The Crime Prevention Unit of the Prince William County Police Department is set to host a virtual Community Watch presentation on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 6 p.m. This informative session, which will last approximately one hour, aims to equip residents with the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance community safety.
To participate in the virtual meeting, interested individuals must register by visiting this link and entering the session password “safe.” The Crime Prevention Unit can be reached at (703) 792-7270 for further inquiries.
Topics Covered
The upcoming training session will focus on three critical areas:
1. Situational Awareness: Enhancing the ability to identify and avoid potential dangers.
2. Crime Reporting: Instruction on effectively reporting incidents to the police to contribute to a safer community.
3. Home Security: Practical strategies to improve home safety and reduce crime risk.
Community Watch in Prince William County
Prince William County boasts over 400 recognized Community Watch groups, each playing a vital role in maintaining neighborhood safety. These groups vary in participation levels but collectively contribute to a safer environment for all residents.
How to Form a Watch Group
Residents interested in forming or joining a Community Watch group are encouraged to attend one of the monthly training sessions. These meetings, alternating between in-person and virtual formats, provide essential education on situational awareness, crime reporting, and home security. Detailed information about these sessions can be found on the police department’s website and social media platforms.
The Importance of Community Watch
The Community Watch program has been a cornerstone of public safety in Prince William County since the 1970s. Recognizing the challenges of modern life, the program is evolving to serve the community’s needs better. The police department is transitioning from the traditional “Neighborhood Watch” to the more inclusive “Community Watch.” This rebranding emphasizes collective responsibility and aims to foster greater community engagement.
One significant change in the program is the shift from relying on a single group coordinator to a more direct communication model. Information will be sent directly to each Community Watch member, ensuring timely updates and improved coordination. This structural change and the new “Community Watch” branding reflect a commitment to inclusivity and collective effort in crime prevention.
They believe she was shot on the scene and left for dead.
More from Prince William police:
Homicide Investigation – On July 18 at 8:23PM, officers responded to the area of Pineview Rd and Cregger Ln in Manassas (20111) to investigate a shooting. Officers arrived on the scene and located an 18-year-old woman in a nearby wooded area suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper body. The woman was pronounced dead on the scene. No other injuries or property damage were reported, and no suspects have been located at this time. Detectives are actively investigating the incident to determine what led up to the shooting and are seeking to speak with anyone who can aid in the investigation. Preliminarily, the incident does not appear to be random. More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.
Identified:
The deceased was identified as Ashlin Yamileth PAZ, 18, of no fixed address.
A fifth suspect is charged in a shooting that occurred outside Manassas Mall on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
As we reported in the link above, one of the suspected shooters was out on bond in connection to a December 2023 incident where he was charged with Reckless with a Gun Causing Permanent Serious Bodily Injury, a class 6 felony. His charges were later escalated to the Prince William County Circuit Court, where he was indicted on multiple counts, including Reckless Handling of a Firearm, Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm Under 18 Years Old, and Malicious Wounding.
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Police have found what appears to be a body floating in a lake at the Woodbridge Campus of Northern Virginia Community College.
“We are awaiting additional [information] to confirm, but it is most likely a person,” said Prince William police spokeswoman Renee Carr. “There is no public safety threat and no immediate indication of foul play.”
Rescue crews were called to bring a boat to pull the object from the water.
More as we have it. Stay up to date with our news email.
Police were called to corral some wayward bovines in Nokesville.
Officers were on Hazelwood Drive at about 3 p.m., in a rural area of Prince William County, to round up the cattle. It’s unclear how many cows are loose.
Drivers can expect some street closures while police whip out their lassos.
Here’s hoping the cow’s owner rewards your good work with a complimentary steak or jug of milk, depending on the type of cows.
See news happening? Send us a text 571-989-1695.
Photo: Daniel Quiceno on Unsplash
Jonathan Matthew Campbell, 37, was arrested and charged on June 22 by Prince William County Police following an investigation into sexual assaults reported to have occurred between February 2015 and February 2016.
In the daily incident report released by Prince William County, the investigation reported the accuser, who was under 13 years old at the time of the offenses, was sexually assaulted more than once by Campbell, who she knew. The investigation revealed two other girls under 13 were sexually assaulted between January 2018 and April 2019.
More from Prince William Police:
On June 22, detectives concluded an investigation into sexual assaults that were
reported to have occurred at a residence in the Manassas (20111) area of Prince William County between February 2015 and February 2016. The investigation revealed the victim, who was under the age of 13 at the time of the offenses, was sexually assaulted on more than one occasion by the accused, who was known to the victim. While investigating the incident, detectives determined that the accused sexually assaulted two other known girls who were also under the age of 13 between January 2018 and April 2019. Following the investigation, detectives obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Jonathan Matthew
CAMPBELL, who was taken into custody in Manassas City on June 22.Jonathan Matthew CAMPBELL, 37, of no fixed address
Charged with 1 count of rape, 4 counts of aggravated sexual battery, and 1 count of indecent
liberties
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Police spotted the stolen truck on Worth Avenue in Woodbridge, near a Walmart and Potomac Mills mall, just before 10 a.m.
Police did not pursue the truck. It was last seen on Prince William Parkway, entering Interstate 95 south toward Stafford.
Prince William County police do not pursue vehicles. However, Stafford County and Virginia State Police do.
More as we have it.
Editor’s note: Facebook continues to remove our crime posts. It doesn’t want you to have information about crime in your area—information you need to keep your family safe. Sign up for our free news email and never miss a post.
On July 9 at 2:08PM, officers responded to Manassas Mall located at 8300 Sudley Rd in Manassas (20109) to investigate a shooting-in-progress. Arriving officers conducted a precautionary search of the building resulting in no active scene being identified. Preliminary indications are an altercation occurred outside the mall in the parking lot between two groups. At one point during the encounter, shots were fired, and the parties dispersed. Uninvolved parties and possible witnesses ran into the mall alerting others to the incident in the parking lot, sparking initial panic. Two injured parties have been identified, one was taken to an area hospital with a gunshot wound to the lower body where police were notified, and the other was located on the scene with a minor wound to the lower body believed to have been caused by a ricochet. No additional information is known about these individuals or their possible involvement, if any, in the incident. Both parties are expected to survive. A vehicle has been stopped near the incident and additional parties have been detained. Their involvement in the incident has not been confirmed at this time. Police remain on the scene. The incident is contained and is not believed to be random. Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information to aid in the investigation to contact police at 703-792-6500. General access to the mall may be restricted at this time as the investigation continues.Original post 3 p.m. -- Two people were shot at Manassas Mall at the food court at about 2 p.m. One of the victims was flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital, while another was taken to Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center. The second victim appeared to have been grazed by a bullet. Police swept the mall and found no other injuries. According to initial reports, multiple people were seen fleeing the mall toward a wooded area along Ashton Avenue. The call went out at 2:11 p.m. More as we have it. Get our free daily news email for updates on this story.
*UPDATE: Incident occurred at Manassas Mall. Officers are on scene conducting a precautionary check of the building. Two injured parties being treated, unknown extent of injuries. Incident is contained and does not appear to be random. Investigation continues. https://t.co/61RWlobwlp
— Prince William County Police Department (@PWCPolice) July 9, 2024
