October, 26, 2020
Media Contact:
Officer Michael Drogin
Public Information Officer
(703) 771-4538
mdrogin@leesburgva.gov
Leesburg Police Department Eases Certain Temporary COVID-19 Changes
Leesburg, VA – The Leesburg Police Department takes the health and safety of our officers and our community very seriously. As Northern Virginia continues our journey through Phase 3 of reopening, the Leesburg Police Department will begin the process of resuming certain services that were previously offered to the community prior to being temporarily suspended as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This includes the immediate reopening of the Leesburg Police Department lobby to the public. We will additionally continue certain health safety measures that have been put into place for the health and safety of our officers and of our community.
Services That Have Resumed:
• The Leesburg Police Department lobby has reopened to the public. For the health and safety of our staff, and pursuant to the Governor’s executive order, persons obtaining in-person services inside of our Headquarters are REQUIRED to wear a face covering. You are requested to bring your own face covering; however, if you do not have a face covering one will be provided by our staff. Those unable to wear a mask are asked to use the outdoor call box to the right of our lobby entry doors, or to call our dispatchers at 703-771-4500.
o While our lobby has reopened, weather permitting and when possible persons meeting with an officer will be directed to meet with the officer outside in front of our station.
• Public access to both the medication disposal drop box and the Town’s Finance Department bill pay drop box in our lobby have resumed.
• In-person Records services have resumed, however many requests can be completed over the phone during business hours at 703-771-4506 or on-line 24/7/365 at https://www.leesburgva.gov/departments/police.
Continued Temporary Adjustment of Services:
• Fingerprinting services offered to the general public remain suspended.
• Car seat inspection services remain suspended.
• All tours of the police station, cruisers, and other equipment remain suspended.
• The Leesburg Police Department Ride-Along program remains suspended.
• Larger police department public events, such as Coffee with a Cop, remain suspended in line with public gathering restrictions and recommendations set forth by Governor Northam.
• The majority of tours that involve an officer traveling to another location, such as a daycare or house of worship, remain suspended.
• The use of the Leesburg Police Department’s Community Room by public groups remains suspended.
Ongoing Health Safety Measures in Officer Response to Calls for Service:
• Our officers have been directed to use social distancing to avoid unnecessary physical contact with non-arrestees. This may include not shaking hands with members of the public and/or remaining at a distance of six feet when possible.
• You may notice our officers wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including but not limited to, rubber gloves and/or facemasks if physical contact or being in close proximity is deemed necessary.
• Our officers have been directed to routinely wash their hands with soap and water, or if in the field to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Our officers have been issued sanitizing spray and wipes for their cruisers, equipment, and gear.
• We have increased cleaning and sanitizing of commonly touched surfaces in our station.
• We will continue to take police reports over the phone, rather than in person, whenever possible.
Chief Greg Brown would like the public to know that we appreciate your continued cooperation as we work together towards fully reopening. We continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners during this time to ensure that public safety remains our #1 priority.
We kindly ask that members of the public follow the advice of healthcare professionals. If you are sick or exhibiting symptoms, please do not come to our station for routine services. We ask that you instead reach out to us via our Dispatch at 703-771-4500, by email, or via the Internet.
The reopening of the Leesburg Police Department lobby remains subject to change without notice, pursuant to the ongoing review of current health data and trends related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The Loudoun County Health Department is the primary agency responsible for local response to a public health concern, including COVID-19. For information about the current situation, recommended actions, and the planned response, please visit the Loudoun County Health Department website: www.loudoun.gov/coronavirus. Residents may also text LCCOVID19 to 888777 receive text alerts from Loudoun County about Coronavirus.
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