This is What Community Looks Like

Safer streets, smarter choices, and stronger connections. Together we can move as one.

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Community Engagement
July 28, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 13 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:

A New Chapter for the Next Generation

Today marked a powerful first for Brookhaven Police Department. The launch of our very first Teen Academy, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome 25 bright, thoughtful members of our youth into the experience.

From the very first hour, these young leaders showed up with curiosity, bold questions, and a desire to understand the realities of law enforcement, many of which they’ve only encountered through social media or conversation. What they received today was truth, transparency, and the beginning of a two-way conversation.

This academy is more than a summer experience, it’s a community commitment. A reminder that it truly takes a village to raise up strong, informed, and empowered young people, and we’re proud that the Brookhaven Police Department is part of that village.

We’re just getting started and the conversations, learning, and connections this week will shape more than just perspectives, they’ll build trust for years to come.

Special Invite: Are You Really Road-Ready?

Think you (or your teen) have what it takes behind the wheel? Come put your skills to the test at our Driving Simulator Safety Experience, powered by the Georgia Department of Public Safety!

This free event is open to the public and designed for both teens and adults. Whether you're a first-time driver or a seasoned commuter, you'll face real-world scenarios like:

  • Distracted driving

  • Bad weather conditions

  • Tailgating

  • And more, all from the safety of a simulator seat!

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, July 30th
🕣 Time: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Location: Brookhaven Police Department Parking Lot
(1793 Briarwood Rd, Brookhaven, GA 30329)

Minimum age to participate: Middle School

🎮 It’s fun. It’s eye-opening. And it might just change the way you drive.

Don’t miss this chance to learn, engage, and test your reflexes in a high-impact way.
If you are interested please complete the form.

Community Heroes: Lenox Summit, Where Connection Has No Age Limit

This week, we proudly recognize the residents of Lenox Summit Apartments, specifically, the incredible senior community who remind us that building trust and connection isn’t limited by age.

Every month, the Brookhaven Police Department partners with Lenox Summit to bring engaging lessons, meaningful conversation, and interactive activities directly to the residents. From safety education to memory-sharing and laughter, these moments aren’t just informative, they’re impactful.

These visits allow our officers to form real relationships with some of Brookhaven’s wisest residents, bridging generations and creating bonds that go far beyond a single event.

To the team at Lenox Summit and the seniors who welcome us every time with warmth and openness: thank you for being a vital part of our community and showing us what true connection looks like.

🔗 Learn more about Lenox Summit Apartments: lenoxsummitipgliving.com

Lenox Summit Residents and Brookhaven Police Department

Traffic Safety Tips: School Starts Soon, So Slow Down

News flash: School officially starts next week across Brookhaven and that means more buses, more bikes, more kids crossing streets, and more chances to prevent a tragedy with one simple act: slowing down.

As we welcome students back, here are must-know reminders for navigating the roads safely:

School Buses
Under Georgia law (40-6-163):

  • You MUST stop when approaching a school bus with its stop arm extended and lights flashing, whether you’re behind it or coming from the opposite direction.

  • The only exception is if there’s a physical median separating the lanes.

  • Do not move forward until the stop arm is withdrawn and the bus begins moving.

Extra Traffic = Extra Caution

  • Watch for students walking, biking, or hopping off buses, especially near schools and neighborhoods.

  • Leave a few minutes earlier, and give yourself extra time during morning and afternoon pickup hours.

Remember: Kids move fast. Be the adult who slows down.
Let’s keep Brookhaven’s youngest community members safe this school year.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram this week as we post daily Back-to-School driving tips and reminders.

#BrookhavenPD #BackToSchoolSafety #TrafficTipTuesday #DriveSafeBrookhaven.

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]

National Night Out – Back to School Bash

📆 Tuesday, August 5, 2025
🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Briarwood Recreation Center
2235 Briarwood Way, Brookhaven, GA 30329

Brookhaven it’s time to bring the energy, the unity, and the community spirit!

Join us for a vibrant evening at our National Night Out: Back to School Bash, where fun meets purpose. Designed for all ages, this free event is a celebration of neighborhood connection and public safety, just in time for the new school year.

