Fraud, theft, vandalism and harassing phone calls — those are a few of the things that Arlington County Police say should only be reported online, for now.
ACPD is trying to keep its officers healthy and on the beat during the coronavirus outbreak, but responding to too many non-emergency calls increases the risk of infection. As a result, the police department is asking members of the public to file reports for a number of non-emergency incidents online.
Going forward, police officers may also be seen wearing protective gear like “gloves, masks or eye protection to help reduce exposure,” the department said.
More from ACPD:
All police operations remain fully functional. Public access points including the police front counter and the property unit remain open during normal business hours.
The Arlington County Police Department will divert some non-emergency incidents to the online reporting system. This will help reduce cross contamination within our community while ensuring department maintains a healthy workforce to address emergency calls for service and in-progress crimes. Officers will continue to respond to in-progress crimes and emergency calls for service where there is an immediate threat to life, health or property. Details
The following non-emergency crimes should be reported online:
- Credit card fraud
- Fraud/false pretenses
- Harassing phone call or email
- Identity theft
- Larceny/theft
- Theft from motor vehicle
- Suspicious circumstances
- Vandalism
- Vehicle tampering
Arlington County Police Officers are adhering to the advice of the CDC and, whenever possible, practicing social distancing. Reporting parties and witnesses of emergency calls for service may be asked to step outside to speak to responding officers. The public may also observe officers wearing protective gear such as gloves, masks or eye protection to help reduce exposure.
Out of an abundance of caution and to help mitigate and reduce any unnecessary exposure and spread of #COVID-19, ACPD asks that the public report applicable non-emergency incidents using the online reporting system: https://t.co/Rt1YpR1cev pic.twitter.com/mKU7MHkg9K
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) March 16, 2020
Officers are adhering to the advice of the CDC and, whenever possible, practicing social distancing. Reporting parties and witnesses of emergency calls may be asked to step outside to speak to responding officers.
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) March 16, 2020