Logo of Certified Crime Prevention Community

The Certified Crime Prevention Community Program is a state program to publicly recognize and certify localities that have implemented a defined set of community safety strategies identified by the state Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
 
The purpose of this program is to reduce the fear of crime through the development and implementation of community safety plans that target youth violence gang activity and drug involvement. To obtain certification Prince William County met 12 core community safety elements or strategies which are:
 
  1. The Prince William Crime Prevention Council a non-profit citizen group dedicated to the promotion of community safety through education community events and regular meetings.
  2. Seven Certified Crime Prevention Specialists employed by the Prince William County Police Department.
  3. A nationally recognized Neighborhood Watch program which was established in 1979.
  4. A formal community policing program to ensure police response to quality-of-life issues.
  5. An organized arena to distribute community safety information.
  6. Free home and business safety inspections by specially trained members of the Police Department.
  7. A fully functional Crime Analysis Unit within the Police Department.
  8. A comprehensive school safety audit process.
  9. A Business Watch program.
  10. A victim/witness services program administered by the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
  11. A Serious Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Program (SHOCAP) which enables juvenile-related agencies to share information in order to provide coordinated services for juveniles.
  12. A Police Department that has been nationally accredited since 1987 supervised by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
 

The Police Department also had to have at least seven other optional safety programs to earn the designation which are:
 

 

  1. The McGruff House program administered by the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney which provides shelter for children in emergency situations.
  2. Fleet Watch which uses county-owned vehicles equipped with some form of communication to report suspicious activity.
  3. The Senior Citizen Police Academy and other programs that combine the efforts of law enforcement and senior citizens to reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life among senior residents.
  4. Participation in the annual National Night Out program held each August to promote the benefits of Neighborhood Watch programs.
  5. The McGruff Speaks newsletter which provides pertinent crime information to Neighborhood Watch groups.
  6. The School Resource Officer program which promotes an understanding between police and students in Prince William County Public Schools.
  7. The annual Crime Prevention Awards which are presented by the Prince William Crime Prevention Council in support of community initiatives.

On Jan. 29 2002 Prince William County became the first county in the Commonwealth to earn the designation. 'The Certified Crime Prevention Community program demonstrates the Prince William County Police Department’s long-standing commitment to crime prevention' said Chief Deane. He added that citizens should be proud of the accomplishment because it is just another demonstration that County government places safety as a top priority.
For more information on the certification contact the Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit at 703-792-7270
or e-mail the Unit at crimeprevention@pwcgov.org.