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Service is not something we turn on for a season.

For the Brookhaven Police Department, service is a commitment that shows up every day, in every neighborhood, and in every situation. It is not defined only by enforcement or emergency response. It is built through presence, partnerships, and meaningful interactions with the people we serve.

While this season often highlights generosity and goodwill, our service to Brookhaven does not begin or end here. We are here in the early mornings and late nights. In the heat of summer and the cold of winter. In moments that feel small and in situations that change lives.

From building relationships with community partners to walking alongside residents during difficult times, our work is rooted in consistency. We do not show up once and disappear. We are here to grow with this community, to listen, to protect, and to serve with professionalism and care.

Whether it is the smallest call for assistance or the largest incident our city faces, Brookhaven Police Department remains committed to being a trusted presence for our residents. Not just this season, but every season.

This is what service looks like in Brookhaven.

That promise to serve is not abstract. It shows up in real neighborhoods, at real addresses, and often within minutes of a call for help. One of the most common concerns we hear during the holidays is package theft. When residents call, our officers respond quickly and with purpose.

On Sunday, December 21, 2025, Brookhaven Police Officers arrested a 35 year old male, of Atlanta, in connection with a porch piracy investigation after a rapid and coordinated response.

Earlier that evening, officers received a Flock Safety alert near Sheridan Road and Someo Court for a vehicle previously linked to porch piracy incidents. While officers were actively canvassing the area, dispatch received a call from a resident on Sheridan Court reporting a package theft that had occurred within the previous five minutes.

Officers quickly located the suspect vehicle as it was leaving the area near Kingsley Circle and Sheridan Road. The vehicle was safely blocked in, and the male was taken into custody without incident.

A search of the vehicle revealed two packages stolen from a residence on Sheridan Court, along with an additional package from an unknown location. Investigators later obtained an arrest warrant for a separate porch piracy incident from December 1, 2025, also in Brookhaven. The male has since been charged with multiple counts of porch piracy.

Chief Brandon Gurley praised the swift action and coordination of officers, noting that technology and proactive patrol work played a critical role in bringing the case to a safe resolution. Tools like Flock Safety, combined with officers actively working neighborhoods, allow police to respond faster, recover stolen property, and protect residents when seconds matter.

Brookhaven Police Department’s camera and license plate reader network continues to strengthen public safety by identifying vehicles linked to criminal activity in real time. This approach improves investigative outcomes and reinforces trust through visible, effective service.

As porch piracy increases during the holiday season, we encourage residents to take steps to protect deliveries, stay connected with neighbors, and report suspicious activity promptly. This case is a reminder that when the community and police work together, service turns into results.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming. Anyone with information related to this case or other porch piracy incidents is encouraged to contact the Brookhaven Police Department at 404-637-0600.

As temperatures drop, warmth becomes more than a comfort. It becomes a need.

This winter, we are asking our community to help us support students and neighbors who may not have access to warm coats. We currently have students in our city who are facing the colder months without proper outerwear, and members of our unhoused community who are especially vulnerable during winter weather.

If you are able, we welcome new or gently used coats of all sizes. Your donation can make a real difference for someone facing the cold.

Drop-off details will be shared through our department channels, or you can reach out directly to [email protected] to coordinate a donation.

Thank you for looking out for one another. Small acts of kindness like this are what keep Brookhaven strong, connected, and caring throughout the winter season.

Download our Brookhaven Police App to stay in the know while you are on the go.

1. Choose a Hidden Drop Spot
Select a concealed delivery location like behind a planter, side gate, or deck box. Save this preference with delivery services such as USPS Informed Delivery, UPS My Choice, or FedEx Delivery Manager.

2. Use Secure Lockers for Valuables
For high-value items, ship to Amazon Hub Lockers, UPS Access Points, FedEx Hold at Location, or USPS Hold for Pickup instead of your front porch.

3. Turn On Delivery Alerts
Enable tracking notifications so you know exactly when a package arrives and can bring it inside quickly.

4. Schedule or Reroute Deliveries
Have packages delivered when you are home or reroute them to your workplace or a nearby carrier location.

5. Team Up With Neighbors
Coordinate with trusted neighbors to collect packages if they sit unattended. A connected neighborhood is one of the strongest theft deterrents.

In a world that often feels unpredictable, one thing should never be in question: who shows up when it matters.

Brookhaven is a city made up of many moments. Some are joyful. Some are difficult. Some are urgent. And some arrive quietly, when no one else is watching. Through all of them, our commitment remains the same.

The work of this department is not defined by a single season, a single call, or a single event. It is defined by consistency. By answering the phone. By knocking on the door. By responding when something feels wrong. By staying when others move on.

You should never have to wonder whether help will come, whether your concerns matter, or whether someone is paying attention. That certainty is part of what public service means to us.

As this season comes to a close, know this: the Brookhaven Police Department will continue to stand ready. Not just when it is convenient. Not just when it is visible. But whenever you need us.

That is our promise to this community.

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