Your Safety, Your Community: Fresh Ideas for a Safer Brookhaven

In this issue of The Brookhaven Pulse, we’re diving into fresh ways to keep our community safe and informed. From scam prevention tips and traffic safety advice to celebrating local heroes like Big Blue Swim School for their support during the Special Olympics Polar Plunge—we’ve got you covered.

Author

Community Engagement
March 03, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 14 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:

Building Trust, One Day at a Time

Trust isn’t built overnight—it’s built through small, consistent actions that show we’re here for each other. At the Brookhaven Police Department, our goal is to earn your trust every single day by being transparent, responsive, and committed to keeping our community safe.

From hosting Coffee with a Cop events to expanding safety programs and engaging with residents on the issues that matter most, we’re focused on building real connections. But trust is a two-way street, and your involvement is a key part of that process.

So whether it’s sharing feedback, attending community events, or simply reaching out with a question, we want to hear from you. Your voice helps us serve you better, and together, we can build a safer, stronger, and more united Brookhaven—one day at a time.

Thank you for your support and partnership. Let’s keep building trust and making Brookhaven an even better place to call home.

Community Heroes: Polar Plunge Superheroes and Cross Keys Future Leaders

Big Blue Swim School—Making Waves for a Cause!

This week, we’re excited to spotlight Big Blue Swim School as our Community Hero for their incredible support during the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Their team didn’t just show up—they took the plunge right alongside us, helping to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Georgia.

Your participation made a real difference, and we are truly grateful for your partnership and community spirit. Thank you, Big Blue Swim School, for helping us make a splash for a great cause!

More About Big Blue Swim School:

Big Blue Swim School isn’t just about swimming—it’s about building confidence, safety skills, and a love for the water in kids of all ages.

They offer:

  • Flexible Scheduling: Classes that fit busy family routines.

  • Progressive Programs: From beginners to advanced swimmers, each lesson is designed to help kids gain confidence at every level.

  • Top-Notch Instructors: Certified swim teachers who focus on making learning fun and safe.

If you’re looking to help your child build water safety skills, confidence, and have fun, check them out!
👉 Learn more about their programs: Big Blue Swim School

Thank you again, Big Blue Swim School, for diving in to support our community. Your partnership is making waves in Brookhaven!

Traffic Safety Tips: Hit and Run—What to Do If the Other Driver Takes Off!

Accidents are stressful enough, but if the other driver leaves the scene, it can be even more overwhelming. Stay calm and follow these steps to protect yourself and help law enforcement track down the offender:

1️⃣ Gather Information from a Safe Spot:

  • Driver Description: Any identifying features, clothing, or behavior.

  • Vehicle Details: Make, model, color, and if possible, the license plate number.

  • Direction of Travel: Where the other driver headed after the incident.

2️⃣ Document the Scene:

  • Take Photos: If it’s safe, snap pictures of the vehicle, damage, surrounding area, and any debris.

  • Write Down Details: Record everything you remember as soon as possible—small details can make a big difference.

❗️Important Reminder:

Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in Georgia. Make sure to stay put and report the incident immediately by calling 911. Your cooperation helps officers respond quickly and effectively.

🔗 For more information on Georgia’s Hit and Run Law, visit: O.C.G.A. 40-6-270

The more information you can provide, the better the chances of finding the responsible driver. Stay alert, stay safe, and know your rights.

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]

Brookhaven Police Citizens Police Academy - Now Enrolling
📆 Wednesday, March 5th - May 7th | Every Wednesday at 7:00 PM
📍 Brookhaven Police Department

Ever wanted to see what it’s like to be a Brookhaven Police Officer? The Citizens Police Academy is your opportunity to learn firsthand about law enforcement operations, training, and community policing. Engage with officers, participate in hands-on activities, and gain a deeper understanding of how the Brookhaven Police Department serves the community.

🔹 Who can join? Brookhaven residents, business owners, and community members.
🔹 How to sign up? Spaces are limited—secure yours today!

