Important NOVA Resources for Staying Safe

Recently, you may have seen a “Timely Warning” email from the NOVA Police about an incident in the Annandale parking garage. That notification email is one of many tools and resources used by the NOVA Police and the College to help keep our community safe. In the interest of information sharing, below is a brief overview of the tools and resources available.   

Why did we receive the Timely Warning notification?
The Jean Clery Campus Safety Act requires the College to issue a notification to the College community when any Clery Act crime occurs on College property and is reported to campus security authorities, College or local police and is considered by the NOVA Chief of Police or designee, to represent a serious or continuing threat to students and employees.

Timely warnings are triggered by crimes that have already occurred but represent an ongoing threat. In the case of the April 11 incident, the suspect has not been apprehended, so the NOVA Police issued the timely warning to enable the campus community to take precautions as needed. For example, you could plan to walk to your car with a friend or colleague, rather than walking to your car alone at night.

Who are the NOVA Police?
The NOVA Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency. NOVA police officers patrol the campuses and respond to calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NOVA police officers have the same authorities and responsibilities as all Commonwealth law enforcement officers. NOVA officers are sworn to preserve the public peace, protect life and property and uphold Commonwealth of Virginia laws. Their duties include:

• criminal investigations
• campus-wide training
• motor vehicle accident response
• monthly public safety newsletter
• lost and found
• motorist assists
• escorts to vehicles and to classes
• child safety seat assessment/installation
• access control
• active shooter response
• crime prevention (e.g., identity theft, gang awareness, substance abuse)
• dealing with difficult people
• safety in the classroom; on the street
• crimes against women/sexual assault/self-defense information/bystander Intervention

You can contact NOVA Police 24/7/365 via Police Dispatch at 703-764-5000, or email us at NOVAPolice@nvcc.edu with questions, complaints, compliments or comments on police services.

NOVA Police Offices

• Alexandria (AA 240)
• Annandale (CA 203)
• Loudoun (LD Building)
• Manassas (MH 309)
• Medical Education Campus (Room 102)
• Woodbridge (WC 102)

Resources

NOVA Police Webpage
The user-friendly NOVA Police Webpage provides useful safety information to the NOVA community. http://www.nvcc.edu/police/

• NOVA Police Training that can be uploaded
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Active Shooter Response Training Video
• Clery “crime on campus” statistics
• NOVA Safety Video
• Link to free LiveSafe mobile safety app
  

NOVA Alert
NOVA Alert allows the College to contact subscribers during emergencies/school closings by sending text messages to your:

• Cell phone
• E-mail (school, personal, other)
• Sign Up for NOVA Alert at: http://alert.nvcc.edu

LiveSafe Mobile Safety App
NOVA’s LiveSafe mobile safety app provides critical information and capabilities that empower you to play a positive role in your own safety and to augment police efforts to maintain secure campuses. LiveSafe allows you to text NOVA Police to request police services and to receive a “virtual escort” when you are out and about.

For a full description of LiveSafe and to download the app go to http://www.livesafemobile.com/

Emergency Communications
Panic dialers, located in all classrooms, labs and offices, will connect you directly to Dispatch, who will send an officer immediately to your location.

Reprinted from NOVA College Police: Campus Resources for Staying Safe. Again, if you have any questions, contact NOVA Police Dispatch at 703-764-5000, or email: NOVAPolice@nvcc.edu