Prince William Police Plan 'National Night Out' With Safeguards

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — The Prince William County Police Department will observe the National Night Out 2020 celebration on the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 4. The police department said coronavirus restrictions will be in place to protect the community and police officers.

County residents are encouraged to turn on outdoor lights and spend the evening outside with their families and neighbors using appropriate social distancing. The event is a casual event held in neighborhoods where residents and police officers can chat about policing and community safety while enjoying a hot dog or hamburger.

In Prince William County, the National Night Out is being coordinated by the Crime Prevention Unit of the police department in partnership with the Prince William Crime Prevention Council.

The National Night Out helps build positive relationships between the community and the police, the department said. Neighborhood Watch programs and the National Night Out "help to create a
neighborhood network to prevent crime and enhance the quality of life in the County," it said.

Neighborhood Watch programs across the county will host motorcade stops where police officers and other law enforcement personnel can meet neighbors. Changes will be made from previous year's celebration due to the coronavirus crisis, including not allowing the public to enter police vehicles.

Other police departments across the country are canceling National Night Out events. Last week, the Leesburg Police Department announced the cancellation of its National Night Out 2020 in early August event due to concerns over the coronavirus crisis.

Instead of holding the event on the first Tuesday in August, police departments in other parts of the country have pushed back the 2020 National Night Out to Oct. 6.