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.

It starts much earlier, in small moments most of us barely notice.

It is locking a car door at night. Saying something when something feels off. Checking in on a neighbor who has not been seen in a few days. Simple choices, made consistently, are often what keep problems from ever becoming emergencies.

This week, we are focusing on crime prevention because the safest communities are built through awareness, communication, and shared responsibility. Police play a role, but we are not the only ones. Safety is strongest when it is woven into everyday routines and supported by people who care about where they live.

Throughout this newsletter, you will see practical ways to reduce risk, look out for one another, and strengthen the habits that keep Brookhaven a place we are proud to call home. None of it requires special training or extra time. Just attention, connection, and a willingness to take small steps together.

– Brookhaven Police Department

This week inside the department, our focus is simple and intentional. Preventing crime often starts before it happens.

Locking cars. Clearing seats. Reducing opportunity.
Many vehicle break-ins are crimes of opportunity. An unlocked door. A bag on the seat. A lunch cooler, backpack, or loose change that catches the wrong attention. Even items that feel ordinary to us can signal opportunity to someone looking for one.

A clean car with no personal items visible is one of the most effective ways to reduce entering autos. Locking your doors every time, even at home, matters more than most people realize. These small habits make a real difference citywide.

Today is MLK Day, and across Brookhaven, neighbors are gathering for events that bring people together in reflection and community.

One of those moments is the city’s sold-out MLK Day Dinner and Celebration, taking place this evening. The strong response speaks to how many residents value opportunities to come together, share space, and be part of something meaningful within our city.

For the Brookhaven Police Department, days like today are about presence and service. Our role is to support the community as it gathers, ensure events remain safe and welcoming, and continue serving all residents with professionalism and care, regardless of background or belief.

Community looks different for everyone, but safety, respect, and connection are shared needs. We are grateful to serve a city that continues to show up for one another in many ways, including moments like this.

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.

Preventing crime often comes down to small, thoughtful decisions made ahead of time. This week’s safety focus centers on simple ways to reduce opportunity and increase awareness, especially during everyday routines and travel.

Before you travel, keep plans offline
When heading out of town, avoid advertising your trip on social media. Posting where you are and when you plan to return can unintentionally signal that a home is empty. If you will be away for more than a week, place a hold on mail delivery through the post office. A full mailbox can be an easy giveaway that no one is home.

Work together with neighbors
Crime prevention is strongest when neighbors look out for one another. Being watchful, communicating concerns, and getting to know the people around you all help reduce risk. Organizing or joining a neighborhood program allows residents to learn practical ways to protect their homes, families, and property.

Neighborhood watch programs are about connection as much as prevention. When neighbors work together, criminals and burglars are far less likely to target those areas.

Practice situational awareness
Awareness can be a lifesaver. Staying alert to what is happening around you helps reduce the risk of assault or robbery. This means paying attention in parking lots, while walking, and during daily errands.

One of the simplest but most effective steps is putting the phone down. Looking up, staying present, and trusting your instincts make it easier to spot something that does not feel right before it becomes a problem.

Crime prevention does not require special tools or training. It grows from awareness, communication, and neighbors working together. These habits, practiced consistently, help keep our community safer for everyone.

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.

Crime prevention is not about fear. It is about care.

It is the choice to notice what is happening around us. To lock the door. To look out for a neighbor. To pause before sharing too much online. These small actions, repeated by many people, quietly shape the safety of an entire community.

This week’s focus is a reminder that public safety is not something that lives only in patrol cars or policies. It lives in daily habits, shared responsibility, and a willingness to look out for one another. When we stay aware and connected, we reduce opportunities for crime before harm ever happens.

Thank you for being part of a community that pays attention, looks out, and takes care.

Take one small step this week that strengthens prevention.
Lock your car every night. Clear items from view. Check in with a neighbor. Put the phone down and stay aware when you are out and about.

Small choices matter, especially when we make them together.

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

Q: Can the Brookhaven Police Department check on my home while I’m away?

A: Yes. We do offer residential checks for Brookhaven residents when they are out of town.

To help us respond efficiently and make sure requests are handled accurately, we ask that all residential check requests be submitted through our official online form here. Using the form ensures the information goes directly to the right place and allows officers to conduct checks as resources allow.

If you are planning to be away, submitting the request ahead of time helps us better support you and your neighborhood.

If you recently reached out through the newsletter or another channel, thank you for letting us know. Please use the link provided to complete your request so we can assist you properly.

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!