Authorities in northern Virginia are warning people to stay alert this Halloween weekend after reports of mall threat of violence in northern Virginia ahead of the election.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said on Friday that the police department received information about a threat, which was not specified, just days away from a major statewide election.
The Fairfax County Police Department, Arlington County Police Department, Prince William County Police Department, Alexandria Police Department, Metropolitan Police Department, and Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office have said they are increasing police presence around malls, shopping centers, and other areas where people congregate ahead of the holiday weekend.
“The Prince William County Police Department (PWCPD) is aware of information circulating regarding a potential threat of violence in the Northern Virginia area. While we have not received any credible information of a threat, we do ask our community to remain vigilant while we continue working with our law enforcement partners to ensure everyone remains safe,” a PWCPD statement reads.
In a press conference Friday, Fairfax County police chief Kevin Davis said the department has increased police presence throughout the county to include major thoroughfares, transit hubs, shopping plazas, and shopping malls.
The police said the department is taking the information it has on the threat very seriously. The department also insisted the increased police presence is not out of the ordinary, as the department beefs up security every holiday.
“We go into every holiday weekend, whether it’s Halloween or Thanksgiving or Christmas, with increased patrols,” Police Chief Kevin Davis said in a press conference. “So, our increased patrols are out there. We have an election coming up next Tuesday.
“We’ll have increased patrols throughout the next several days and an abundance of caution because that’s what we do as a public safety agency,” he added.
“It’s just our responsibility to have a greater presence, to be more aware, and to ask the community to have their eyes and ears peeled for suspicious activities,” Davis said.
Davis said the FCPD is always in constant communication with federal and regional partners and this weekend is no different. “We encourage the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to our non-emergency number or to call 911.”
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