Vienna Police Make Changes to Increase Social Distancing

The Vienna Police Department is making some alterations to reduce the chance of spreading the coronavirus.

Chief Jim Morris announced today (Wednesday) that the police department plans to increase social distancing by:

• taking police reports via phone for “minor and non-violent crimes”
• restricting access to the police lobby to “immediate police assistance”
• urging people to call the police at 703-255-6366
• suspending low priority services: Ride-Along, PIO public engagements, VIN verifications and child safety seats
  installations

“The process of handling some calls for service over the phone and limiting other services is temporary and will be continually reevaluated in the coming weeks,” Morris said.

Police will show up for incidents for evidence collection and when a crime is in progress, Morris said.

Now, when people call to file a police report, communications personnel will screen callers to see if they meet the criteria for a telephone follow-up.

“If so, you may be advised that an officer will call you back to assess the need to respond in person or complete the
report via telephone,” Morris said. “If you feel that an officer is required, you may make that request, and an officer will respond.”

People are advised to meet police outside and stand several feet apart.  All of the reports will go into the same records management system, Morris said.

“By using telephone reporting, you will help us limit exposure,” Morris said.

Photo via Facebook