🎶 Live DJ + Music
🎒 Free Back-to-School Supplies
💈 Haircuts & Hairstyles for Students
👟 Teen Summit Resources
🚒 Touch-a-Truck & Emergency Vehicle Displays
🏀 Games, Vendors, Food & Family Fun

This celebration is made possible by our incredible partners:
Dream Teens Community Foundation, Lynwood Park Foundation, Brookhaven Police Department, Brookhaven Parks and Recreation, and Honors Sports Academy.

Bring the kids. Bring your neighbors. And bring your community pride.
Let’s show what Brookhaven is made of: strong neighborhoods and powerful partnerships.

Brookhaven City Centre Community Day

Come celebrate the heart of Brookhaven, together!

Join us for the Brookhaven City Centre Community Day on
🗓 Saturday, August 24 from 10:45 AM–7 PM at City Hall (4362 Peachtree Road NE) as we officially open the doors to Brookhaven’s new City Centre!

This family-friendly celebration includes:

  • 🎶 Live music and entertainment

  • 🛍️ Local vendors and food trucks

  • 🎨 Kid zones, games, and hands-on fun

  • 👮 A chance to connect with your Brookhaven Police Department

  • 🏛️ Tours of our beautiful new City Hall campus

Whether you're new to the city or a lifelong resident, this is your chance to enjoy an evening of community, celebration, and connection.

📍 Bring your family, friends, and neighbors—and help us mark this exciting new chapter for Brookhaven!

Hot Pursuit 5K Glow Run – Let’s Light Up the Greenway

📆 Saturday, August 23, 2025
📍 Peachtree Creek Greenway | 1793 Briarwood Rd, Brookhaven, GA
🕗 Race Start: 8:00 PM

Brookhaven’s favorite glow-up event is back bigger, brighter, and on the beautiful Peachtree Creek Greenway!

Join the Brookhaven Police Department for the Hot Pursuit 5K Glow Run, where runners, walkers, families, and supporters come together for a night of fitness, fun, and purpose. This event features a certified 5K course, a 1-mile Fun Run, and a Tot Trot for our youngest racers.

Proceeds support our Shop with a Badge program bringing holiday joy to local children and building bridges between officers and the community we serve.

All participants receive a glow shirt and race swag
Stay for the music, lights, and post-race fun
Register early to guarantee your shirt size!

Run with us. Glow with us. Make a difference.

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: Stay Alert at the ATM

Whether it’s a quick cash stop or your usual deposit, staying aware during ATM use can prevent more than just fraud, it can protect your safety.

Here are 6 smart safety tips to follow every time:

  1. Scan your surroundings.
    Avoid ATMs that are poorly lit or tucked away from public view.

  2. Protect your PIN.
    Shield the keypad and screen from anyone nearby.

  3. Secure your items immediately.
    Don’t stand at the machine counting money, put it away fast and move on.

  4. Keep your receipt.
    It contains sensitive info. Store it or shred it later.

  5. Trust your gut.
    If something feels off cancel your transaction and leave.

  6. Followed? Don’t panic.
    Head to a public place and call the police right away.

ATMs are convenient, but they’re also a target area for opportunistic crime. A few extra seconds of awareness can make all the difference.

💡 Be alert. Be prepared. Be safe.

Brookhaven Strong

Protect What Matters Most

Every child in our community deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported and that starts with us.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, neighbor, or passerby, you have the power to create a safer world for our youth. That might mean slowing down in school zones, reporting something that doesn’t feel right, or simply being a trusted adult who listens.

Because protecting our children isn’t just a responsibility—it’s a commitment.

And it doesn’t require a badge or a title.

It just takes someone who cares enough to act, to speak up, and to lead with heart.

So today, we challenge every reader:
👉 Look out for the kids in your neighborhood.
👉 Know their names.
👉 Be their village.

When we all show up, our children grow up safer, stronger, and more connected.

Together, we protect their future.

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: What’s the big deal with distracted driving, can’t I just send one quick text at a red light?

A: One “quick” glance down can cost a life especially during the back-to-school season.

Whether it’s your phone, your breakfast, or adjusting the radio, distracted driving significantly reduces your reaction time. That’s a big risk when students, many walking or driving for the first time are sharing the road with you.

Even at a red light, distractions can carry over. You're not fully aware of your surroundings when the light turns green or a child steps off the curb unexpectedly.

The rule is simple:
If it takes your eyes or focus off the road, it can wait.
Pull over if you must handle something urgent, your safety and someone else’s life may depend on it.

Let’s lead by example and keep our youngest pedestrians and drivers safe.

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

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