Ask an Officer: Gun Carry, Crime Follow-Up
Have a question for a Prince William County police officer? Ask it here.
This is our first edition of "Ask an Officer." If you have questions for the Prince William County police department, we'll pass them along to Officer Jonathan Perok and First Sgt. Kim Chinn, public information officers with the department.
Questions can be asked anonymously. Submit your questions to us via e-mail at laurenj at patch.com, by posting a comment on this article, or by sending us a Tweet or a message on our Facebook page.
This week's batch of questions was answered by Officer Jonathan Perok.
1.) What type of follow-up, if any, is done with crime victims? My home was robbed in Oct 2011 and I emailed the officer several times regarding the robbery and I never received a response, nothing since. Any suggestions?
Perok: Please contact me via email and let me know who the officer is so I can look into it.
2.) Is Virginia an open carry state? Where, or when, can you not carry, either open or concealed? Do you have to register firearms in Virginia?
Perok: Yes, Virginia is an open carry state. The Virginia State Police notes in this link where you cannot carry a firearm, concealed or open: http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms_ResidentConcealed.shtm#WhereUnlawfultoCarry. There is no registration in Virginia, however there is an application for a concealed weapon permit which is accepted at the Circuit Court at the county courthouse.
Connie Moser
7:19 am on Monday, April 9, 2012
This is a great feature! Thanks, Patch editors.
Can children play in the street? I see kids playing ball, riding skateboards and bikes all the time. I thought skateboarders and bike riders had to follow the same rules of traffic? Skateboarders, laying down on their boards are the most dangerous.
Lauren Jost
10:07 am on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Connie,
Your question will be answered in tomorrow's Ask the Officer installment at 6 a.m.
Kimberly
10:03 am on Monday, April 9, 2012
Question (two-part): For those times when my husband is away for an extended period of time, I was always taught to call the non-emergency line to request additional patrols until his return. Some believe this increases the threat since I would be letting others know I'm alone, & for how long. Some believe it's a waste of time, that they'll agree to up the patrols, but won't do it. What should one do in this situation, & what action can be expected?
Lauren Jost
11:13 am on Monday, April 9, 2012
Kimberly,
Can you clarify a bit? What do you mean by requesting additional patrols?
Joe George
5:39 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Kimberly, even though I understand your concern with giving indications that you are alone, as someone who has called PWCPD's non-emergency line with a "worry" and each and every time, the dispatcher AND the responding officer have given me the impression that "anytime you feel the need, call" because they prefer to come to something that may be deemed "not that important" than to respond to a crime scene that could have been prevented. PLUS, their appearance will lessen your worries, probably without you even realizing it.
Dwayne & Maryanne Moyers
10:38 am on Monday, April 9, 2012
How many sworn officers are assigned to the Patrol Division. Do these numbers meet the recommended staffing levels set by the Virginia Association of Police Chiefs, or the Fraternal Order of Police? How are staffing numbers (in terms of population comparison) compared to Fairfax County, Stafford County, or other surrounding jurisdictions?
Lauren Jost
10:07 am on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Dwayne & Mary,
Your question will be answered in tomorrow's Ask the Officer installment at 6 a.m.
Fizban
12:38 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012
First of all,there are not enough police to be every where we all know that. Second remember police are a reactionary force ( meaning they can only react after a crime is committed or if you see a robbery in progress) and it takes them time to respond. Our police force in Pr. Wm. are great and do their best but again they can't be everywhere. Kimberly you might look into getting a concealed carry permit and get a hand gun,lots of woman have them. Remember the police are min. away but your gun is with you. Something to think about. Are the police coming to investigate your murder or the person you shot trying to kill or rape you. This a sad time we are in crime is ever where and getting worse. I remember the time you could go somewhere and not have to lock your doors. People could walk around on warm summer evenings on the streets or in the parks and never fear anything. Those days are gone sadly. Think about it.
Joe George
5:39 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Fizban, I agree about women owning a gun (and learning how to use it effectively) and the preference of officers "coming to investigate your murder or the person you shot trying to kill or rape you", I disagree with the reactionary part. Many incidents can be prevented by paying attention and being a concerned citizen. Some people feel that if it does not impact them, they shouldn't get involved. But if you take care of your neighbors, they will take care of you, possibly saving your life.
