Herndon Police Remind Public To Check Vehicle Inspection Status

HERNDON, VA — The Town of Herndon Police Department wants to remind residents to make sure their vehicle inspections are up to date, even though coronavirus pandemic is still going on.

While Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam ordered many non-essential businesses to close in March, service stations in Herndon — many of which offer vehicle inspections — were deemed essential and remained open during the pandemic.

On March 16, Chief Maggie DeBoard directed HPD officers to use their discretion in taking enforcement actions during the pandemic, including writing tickets for traffic-related offenses, according to HPD spokeswoman Lisa Herndon.

"Under no time was the Herndon Police Department REQUIRED by an executive action of the Governor to create any discretionary period or to cease normal enforcement measures," Herndon said, in an email.

DeBoard directed officers on May 21 to resume normal traffic-enforcement procedures.

So, on Thursday, HPD posted a reminder for town residents to make sure their vehicle inspection was current, otherwise they were at risk of being ticketed.

Gov Northam issued Executive Directive Eight on 3-9, directing VSP to suspend enforcement of Motor Vehicle Safety Inspections (MVSI). This ED does not apply to local municipalities within the Commonwealth. HPD gave its own grace period at the beginning of the crisis...
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/z2uk0EroGi
— Herndon Police (@HerndonPolice) June 25, 2020

Herndon also confirmed that HPD was leaving enforcement of mask-wearing restrictions to individual businesses. Those businesses with mask-wearing restrictions may request a patron wear a mask. If the patron refuses, the business may request the assistance of HPD officers with the removal or banning of the patron from the business.