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

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As we begin a new year, one thing is clear. Safety is not something we can leave to chance, and it is not something any one group can handle alone. Keeping Brookhaven one of the safest cities takes a village. Neighbors watching out for neighbors. Employers looking out for their teams. Parents, coworkers, and community members choose awareness over distraction.

This year, we are putting a renewed focus on community safety. Not out of fear, but out of care. Because when people feel secure at home, at work, and in public spaces, our entire city thrives.

– Brookhaven Police Department

Here are a few updates from our team this week that connect directly to everyday life in Brookhaven.

Crosswalk safety matters.
Our children, families, and neighbors rely on crosswalks to get where they are going safely. Being a good neighbor means slowing down, paying attention, and yielding when required. Officers will cite drivers who fail to follow crosswalk laws. We would much rather see everyone get home safely than write a ticket.

Stay informed about what’s happening in your city.
If you are curious about the calls we respond to or want to review our daily bulletin, our online services are available anytime. Transparency matters to us, and we want residents to understand the work happening across the city.
Visit: our online services here.

Our community is growing.
This newsletter continues to reach more readers each week. Our goal for 2026 is to reach 2,500+ active subscribers. If you find value here, we hope you will share it with friends, family, and neighbors. Help us get valuable information out to all of our residents.

February is right around the corner, and our team is preparing to take the plunge for a cause that truly matters.

Special Olympics athletes work year-round with determination, courage, and heart. We are proud to support them, not just by showing up, but by standing beside them as they train, compete, and inspire.

When we support organizations like Special Olympics, we are reminded that community is built through encouragement, inclusion, and shared effort.

Hello neighbors. We wanted to share a special opportunity for the Cross Keys Band. These talented students have been invited to perform at Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, an incredible honor that recognizes their hard work and dedication.

Your support can help cover travel and lodging costs so every student has the chance to participate. If you’re able, please consider donating or sharing the link to help make this experience possible. The deadline to give is January 30.

Thank you for supporting our students and the arts in our community.

Safety does not stop when you clock in. For many of us, work is where we spend most of our waking hours, and feeling secure there matters.

Recognizing Workplace Violence Warning Signs

It is always better to talk about workplace safety than to ignore concerns and hope for the best. Conversations may feel uncomfortable, but silence can be dangerous.

Every workplace should have a clear policy on workplace violence. If you do not know what your company’s policy is, now is the time to ask. If one does not exist, now is the time to create it.

Warning signs may include escalating behavior, threats, fixation on grievances, or changes that raise concern among coworkers. These red flags should be documented and reported through your company’s established process.

Employers can and should work with local law enforcement when there are individuals of concern. This may include trespassing someone from the property, documenting interactions through internal reports or police reports, or having law enforcement present during a termination when there is a known risk. Access should be revoked immediately.

It is also important to communicate domestic situations that could spill into the workplace. Sharing information early can prevent harm later.

If you believe someone is dangerous or in crisis, call 911 immediately.

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Be Smart. Be Aware. Be Safe.

Personal safety often comes down to awareness.

When entering or leaving your workplace, avoid distractions. Put your phone away. Skip noise-canceling headphones. Have your car keys in hand so you are not searching through bags or pockets in a parking lot.

Before leaving a building or vehicle, pause and look around. Make a visual sweep of entrances and parking areas. If possible, leave in pairs or ask someone to walk with you.

Keep scanning your surroundings as you move. Criminals often look for easy targets who are distracted. Awareness gives you time to react and removes the element of surprise.

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Building Security Is Everyone’s Responsibility

We all know those rushed moments when someone holds the door for the person behind them. In secure buildings, that instinct can create risk.

Everyone should have their own keycard or passcode. Never allow someone inside a secure area unless they can access it themselves. Doors should never be propped open, even briefly.

Visitors should be escorted at all times in restricted areas. Employees should never share keycards or passcodes. Vendors should be issued separate credentials that limit access by time and location.

Security works best when everyone follows the same rules, every time.

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Responding to Potential Threats

If you begin to notice warning signs from a coworker or customer, follow your company’s protocols. Speak with a manager or make the required report.

If you feel unsafe, call 911. If you cannot speak, leave the line open or text 911 with key information. Many 911 centers can locate calls with remarkable accuracy.

If the situation escalates, move to a secure area if possible and create distance from the threat. Activate your workplace emergency plan.

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What to Do in a Hostile Situation

If a situation becomes hostile, action matters.

Stay as calm as possible. Panic helps no one.

Remember A.D.D.

Avoid the threat by getting away and having an exit plan.

Deny access by creating distance, using barriers, staying out of sight, and silencing phones.

Defend yourself only if you have no other option. You have the right to defend yourself. Be committed and decisive.

When law enforcement arrives, show your hands and follow all commands.

A training video that explains A.D.D. and includes realistic scenarios is available here. Please note that some viewers may find the content disturbing:

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: January 19, 2026
Time: 5 PM
Location: Lynwood Recreation Center (Tickets available for $10)

The event is a tribute to the Lynwood Trailblazers and includes keynote speaker Karyn Greer, dinner, giveaways, live performances, and special guests.

Dates: February 21, 2026
Time: TBD
Location: Acworth Beach

Join our team and help support Special Olympic athletes using this link https://charity.pledgeit.org/t/os5m7u0rgd

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

Safety is not built in a single moment. It grows through habits, conversations, and people choosing to care about one another.

From holding back at a crosswalk to speaking up at work, small actions make a real difference. Brookhaven remains strong because residents, businesses, and first responders work together with awareness and intention.

Thank you for being part of that effort.

Have a Question? We’ve Got Answers!
This section answers questions submitted by our community. Here’s one we received recently:

Q: How can I help keep my workplace safe without overreacting or causing tension?

A: Safety and respect can coexist. Start by knowing your workplace policies and using the reporting channels already in place. Document concerning behavior rather than relying on memory or assumptions. Share concerns with supervisors or human resources early, before situations escalate.

If something feels truly unsafe, trust that instinct and call 911. Speaking up is not overreacting. It is looking out for yourself and others. Most serious incidents are preceded by warning signs, and addressing them early can prevent harm.

Please email us at [email protected] if you would like to partner with us.

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