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:

A New Year. A Shared Responsibility.

A new year always brings reflection, but it also brings opportunity.

As we step into this next chapter, we want to be clear about one thing. Public safety is not something that happens to a community. It is something we build with one another.

This year, you will see the Brookhaven Police Department continue to show up in familiar ways and also in new ones. We will keep responding, protecting, and serving. But we will also be creating more space for conversation, collaboration, and shared responsibility.

This newsletter is part of that effort. It is not just a place for updates. It is a place to stay connected, informed, and engaged with what is happening in your city and why it matters.

As we begin the year, we invite you into the conversation. What are you seeing in your neighborhood? What questions do you have? What helps you feel safer where you live, work, and gather?

This year is about strengthening the connection between Brookhaven and the people who call it home.

What’s Changing and What’s Staying the Same

While the calendar has turned, our commitment has not changed.

You can expect continued focus on visibility in neighborhoods, proactive patrols, safety education, and community engagement. You will also notice a renewed emphasis on communication. We want residents to know not only what we are doing, but why we are doing it.

That means clearer updates, more opportunities to engage, and a stronger focus on prevention and partnership alongside enforcement.

This year is about building momentum together.

Looking Ahead

Neighborhood Watch Launching Late January

One of the ways we are strengthening that partnership is through the re-launch of the Brookhaven Neighborhood Watch Program, coming in late January.

Neighborhood Watch is not about policing your neighbors. It is about neighbors looking out for one another, sharing information, and working alongside the police department to reduce crime and increase awareness.

Through this program, residents will have access to:

  • Safety education and crime prevention resources

  • Guidance on how to recognize and report suspicious activity

  • Tools to improve communication within neighborhoods

  • Direct connection points with the Brookhaven Police Department

More details on how to participate, attend informational meetings, and get involved will be shared soon. Whether you live in a large community, a small street, or an apartment complex, there will be a way to engage.

Invitation to the Community

Let’s Talk

As we begin this year, we want to hear from you.

What topics matter most to you?
What questions would you like addressed?
What does safety look like in your neighborhood?

You can reply directly to this newsletter or reach out to us at [email protected]. Your feedback helps shape the conversations we have and the programs we build.

This year is not about doing more alone. It is about doing better together.

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.

Safety and Awareness: 10 Simple Ways to Start the Year Safer in Brookhaven

A safer year does not start with big changes. It starts with small, intentional habits that protect you, your family, and your neighborhood. As we begin the year, here are ten simple ways to build safer routines right where you live.

  1. Lock doors and vehicles every time
    Most thefts are crimes of opportunity. Locking up consistently still makes one of the biggest differences.

  2. Remove valuables from plain sight
    Packages, bags, and electronics left visible can invite theft. A quick check before walking away goes a long way.

  3. Update outdoor lighting
    Well-lit homes and walkways help deter crime and improve visibility for neighbors and patrol officers.

  4. Register your security cameras
    If you have cameras, registering them with the Brookhaven Police Department helps officers solve crimes faster when incidents occur nearby.

  5. Get to know your neighbors
    A simple introduction builds awareness, trust, and quicker communication when something feels off.

  6. Slow down on neighborhood roads
    Speeding on residential streets puts everyone at risk, especially children, pedestrians, and pets.

  7. Put phones down while driving
    Distraction is one of the leading causes of crashes. One text is never worth a life.

  8. Report suspicious activity, not assumptions
    If something does not look right, trust your instincts and call it in. Officers would rather check and clear than miss a real concern.

  9. Plan ahead for weather changes
    Cold mornings, rain, and low visibility affect driving and walking conditions. A few extra minutes can prevent accidents.

  10. Stay engaged with your community
    Follow updates, read this newsletter, attend local events, and consider joining Neighborhood Watch when it launches later this month.

Safety is not built in a day. It is built through everyday choices, shared responsibility, and neighbors looking out for one another.

If you see something, say something. Your call could make all the difference. For emergencies, always dial 911.

Brookhaven Police Department

Brookhaven Strong - Moving Forward Together

A new year is not about perfection. It is about intention.

At the Brookhaven Police Department, our intention is clear. We are here to serve, to listen, and to partner with the community we are proud to protect.

Thank you for being part of this space. Thank you for staying engaged. And thank you for helping us build a safer, stronger Brookhaven in the year ahead.

If this issue resonated with you, consider sharing it with a neighbor.

Brookhaven Police Department

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