Safe Celebrations and Hometown Heroes: What’s Happening in Brookhaven

We’re gearing up for a safe and fun St. Patrick’s Day with essential tips to keep you and your loved ones protected. We’re also celebrating the first night of the Citizens Police Academy, where residents and business owners are stepping up to play a vital role in our community’s safety. Plus, we’ve got practical advice on handling lost credit cards and how to use Brookhaven Connect to report local issues. And don’t miss our Motivational Corner on the power of showing up and making a difference—no matter how small.

Author

Community Engagement
March 10, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes

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

Not a subscriber yet? Sign up here.

In this week's issue:

Let’s Prepare for a Safe St. Patrick’s Day

Dear Brookhaven Residents,

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and the weekend celebration is near, and while we’re all for celebrating with friends, family, and a little Irish spirit, our top priority is keeping Brookhaven safe. This holiday is a time for fun, but it’s also a time when safety can’t take a backseat.

As you make your plans, we’re asking everyone to celebrate responsibly and keep these reminders in mind:

  • If you drink, don’t drive. Plan ahead with a designated driver, a rideshare service, or public transportation. A single bad decision can have lasting consequences.

  • Stay aware of your surroundings. Busy streets, lively events, and increased traffic mean it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant—both on foot and behind the wheel.

  • Keep it respectful. Let’s make sure every local business, park, and public space remains safe and enjoyable for all.

Our officers will be out in full force, focused on ensuring that celebrations stay safe for everyone. If you need assistance or spot anything suspicious, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here for you.

St. Patrick’s Day is about community, celebration, and coming together, but it’s also about making sure we all get home safely. Let’s work together to make this holiday a safe, memorable, and positive one for everyone in Brookhaven.

Officer Hale

Community Heroes: Resident & Business Owners of Brookhaven Ready to become Change Agents

Sgt. Moore and 2025 Citizen Police Academy

This week, we’re proud to spotlight our newest Community Heroes—the residents and business owners who joined us for the first night of the Citizens Police Academy in 2025. With a full house of eager participants, it was clear that our community is ready to take an active role in keeping Brookhaven safe.

Throughout the evening, we saw a powerful commitment to learning about how law enforcement works, what challenges our officers face, and most importantly, how residents and business leaders can play a vital role in preventing crime and fostering a safer community.

Your willingness to engage, ask questions, and learn more about public safety speaks volumes about the strength and unity of Brookhaven. With every session, you’re not just learning about safety—you’re becoming a part of it.

To all our Citizens Police Academy participants, thank you for stepping up and showing that safety is a shared responsibility. We’re excited for the journey ahead and grateful to have such dedicated community members by our side.

Together, we’re making Brookhaven safer—one class at a time.

Traffic Safety Tips: Driving Safely in the Rain

Today we’re focusing on staying safe during rainy drives.

REMINDER: Turn on your headlights when it’s raining—not just because it’s safer, but because it’s the law in Georgia (O.C.G.A. 40-8-20). Your headlights help make your vehicle more visible to other drivers and reduce the risk of accidents in low-visibility conditions.

❌ What NOT to Do:

  • Don’t use your emergency flashers while driving in the rain. Flashers can confuse other drivers who may think you’re stopping, turning, or experiencing an emergency.

For Newer Vehicles:

  • Many newer cars have auto headlight settings that turn on when it’s dark or raining. Make sure you understand how your system works to stay compliant and safe.

  • Check your settings before hitting the road to avoid any surprises!

Quick Tips for Rainy Weather:

1️⃣ Increase your following distance to avoid sudden stops.
2️⃣ Reduce speed on wet roads to prevent hydroplaning.
3️⃣ Check your windshield wipers and replace them if they’re streaking.

Driving in the rain requires extra caution—so let’s keep those headlights on, emergency flashers off, and make sure everyone gets home safely. Drive safe (and stay dry), Brookhaven!

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]

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12TH IS THE LAST DAY TO SIGN UP ⬇️

Brookhaven Police Citizens Police Academy - Now Enrolling
📆 Wednesday, March 5th - May 7th | Every Wednesday at 7:00 PM
📍 Brookhaven Police Department

Ever wanted to see what it’s like to be a Brookhaven Police Officer? The Citizens Police Academy is your opportunity to learn firsthand about law enforcement operations, training, and community policing. Engage with officers, participate in hands-on activities, and gain a deeper understanding of how the Brookhaven Police Department serves the community.

🔹 Who can join? Brookhaven residents, business owners, and community members.
🔹 How to sign up? Spaces are limited—secure yours today!

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!

🏃 Cherry Blossom Festival 5K:
Kick off the festivities with the Cherry Blossom Festival 5K on March 22. This USATF-certified race is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier and benefits Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Registration is $25 through February 14 and $30 thereafter. Sign up by March 13 to guarantee your 2025 t-shirt. Register here:

🎨 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!

Cherry Blossom 2024

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

Lost Your Credit Card? Here’s What to Do!

Losing your credit card can be stressful, but acting quickly can help prevent fraud and minimize damage. Here are some essential steps to take if your card goes missing:

1️⃣ Report It Immediately 

  • Call your bank or card issuer as soon as you notice your card is missing. Most companies have 24/7 hotlines for emergencies.

  • Request to block or freeze your card to prevent unauthorized charges.

2️⃣ Check Your Transactions 

  • Review your recent account activity for any suspicious or unfamiliar charges.

  • Make a list of any unauthorized transactions to dispute with your bank.

3️⃣ Enable Alerts 

  • Turn on real-time alerts for purchases to stay informed about any charges made.

  • Many banking apps allow you to receive texts or emails for every transaction.

4️⃣ File a Report if Stolen 

  • If you believe your card was stolen, consider filing a report with the Brookhaven Police Department.

  • Having a police report can help with fraud investigations and make it easier to dispute charges with your bank.

5️⃣ Request a New Card & Change Passwords 

  • Ask your bank to issue a new card with a different number.

  • Change your online banking passwords and PINs to prevent further access.

6️⃣ Monitor Your Credit 

  • Check your credit report for any suspicious activity or new accounts opened in your name.

  • Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with major credit bureaus if you suspect identity theft.

The sooner you act, the better protected you’ll be. By following these steps, you can minimize risks and protect your financial information.

Brookhaven Strong

Keep Moving Forward

Progress isn’t always about giant leaps—sometimes it’s about the small steps you take every day. Whether it’s learning something new, helping a neighbor, or simply showing up for yourself, every step counts.

It’s easy to get stuck thinking you’re not moving fast enough or doing enough. But remember: Consistency is powerful. The small actions you take today will build the foundation for the bigger victories tomorrow.

So keep pushing, keep striving, and keep showing up—even when it’s hard. Your progress may not always be obvious, but it’s happening.

Stay focused, stay determined, and trust that you’re getting stronger every day.

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 Brookhaven Connect and how can I use it?

A: Brookhaven Connect is a free mobile app that allows residents to report non-emergency issues directly to the city—quickly and conveniently. From potholes and streetlight outages to code violations and graffiti, the app helps you keep our community safe, clean, and well-maintained.

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

Reply

or to participate.