Community Policing

One of the more prominent difficulties in Community Policing is educating both the public and law enforcement regarding the meaning of Community Policing. Often, Community Policing is misidentified simply as a community relations effort. Rather, Community Policing is a belief or a philosophy concerning an approach to law enforcement that often employs nontraditional methods of problem solving. In attempting to define Community Policing as simply as possible, the following basic objectives of Community Policing have been established by the Sheriff’s Office:

Community Policing Deputies must be accessible to and interact with members of the community on a regular basis. Acountability is a cornerstone of this component.
Community Policing Deputies and members of the community together must identify problems or problem areas in their neighborhoods.
Community Policing Deputies and members of the community must then form a partnership and together formulate problem solving strategies by utilizing both traditional and non-traditional law enforcement methods.

Community Policing personalizes police service. It involves the citizen in the effort to improve the quality of life and reduce crime in the communities. Community Policing Deputies attend monthly community meetings where they hear concerns and issues from people. Many of these meetings are homeowners association gatherings or Neighborhood Watch sessions but often are other groups as well. This contact is important in this relationship because law enforcement and the community are often not on the same page. These arrangements go far in clearing one of the first hurdles in building a successful relationship – understanding each other.

Another important element of Community Policing is a firm belief in the “Broken Window Theory.” If the little problems aren’t taken care of then larger problems will follow. If an individual notices that a community is in a state of degradation with bad lighting, non-maintained streets and buildings, and broken windows, then they feel that residents there do not care enough for their neighborhood and that the risk of them being caught practicing illegal activity is less. To the contrary, a well-maintained neighborhood with concerned citizens provides a naturally riskier environment for those engaged in criminal activity.

Community policing means that law enforcement helps to identify these issues and mutually agrees with communities about how to deal with them. Community Policing does not abandon the traditional approach and often takes enforcement action when needed.

Sheriff Non-Emergency

703-777-1021

Stolen Item Recovery

703 771-5362 – This number may be used to check on the recovery of items such as stolen bikes.

Solicitors

Newberry has a posted “No Solicitors” policy. Regardless, they sometimes either do not see the signs or simply choose ignore them. If a solicitor comes to your door, you should inform them that there is a “No Solicitors” policy and ask them to leave, but if you choose to let them engage you, please be aware of the following information provided by Loudoun County.

The County Board of Supervisors realizes that some of these individuals can be aggressive and intimidating for some residents. Loudoun County Codified Ordinance 828.04 requires registration with the Sheriff prior to peddling or soliciting within the county.

The individuals should have a Sheriff’s Office solicitors license in their possession at all times while conducting business. This license should display their personal information (includes a description of the person), employer information, a description of the services they are selling and the signature of the Sheriff. Many solicitors also carry business identification, however this does not discharge them from complying with the requirements of 828.04.

Additionally, Codified Ordinance 828.08 provides for a standard of conduct that must be adhered to by the salesman. This includes identifying themselves when entering upon another’s property, they must leave the property when requested by the homeowner and conducting themselves in an orderly and lawful manner at all times. In addition, sales may not be conducted door-to-door between the hours or 9:00 pm and 9:00 am.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency phone number at 703-777-1021 if they believe a salesman is not complying with the county ordinance. A deputy will be dispatched to the area to investigate the complaint. Questions about the ordinance may be directed to the Community Policing Office at 703-729-4497.

Mail/Identity Theft

If you believe you are a victim of mail theft and have not filed a police report, please contact the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021.

If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, the Sheriff’s Office is advising you to take the following steps:

1) Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports, and review the reports carefully. The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert; a call to one company is sufficient:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

2) Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently. Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your authorization. Use the ID Theft Affidavit at Federal Trade Commission – ID Theft Website. Ask for verification that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged. Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.

3) File a police report.

4) Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission:

Federal Trade Commission – ID Theft Website

By phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT; TTY: 1-866-653-4261 5.

Virginia Attorney General Identity Theft Site

Community Policing

Sheriff Non-Emergency

Stolen Item Recovery

Solicitors

Mail/Identity Theft

Helpful Links