Stop. Look. Listen. Keeping Brookhaven Safe, One Choice at a Time.

We’re tackling critical safety issues that impact our community every day. From school bus safety reminders to the real dangers of driving under the influence of prescription medications, we’re making sure you have the knowledge to make safer choices.

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Community Engagement
March 17, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes

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:

School Bus Safety—A Community Responsibility

Brookhaven, we need your help!

One of the biggest concerns we’ve seen on our roads is drivers failing to stop for school buses when the stop arm is out. This isn’t just a traffic violation—it’s a serious safety issue that puts children at risk.

Here’s a critical reminder: If a school bus is stopped and there is no physical median in the roadway, ALL lanes of traffic must stop.

Unfortunately, we’ve noticed an increasing number of drivers ignoring this law on our busiest roads. Whether you’re in a rush or simply unaware, passing a stopped school bus is dangerous and illegal. A moment of impatience is never worth a child’s life.

Our officers are actively monitoring school bus routes, and we will continue enforcing school bus safety laws to protect our youngest and most vulnerable community members. But safety starts with all of us—stay alert, follow the law, and help keep our children safe. Let’s work together to make Brookhaven’s roads safer for every student.

Community Heroes: The Brookhaven Police Traffic Safety Team & Uniform Patrol

This week, we’re recognizing two critical teams that work day in and day out to keep our streets safe—The Brookhaven Police Traffic Safety Team and Uniform Patrol.

With the increase in school bus safety violations, these officers have been actively monitoring bus routes, school zones, and high-traffic areas to ensure drivers are following the law. Their efforts go beyond enforcement—they’re out there educating the community, increasing visibility, and making sure our youngest residents can get to and from school safely.

Every stop sign enforced, every warning given, and every patrol near a school bus is a step toward preventing accidents and protecting children.

To the officers on our Traffic Safety Team and Uniform Patrol, thank you for your vigilance, dedication, and commitment to keeping Brookhaven’s roads safe. Your work saves lives, and we appreciate everything you do for this community!

Traffic Safety Tips: Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way?

One of the most common questions we hear is: “Do pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way?” The answer? No. Just like drivers, pedestrians have both rights and responsibilities when using the road.

🚶‍♂️ When Pedestrians Must Yield:

  • If crossing outside of a marked crosswalk or intersection, pedestrians must yield to all vehicles.

  • Crosswalk signals matter! If the red hand is up, crossing is not allowed—it’s the same as running a red light. Wait for the white walking symbol before proceeding.

  • If no crosswalk or intersection is available, pedestrians should find a well-lit area, ensure they have a clear view of traffic, and wait for a safe gap before crossing.

🚗 What Drivers Need to Know:

  • Drivers must always use caution—even if a pedestrian is crossing improperly, exercise patience and avoid an accident.

  • Stay alert near schools, parks, and busy intersections.

  • Never assume a pedestrian sees you—slow down and be prepared to stop when approaching crosswalks.

🚦 Pedestrian and driver safety is a shared responsibility. If we all do our part, we can reduce accidents and ensure everyone arrives safely.

Community Events

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!

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

Prescription Medications & Driving—Know the Law!

Did you know that a valid prescription is NOT a defense for DUI in Georgia? Even if your medication is prescribed by a doctor, if it impairs your ability to drive safely, you can be arrested for driving under the influence (DUI).

⚠️ Read the Warning Labels!

Many prescription medications come with warnings that prohibit operating heavy machinery—including driving. Some common side effects include:
✅ Drowsiness
✅ Blurred vision
✅ Dizziness
✅ Slowed reaction time

🚗 If You Feel Different, You Drive Different!

  • Plan ahead if you’re taking a new medication—avoid driving until you know how it affects you.

  • Follow dosage instructions carefully and never mix medications with alcohol.

  • Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure whether your prescription affects your ability to drive.

🚔 What Happens If You Drive Impaired?

  • A DUI from prescription medication carries the same penalties as alcohol-related DUIs.

  • Officers can conduct field sobriety tests if they suspect impairment.

  • You could face license suspension, fines, and even jail time.

Driving while impaired—whether from alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medication—is dangerous and illegal. Your safety and the safety of others depends on responsible decisions.

Brookhaven Strong

The 5-Second Rule – Take Action Now!

Have you ever had an idea, a goal, or something you knew you should do—but you hesitated, and the moment passed? That’s where Mel Robbins’ 5-Second Rule comes in:

The rule is simple:
When you feel the urge to act on a goal, count down: 5-4-3-2-1—GO! 🚀

Why? Because your brain is wired to protect you from discomfort and hesitation kills action. But when you count down and physically move, you interrupt doubt and take control.

How to Use the 5-Second Rule:

✅ Want to start working out? 5-4-3-2-1—Get up and go!
✅ Need to make a tough call? 5-4-3-2-1—Dial the number!
✅ Hesitating to speak up? 5-4-3-2-1—Say it!

Small moments of action create big changes over time. Don’t let hesitation hold you back—count down, take action, and step into your potential.

#5SecondRule #TakeAction #BrookhavenStrong #NoMoreHesitation

Engage with Us

Have a Question? We’ve Got Answers!
This section answers questions submitted by our community.

We Want to Hear from YOU!

Our goal is to keep The Brookhaven Pulse engaging, informative, and valuable to YOU—our community. Now, we’re turning the Q&A section over to you, our readers!

What topics would you like to see featured in future issues? 🚔💡

  • More safety tips?

  • Behind-the-scenes with Brookhaven PD?

  • Community spotlights?

  • Crime prevention strategies?

Drop your suggestions below or send us a message—we want to make this newsletter better for YOU!

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

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