Alexandria Police Cut Back Some In-Person Operations

The Alexandria Police Department is reducing some of its in-person services to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Police announced today (Monday) that several of the departments are closing their in-person services and switching either to online services or appointments only.

• Property Section: the public service window will be closed for walk-up customers and anyone seeking to recover an item will have to call the Property Section at 703-756-6709 to arrange a return, which will be based on staff availability and will not be accomplished in the same day. Police noted on the website that no schedule or an expected timeline could be posted for returns, but estimates range from days to weeks after the first call. Towed vehicle recoveries are not impacted.
• Hack Inspectors Office: the office in charge of licensing of drivers and inspection of taxicabs will only be available by appointment.
• Information Services Section: background checks, copies of crash reports, and insurance verifications will no longer be available in-person until further notice. Background checks will have to be obtained at the state police website. Crash reports can be obtained at the DMV website or an Alexandria Police Department website. Insurance verification must be submitted by mail.

Lt. Courtney Ballantine, a spokesperson for the Alexandria Police Department, said there aren’t many changes planned immediately for the city’s patrol officers.

“The only changes patrol-wise are we’re social distancing, like everybody else,” Ballantine said. “Instead of having an officer go to door, might encourage the complainant to come to the lobby or a public area. Other than that, we haven’t changed posture, it’s more about preventing somebody from coming to headquarters and infecting the whole building.”

File photo by Jay Westcott