Stay Aware, Stay Safe: Protecting Brookhaven Together.

Meet Our Public Safety Canine, review safety tips and a special high-five for those who keep pushing forward.

Author

Community Engagement
February 03, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

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

Not a subscriber yet? Sign up here.

In this week's issue:

#Brookhaven Strong

Dear Brookhaven Residents,

At the Brookhaven Police Department, our goal is simple: to serve every member of our community with fairness, professionalism, and respect.

We know that trust is built through actions, and we are committed to policing without bias, making decisions based on safety, and ensuring that every resident feels protected and valued.

Brookhaven is a diverse, growing community, and we are proud to serve everyone who calls this city home. By working together, staying engaged, and continuing open conversations, we can create a safer, stronger, and more connected Brookhaven for all.

Thank you for being part of this community—we are here for you.

Brookhaven Police Department

Community Heroes: PSAC Colin - A New Kind of Support

PSAC Colin Swearing In

This week, we’re spotlighting Colin, the Brookhaven Police Department’s first Public Safety Assistance Canin (PSAC), and his handler Sgt. Murray.

Colin isn’t jus any K9, he has a special mission: to support the mental well-being of our officers. The PSAC program was created to assist with:

  • Crisis Intervention - providing comfort during high-stress situations.

  • Post-critical incident support - helping officers process difficult calls.

  • Mental health assistance - working alongside peer support team and clinician.

The PSCAC team will be on-call, ready to provide emotional support and therapy response whenever needed. We’re excited to see the positive impact Colin and Sgt. Murry have on our department and community.

Safety Tips: Staying Safe in Brookhaven Parks

Brookhaven’s parks are great places to relax, exercise, and spend time with family, but safety should always be a priority. Here are a few tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

  1. Be Aware of Your Surroundings - stay alert, especially when walking alone in less crowded spaces.

  2. Keep Valuables Secure - Avoid leaving bags, purses, or electronics unattended.

  3. Stay on Marked Paths - Stick to designated walking and biking trails especially at night.

  4. Follow Park Hours and Rules - Parks close at designated times for safety reasons.

  5. Report Suspicious Activity - If you see anything concerning, contact the Brookhaven Police Department and call 911.

A little caution goes a long way - enjoy beautiful parks while staying safe!

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]

Special Olympics Polar Plunge
📆 Saturday, February 22nd | 12:00 PM
📍 Acworth Beach 4425 Beach St., Acworth, GA. 30101

Join us as we gear up for the Polar Plunge which is one of the biggest events in support of the Special Olympics, and we want YOU to be part of it! Join us for Freezin’ for a Reason with your Brookhaven Police department as we show our support for these amazing athletes.

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!

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

Protect Yourself from Tax Season Scams

As tax season approaches, scammers ramp up their efforts to steal personal and financial information. Stay one step ahead by knowing the warning signs:

  1. IRS Impersonation Calls and Emails - the IRS will never call, email, or text you demanding immediate payment or personal details. If you receive such a message, ignore it and report it to the IRS.

  2. Fake Tax Preparers - Only use trusted professionals. Research preparers before sharing sensitive information.

  3. Refund Fraud and Identity Theft - File your taxes early to prevent criminals from fraudulently filing in your name.

  4. Verify Suspicious Requests - If someone claims to be from the IRS, contact the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/help/let-us-help-you

If you suspect tax fraud or identity theft, report it to the IRS and the Brookhaven Police Department. Stay vigilant, informed and secure this tax season!

Brookhaven Strong

This one’s for you, the people who keep showing up, pushing forward, and doing the work, even when no one’s watching.

To those juggling responsibilities but still making time to improve. To those facing challenges but refusing to back down. And to everyone who’s choosing progress over perfection and effort over excuses.

We see you. Your consistency matters. Even on the hard days, even when it feels slow, you’re building something great.

So here’s a virtual high-five to everyone out there grinding, growing, and refusing to quit. Brookhaven is better because of people like you!

Keep going, we’ve got your back! #BrookhavenStrong

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: “I heard what sounded like gunshots near my home. What should I do?”

A: If you hear gunfire, treat it as a serious situation and take action immediately:

Call 911 Right Away – Do not assume someone else will report it. Even if you're unsure, it’s always better to let officers investigate.

Provide Details – When calling 911, give as much information as possible:

  • Your location and the general area where the shots came from.

  • How many shots you heard.

  • Any suspicious activity or vehicles in the area.

Do Not Post Instead of Calling – Social media can’t dispatch officers. 911 is the fastest way to get help.

If You See Something, Report It – If you notice anything unusual after the incident, contact the Brookhaven Police Department’s by calling 911.

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

Reply

or to participate.