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

Crime Prevention: Beware of Scam Calls—They’re Getting Smarter!

Scam calls are becoming increasingly convincing and can catch even the most cautious among us off guard. Recently, we’ve seen a rise in sophisticated scam tactics targeting Brookhaven residents—here’s what happened and how to protect yourself:

📞 Scam Call #1: The Fake Warrant Hoax

One resident received a call from someone claiming to be with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, stating that they had missed Grand Jury service and that a warrant was issued for their arrest. The scammer:

  • Kept the resident on the phone for over 30 minutes, sounding professional and convincing.

  • Instructed them to drive to the courthouse to “clear the matter up.”

  • Asked them to stop and buy gift cards from Walmart to resolve the issue—a major red flag!

Suspecting a scam, the resident wisely drove to the Brookhaven Police Department instead. The officer confirmed it was a scam.

📞 Scam Call #2: Caller ID Spoofing Chief Gurley’s Number

Another resident reported a missed call that appeared to be from Chief Gurley’s office number. Upon calling back, it was confirmed that:

  • No one from the Brookhaven Police Department had reached out.

  • The number was likely spoofed to appear legitimate.

How to Protect Yourself from Scam Calls:

1️⃣ Never Share Personal Information: No legitimate law enforcement agency will ask for Social Security numbers, bank details, or gift cards over the phone.
2️⃣ Don’t Trust Caller ID: Scammers can spoof local numbers to make the call look genuine.
3️⃣ Hang Up and Call Back: If you’re unsure, hang up and call the official number of the agency directly.
4️⃣ Report Suspicious Calls: Contact the Brookhaven Police Department at 911 if you receive a suspicious call.
5️⃣ Know the Law: Law enforcement will never demand payment over the phone or ask for gift cards to resolve warrants or fines.

If it seems suspicious, it probably is. Stay alert, stay informed, and share this information with your friends and family to help keep Brookhaven safe!

Brookhaven Strong

The Power of Showing Up

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is simply show up—for your community, your neighbors, and yourself. Whether it’s attending a local event, checking in on a friend, or taking a few moments to learn about community safety, small actions add up to big impact.

Showing up builds trust. Every conversation you have, every meeting you attend, and every hand you lend helps create a stronger, more connected Brookhaven.

Showing up creates change. It’s the voices that are heard and the actions that are taken—even the small ones—that shape our community for the better.

Showing up is a choice. It’s a decision to be present, to care, and to take part in something bigger than yourself.

So keep showing up—to city meetings, to local events, to the moments that matter—because when you do, you make Brookhaven stronger. Your involvement is powerful, and it’s making a difference one step at a time.

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: Can I Report Anonymous Tips to the Brookhaven Police Department?

A: Yes, you can! The Brookhaven Police Department encourages residents to report suspicious activities or tips anonymously. Providing information—even without giving your name—can make a big difference in keeping our community safe.

How to Report an Anonymous Tip:

1️⃣ Call the Brookhaven Police Tip Line:

  • Phone: (404) 637-0636

  • You do not have to give your name or contact information.

2️⃣ Submit an Anonymous Tip Online:

  • Visit the Brookhaven Police Department’s website: Submit a Tip

  • Look for the option to report a tip anonymously and provide as much detail as possible.

3️⃣ Use the “See Something, Say Something” Form:

  • This option allows you to describe what you saw, when and where it happened, and any identifying details.

What Information to Include in Your Tip:

  • Who: Descriptions of people involved (clothing, height, age, etc.).

  • What: Details about the incident—what you saw or heard.

  • When: Time and date of the incident.

  • Where: Specific location or landmarks nearby.

  • How: Any details about vehicles (make, model, color, license plate).

Why It Matters:
Your tip could help prevent a crime, find a suspect, or resolve an investigation faster. Every piece of information counts, and your anonymity will always be respected.

If you see something, say something—anonymously or not. Your voice helps keep Brookhaven safe!

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

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