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:
The Brookhaven Snapshot: This week in Brookhaven
This week was filled with connection. From the Cherry Blossom Festival bringing families together to our visits at Sequoyah Middle and Ashford Park Elementary where we shared what it means to serve and protect. We're grateful for every moment and opportunity to connect with our community. And this week, we took an important step forward: we hosted our first senior focus group, listening to the people we serve and learning how we can better support them.
At Sequoyah Middle and Ashford Park Elementary, we had the chance to talk with students about what police work actually looks like. Not just enforcement, but community care, problem-solving, and service. We talked about the skills that matter (communication, critical thinking, integrity) and answered the questions kids really ask: Why did you become a police officer? What's the hardest part of the job? How do you help people who are scared? These conversations matter because they build understanding early. When kids see police officers as real people doing important work, it changes how they think about safety, service, and their own role in the community.
Community Message from Brookhaven Police
As we head into spring break season, many of you are gearing up for time away: hiking trails, family road trips, time at the lake, or simply enjoying the beautiful weather outside your home. Whether you're going miles away or staying close to home, we want to talk about something that keeps you safe in all those moments: situational awareness.
Situational awareness sounds like a security term, but it's really just paying attention. It's noticing the person who walks past twice. It's being present when you're on the trail or the bike path, rather than lost in your phone. It's the difference between being on your walk and being aware during your walk. This week, we're focusing on that simple but powerful skill, especially as more of us are outside enjoying this beautiful weather.
Stay safe out there. We're here for you.
– Brookhaven Police Department
Spring Break Travel Safety
Spring break is nearly here, and whether you're heading out of town or enjoying Brookhaven from home, here are key steps to protect your home while you're away:
Before You Leave:
Stop mail and packages. Contact the Post Office or use their Informed Delivery service to pause deliveries. Package theft spikes when homes are vacant.
Secure your home. Lock all doors and windows—even side gates. Leave one interior light on a timer so the home doesn't look empty after dark.
Ask a trusted neighbor to watch. Have them park in your driveway, pull blinds occasionally, or simply keep an eye on things.
Don't advertise your absence. Avoid posting about your trip on social media until you're back home.
Sign Up for a Residential Check: If you're leaving town, Brookhaven residents can take advantage of our residential check program while you're away. We'll do periodic checks of your home to make sure everything looks secure. It's free, it's simple, and it gives you peace of mind.
If you're staying home: Lock up. Stay aware. If something feels off, it probably is; trust that instinct and call us.
Community Spotlight: Our First Senior Focus Group
This week, the Brookhaven Police Department sat down with a small group of seniors to listen, really listen, to what matters to them and what concerns keep them up at night.
The conversation was honest and full of energy. Seniors shared their concerns, questions about resources available to them, and ideas for ways they could connect more with the community and with us. We learned that connection, safety, and feeling heard matter just as much as any specific program.
This focus group is just the beginning. The Community Engagement Unit is working to host several senior events throughout the year; paces where seniors can ask questions, build relationships with officers, and connect with resources that serve them. We know that when seniors feel supported and included, our entire community is stronger.
Are you a senior with suggestions, concerns, or ideas? We want to hear from you. Reach out to us at [email protected] and let us know what matters most. Your voice shapes how we serve.
Crime Prevention - Spring Break Awareness
As you travel this spring break, scammers are working overtime. Here's what to watch for:
Package Delivery Scams: You receive a text saying your package couldn't be delivered. You click the link, enter payment info, and lose money. Don't click. Contact the company directly using the number on their official website.
Hotel and Travel Booking Scams: Fraudulent travel websites offer deals that seem too good to be true, because they are. Book directly with the hotel or use trusted, verified booking sites. Check the website URL carefully.
ATM and Payment Skimming: Criminals attach devices to ATMs to steal card information. Use ATMs in well-lit, monitored locations (like banks or grocery stores). Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
While Away: Check your bank and credit card accounts regularly. Enable transaction alerts on your phone so you're notified of any unusual activity immediately.
The best defense? Pause and verify. When in doubt, contact the company directly using information you trust, not links from messages or emails.
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]
Autism Awareness Caravan/Event
Dates: August 4, 2026
Time: 9:00-10:30am - Cars must arrive at Brookhaven Police Headquarters
Caravan will start at 11:00am
Location: Brookhaven Police Dept. 1793 Briarwood Rd NE
The City of Doraville and Autismo Pequeños Corazones Gigantes in collaboration with the Police Departments of Doraville, Brookhaven and Chamblee are proud to host a free and inclusive event for the entire community to foster autism awareness, share valuable resources, and celebrate our neurodivergent community.
The Caravan will begin at the Brookhaven Police Department and travel nearly 7 miles through Brookhaven and Chamblee, concluding at the Forest Fleming Arena in Doraville. We invite people to gather along Buford Highway to cheer on the caravan! Them join us at the Forest Fleming Arena for the Event.
Join us to celebrate our Third year of the Autism Awareness Caravan and Event
Peter Rabbit and Easter Egg Hunt
Dates: April 4, 2026
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Rd
This year’s egg hunt will begin at 11 a.m. sharp for all children at Blackburn Park. The hunt will be split into age groups (3 and under, 4-6, and 7+) with separate areas for each.
Snap a picture with Peter Rabbit and enjoy activity stations featuring foam egg crafts, DIY eggs, and Easter egg sensory bags. Face painting will also be available at the event.
The fun doesn’t stop at Blackburn Park. After the egg hunt, head over to Brookhaven Park Dog Park, 4158 Peachtree Rd, for ‘Bunny Meet and Treat’ at 1 p.m. Furry friends will be able to pose with the Easter Bunny and enjoy Easter dog treats.
City of Brookhaven Senior Brunch
Dates: April 10, 2026
Time: 11:30am-2pm
Location: City Centre, 4001 Peachtree Rd
The City of Brookhaven invites senior residents to its inaugural Senior Brunch on Friday, April 10. The event will take place at Brookhaven City Centre, 4001 Peachtree Rd NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join Mayor Pro Tempore and District 4 Council Member John Funny at this Brunch to learn about programs and resources available through the City of Brookhaven and its partners.
Registration is free but required, as space is limited. To reserve a spot, please complete the online registration form at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LDTGQKX
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.
Brookhaven Strong: Power of Partnerships
This week reminded us of something we know to be true: we don't do this alone.
The Cherry Blossom Festival brought together community members, city staff, local businesses, and our officers, all working toward the same goal of creating a day where families felt safe and celebrated. The career days at our schools wouldn't happen without principals and teachers who want kids to see police officers as neighbors, not just authority figures. And the senior focus group? That's possible because seniors trusted us enough to show up and be honest.
These partnerships aren't nice-to-haves. They're the foundation of everything we do. When residents, schools, businesses, and police move together; even on something as simple as a festival or a conversation, that's when trust builds. That's when problems get solved. That's when community actually becomes community.
Thank you for showing up. Thank you for believing that we're stronger together.
— The Brookhaven Police Department
Did You Know
Have a Question? We’ve Got Answers!
Spring break is one of the most common times for home burglaries in Georgia. According to Georgia law enforcement data, residential break-ins increase by approximately 20-25% during spring break weeks as thieves target homes they know will be empty. The good news? Simple steps like asking a neighbor to watch your home, using timers on lights, and signing up for a residential check can significantly reduce your risk. Small actions. Big impact.
Got a question? Submit it here, and we might feature it in the next issue!
Stay Connected
The Brookhaven Police Department is committed to staying connected with the community we serve.
Follow us for updates, safety information, and community events throughout the year.
Together, we can continue building a safer Brookhaven.