Brookhaven mayor urges investment in youth recreation after dirt-bike fatality

Brookhaven’s mayor opened the meeting by offering condolences to the family of a young man who died in a dirt-bike collision the previous day and used the moment to call for expanded youth recreation programs.

The mayor said the city must treat recreation as an investment in its future, arguing that "recreation is simply not about sports or playgrounds" but about creating safe spaces where children can learn, build friendships and develop leadership skills. "As mayor, I believe every child in Brookhaven should have access to safe, clean and welcoming recreation facilities regardless of where they live," the mayor said.

A city public safety official reported that the crash occurred "yesterday, on July 5, about 20 or 15 minutes till 7PM" on Martin Luther King Drive and described the death as a loss for the whole community. The official introduced Assistant Chief Willie Gaiton to address safety steps the city can take.

Assistant Chief Willie Gaiton, who said he taught ATV and dirt-bike safety in Mississippi, warned that ATVs and dirt bikes are not designed for street use: "ATVs are all terrain vehicles, and dirt bikes are dirt bikes," he said, adding that operators need training and helmets. Gaiton offered to teach classes and suggested the city consider purchasing land outside the city for an ATV course so riders would not use public streets.

The mayor called on parents, schools, churches, civic organizations and volunteers to support youth programs and mentoring, saying such partnerships can reduce crime and improve public health. He closed the remarks with a prayer for the grieving family and a blessing for Brookhaven.

No formal motions or votes were recorded in the transcript. The city’s next steps, as described in the meeting, were an expression of support for safety education and a request that officials explore off-street training options and recreational investments.