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:
The Brookhaven Snapshot: This week in Brookhaven
This week, our officers had the chance to meet residents in two important spaces: we poured coffee and conversation at Coffee with a Cop at Starbucks on St. Patrick's Day, and we joined St. Martin's Episcopal for their Career Day to inspire the next generation of students. These moments, sitting down one-on-one, remind us why we're here: to build real relationships, one conversation at a time.
Community Message from Brookhaven Police
Spring has arrived, and with it comes longer days, warmer temperatures, and more of us out in our neighborhoods, on our streets, and enjoying the sunshine. We love seeing everyone get outside, there's something about nice weather that brings communities together.
As we settle into this season of activity, we want to walk alongside you in keeping our neighborhoods safe. This week, we're focusing on something that affects all of us: pedestrian safety. Whether you're walking, driving, or both, understanding the rights and responsibilities we all share on the road is how we keep everyone moving safely. We're here to support that conversation, not to shame it.
– Brookhaven Police Department
Pedestrian Rights and Responsibilities
We hear this question a lot: Do pedestrians always have the right of way? The answer might surprise you: it's no.
Just like drivers, pedestrians have both rights and duties on the road. When crossing anywhere other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, pedestrians must yield to all vehicles. In other words, the right of way isn't automatic, it's shared based on where and how you're crossing.
Here's another common question: Can I cross when the red hand signal is showing? No. That hand means "don't walk," just as a red light means stop for drivers. To stay safe and avoid accidents, wait for the white walking symbol before you cross.
If a crosswalk isn't nearby, locate a well-lit area where you have the clearest view of traffic. Wait for a safe gap in traffic that gives you enough time to cross fully. Keep watching for vehicles as you move, don't assume the road is clear just because you've started.
And to our drivers: You have a duty too. At all times, you must exercise due care to avoid hitting a pedestrian, even if they're crossing where they shouldn't be. If a pedestrian ignores their responsibilities, the answer isn't to insist on your right of way, it's to be patient and courteous.
Working together, we make it home safe. It takes all of us.
Community Spotlight: Meet the Brookhaven Community Engagement Unit
This week, we're shining the light on the team that makes CHANGE happen: the Brookhaven Community Engagement Unit.
You might see them this weekend at the Cherry Blossom Festival, they'll be there with our new van C.H.A.N.G.E (Community Hub Advocating Neighborhood Growth and Empowerment) our mobile community engagement experience, ready to meet you where you are.
What is CHANGE? It's Brookhaven's way of meeting people in the neighborhoods at parks, schools, community events, and faith gatherings. It's not a van that shows up once and disappears. It's a commitment to connect, educate, and empower residents through hands-on programming, real conversations, and practical resources.
The Community Engagement Unit designs and runs two core programs: CHANGE Youth, which develops leadership, digital literacy, and conflict resolution skills for students; and CHANGE for the Community, which brings safety education, resource fairs, and neighborhood connection opportunities to residents.
What makes this team special is that they listen first. They're asking residents what you actually need, not what they think you should want. They're turning feedback into action, and they're measuring what matters: attendance, impact, and whether Brookhaven residents feel like the police department is a partner in their neighborhood's growth.
Stop by the Cherry Blossom Festival this weekend to see the van, meet the team, and learn how to bring CHANGE to your neighborhood. Because stronger relationships and safer neighborhoods don't happen by accident, they happen when someone shows up and builds with you.
Crime Prevention - Walking Smarter, Staying Aware
As we get outside more this season, let's talk about how to move through our neighborhoods safely, not with fear, but with awareness.
Before you step out:
Wear visible, reflective clothing, especially in the morning or evening
Leave earbuds at home or keep one ear free to hear traffic and your surroundings
Walk with purpose and awareness, stay alert to what's happening around you
Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back, especially for evening walks
As you're walking:
Stay on sidewalks when available; if there's no sidewalk, walk against traffic so you can see oncoming vehicles
Make eye contact with drivers before crossing; don't assume they see you
Keep your phone out of your hands while crossing
Avoid walking alone late at night; bring a friend or a flashlight
At intersections and crosswalks:
Always wait for the walk signal, those signals exist to keep you safe
Look left, then right, then left again before stepping into the street
Continue looking for traffic as you cross; vehicles can turn and may not see you
Walking is one of the best ways to connect with your neighborhood. A few smart habits make sure you enjoy it safely.
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]
Citizen Police Academy
Dates: March 18 - May 20, 2026 (English) and March 19 - May 21, 2026 (Spanish) (Spanish Postponed until late August 2026).
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Brookhaven Police Dept. 1793 Briarwood Rd NE
Ever wondered what it actually takes to keep Brookhaven safe? Now is your chance to go behind the scenes with the Brookhaven Police Department!
Applications are officially open for the 2026 Citizens Police Academy!
This free, 10-week program gives you an inside look at:
✅ Criminal Investigations
✅ Use of Force
✅ Patrol Functions
✅ Police Technology
✅ 911 Communications & more!
Whether you want to learn more about how your department works or just want to become a better-informed neighbor, this program is for you.
📅 When: Starts March 18th 2026 (Classes held weekly from 7 PM – 9 PM)
📍 Where: Brookhaven Police Department
👥 Who: Residents/business owners 21+
💰 Cost: FREE!
Still accepting applications.
👉 Apply here: https://www.brookhavenga.gov/468/Citizens-Police-Academy
Peter Rabbit and Easter Egg Hunt
Dates: April 4, 2026
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Rd
This year’s egg hunt will begin at 11 a.m. sharp for all children at Blackburn Park. The hunt will be split into age groups (3 and under, 4-6, and 7+) with separate areas for each.
Snap a picture with Peter Rabbit and enjoy activity stations featuring foam egg crafts, DIY eggs, and Easter egg sensory bags. Face painting will also be available at the event.
The fun doesn’t stop at Blackburn Park. After the egg hunt, head over to Brookhaven Park Dog Park, 4158 Peachtree Rd, for ‘Bunny Meet and Treat’ at 1 p.m. Furry friends will be able to pose with the Easter Bunny and enjoy Easter dog treats.
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.
Brookhaven Strong
Brookhaven is more than just a place to live, it’s a community built on connection, Safety is never a solo effort. It requires all of us, pedestrians who stay aware, drivers who stay patient, neighbors who look out for one another, and a department committed to showing up, not just when something goes wrong, but when we can build something strong together.
That's what we've been thinking about this week, especially after connecting with residents at Coffee with a Cop and with students at Career Day. These aren't official police moments, they're human moments. They're where trust actually forms.
As we head into spring, when more of us are out and active, we want you to know: we're thinking about your safety. We're also thinking about your freedom to move, to play, to walk your neighborhood without fear. Those things aren't in conflict. They coexist when we all take responsibility for ourselves and for each other.
Brookhaven is built on neighbors who care. Let's keep building that forward.
— The Brookhaven Police Department
Did You Know
Have a Question? We’ve Got Answers!
In Georgia, pedestrians are involved in nearly 2 in 10 fatal crashes and most of those happen in urban and suburban areas like ours. The good news? Many of these incidents are preventable. When pedestrians follow traffic signals and drivers stay alert, we see real drops in serious accidents. Your choices matter. Every walk matters.
Have a pedestrian safety question or a story about how you stay safe in your neighborhood? We'd love to hear it. Reply to this email or reach out on our social channels.
Got a question? Submit it here, and we might feature it in the next issue!
Stay Connected
The Brookhaven Police Department is committed to staying connected with the community we serve.
Follow us for updates, safety information, and community events throughout the year.
Together, we can continue building a safer Brookhaven.