deception.
Scam Alert: Know the Signs, Start the Conversation
Scammers target older adults every day, through phone calls, texts, emails, door-to-door visits, or fake websites. Why? Because many older residents are home during the day, have savings, and are often too polite to hang up or say no.
Please talk to your older friends, parents, neighbors, and loved ones about these red flags. Awareness is the first line of defense.
Protective Action:
Add your number to the Do Not Call Registry to reduce scam calls:
www.donotcall.gov
Even though scammers may still call, being on the list helps you identify illegitimate calls immediately. If you’re on the registry and a “sales” call comes through, it’s likely a scam.
Power of Attorney: What You (and They) Need to Know
Do you know someone who might need help managing their finances or making medical decisions in the future?
A Power of Attorney (POA) gives a trusted person the legal ability to help when needed. There are two types:
Medical POA – helps with care, providers, and living decisions
Financial POA – helps with managing bills, property, and benefits
POA documents must be prepared while the person is still mentally competent, so now is the time to have the conversation.
Agents (the person acting on behalf of someone else) CAN:
✔️ Pay bills
✔️ Choose healthcare providers
✔️ Decide on living arrangements
✔️ Apply for public benefits
Agents CANNOT:
❌ Change a will
❌ Act after the person’s death (unless also executor)
❌ Transfer power to someone else
These legal tools can be empowering—but must be used with great care and trust. Encourage your loved ones to consult a legal expert and make informed decisions.
Brookhaven Strong
Strength in Every Season
"To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors."
— Tia Walker, The Inspired Caregiver
In every season of life, we all need someone looking out for us. Whether it's offering a helping hand, protecting a neighbor from harm, or simply starting a hard conversation, community care is the foundation of safety and trust.
Let’s keep showing up for one another because real strength is found in compassion.

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 should I do if I suspect an elderly neighbor is being neglected or abused?
A: Don’t wait, report it. If it’s an emergency, call 911. If it’s non-urgent but concerning, call Adult Protective Services at 1-866-552-4464. Your call could save a life.
Got a question? Submit it here, and we might feature it in the next issue!