Fizban
12:58 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012
Something else bothers me about our streets and roads. Have you ever seen these people who drive laying back and all down low in the driver seat with just the head looking thru the steering wheel no less while speeding down the streets and interstates.Talk about safety. What is with this a new fad if so i think its very unsafe.
Joe George
2:03 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
FAR from a new fad.....they did that back when I was a youth.....and that was a few decades agao.
GEORGE MAGEE
9:33 am on Sunday, April 15, 2012
ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON THERE WAS A SEVEN MILE TRAFFIC BACKUP ON RT. 28...WHY?
Lauren Jost
10:54 am on Sunday, April 15, 2012
Hi George,
I haven't heard anything about Route 28 traffic, it's out of my coverage area for Woodbridge. But if I hear of anything I will post it.
Doe
11:01 am on Monday, April 16, 2012
Princewilliam LEOS always create a traffic jam no matter what. I have never seen a worse display of traffic control in my-life . For some reason they cant seem to get a dozen cops from showing up to a simple accident.
For example...last week there was an accident I counted 7 cops cars. This was a mere fender bender.
This was the same day when the police were looking for a person that committed a Felony 2 hours earlier. Seems to me they could do more with less. Since they all convey on the same scene for a traffic accident.
Not even a Felony traffic stop would you need so many LEOS...Very Disappointing. Not a surprise when you have had the same police Chief for the last 100 years.
Joe George
5:39 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
No surprise that "Doe" has no previous response in this forum and was so critical. "I have never seen a worse display of traffic control in my-life." This must be a very young person....or never been anywhere else in his life.
Loree
4:46 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
I would have to agree. Everytime there is an accident with Police response in the county the poilce don't do not seem to be able to conduct traffic efficently! I have seen this on more than one occasion in various areas around the county. More often than not the problem seems to be worse when the accident is on Old Bridge Road during evening rush hour.
Joe George
5:56 am on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
@ Loree, we have a saying in the U.S. Army, instead of just complaining about an issue, come with a possible solution. I'm sure that PWCPD would be more than happy to accept suggestions in improving traffic control. If you truly care about your neighborhood or the flow of traffic, you'd take the time.
Erin Gibson
11:49 am on Monday, April 16, 2012
Hi George, Rt. 28 is a traffic nightmare because of the timing of the lights and the fact there are so many lights on a two-lane road (each way) that is the main thoroughfare to get in and out of Manassas. The area west has seen significant development as far as homes, businesses being built in the last 30 years, but the road has not been improved to accommodate the increase. And if there is an crash, and a lane taken away, then it is just that much worse. The lights at Manassas Drive and Liberia along Rte. 28 are the worst. It takes me 30 minutes just to get out of Manassas, which is about the time it takes for me to get to D.C. from the exit for 66 off of 28 in Fairfax County.
Joe George
2:04 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
When I lived in an apartment complex off of Route 1, when patrols would drive by, it appeared as if they were "checking me out" as I was out and about. Now that I purchased my home (in a totally opposite end of town), it appears as if the patrols drive by with a smile/nod and a wave. Are my impression that officers are more "on guard" in some areas opposed to others in the county?
Linda Popovich
11:43 am on Friday, April 20, 2012
I have two traffic related questions:
1) What is the law regarding postal vehicles, specifically, if a postal vehicle is pulled partially off the side of the road, delivering mail, is it permitted to go around the vehicle? Sometimes, this occurs where there is a double yellow line, and also when the postal vehicle is progressing up that road very slowly, stopping to deliver mail. Can I go around it?
2) Where can I get information about accidents I have seen happen in my area? Several times, I have witnessed accidents and wanted to know what happened to the persons involved, but have never seen anything about it in the newspaper. A friend saw a woman who was a victim of a hit and run, and my friend provided aid and comfort to the victim. After the victim was transported away, my friend had no way to find out what happened to her. Any thoughts?
Thanks.
Rachel Leon
5:16 am on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Don't forget to check out the latest edition of Ask an Officer, which is published every Friday: http://lakeridge.patch.com/articles/ask-an-officer-playing-in-the-street-strip-searches-sworn-officers