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Welcome to the Ashland Police Department
The Ashland Police Department is a full service law enforcement agency that provides 24-hour service to its citizens. The Ashland Police Department works in partnership with the Hanover County Sheriff's Office
to provide quality police services to its residents and businesses.
The Ashland Police Department is conducting a “Virginia DCJS certified” only selection process to develop a pool of qualified Police Officer candidates.
We are looking for motivated individuals who wish to work for the Ashland Police Department. The Ashland Police Department is an internationally accredited (CALEA) agency that adheres to the highest standards of professionalism. The Town of Ashland offers an award-winning benefits package and a competitive salary.
For more information or to apply, click here.
Move Over… It’s the Law
The Town of Ashland reminds motorists when you see red, blue, or amber flashing lights on a stationary vehicle, you must move over and change lanes or, if it is unsafe to change lanes, proceed with caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions.
As the number of distractions to driving grows every day, the job of law enforcement, emergency personnel, and highway workers has become even more dangerous.
Protect those who protect you… it's not only safe for everyone, it's the law.
APD Scam Alert
APD has been alerted to a phone scam in our area whereby an unidentified person calls a resident and falsely states that he’s kidnapped a family member and demands money in exchange for their safe return.
This scam is called “Virtual Kidnapping” and has been reported nationwide. The FBI states these scams involve the following:
- Callers going to great lengths to keep you on the phone, insisting you remain on the line.
- Calls do not come from the supposed victim’s phone.
- Callers trying to prevent you from contacting the “kidnapped” victim.
- Calls include demands for ransom money to be paid via wire transfer to Mexico; ransom amount demands may drop quickly.
If you receive a call like this, the FBI recommends the following:
- In most cases, the best course of action is to hang up the phone.
- If you do engage the caller, don’t call out your loved one’s name.
- Try to slow the situation down. Request to speak to your family member directly. Ask, “How do I know my loved one is okay?”
- Ask questions only the alleged kidnap victim would know, such as the name of a pet. Avoid sharing information about yourself or your family.
- Listen carefully to the voice of the alleged victim if they speak.
- Attempt to contact the alleged victim via phone, text, or social media, and request that they call back from their cell phone.
- To buy time, repeat the caller’s request and tell them you are writing down the demand, or tell the caller you need time to get things moving.
- Don’t agree to pay a ransom, by wire or in person. Delivering money in person can be dangerous.
If you suspect a real kidnapping is taking place or you believe a ransom demand is a scheme, contact local law enforcement immediately.
For more information from the FBI regarding this scam, click here.
APD Crosswalk Safety Initiative
The Ashland Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety of pedestrians. You will see officers focusing on crosswalk safety making sure the roads are safe for everyone.
10 Walking Safety Tips
1. Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
2. Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
3. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
4. Keep alert at all times; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.
5. Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
6. If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safety; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
7. Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach to make sure you are seen.
8. Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
9. Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots.
10. Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
9 Driving Safety Tips
1. Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times. Safety is a shared responsibility.
2. Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.
3. Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
4. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the cross-walk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.
5. Never Pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that you can’t see.
6. Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
7. Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street.
8. Follower slower speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present.
9. Be extra cautious when backing up—pedestrians can move into your path.
If you have any questions, please call the Ashland Police Department 804-412-0600.
Ashland PD Announces R.I.D.E. Traffic Safety Initiative
The Ashland Police Department announces the Roadway & Intersection Directed Enforcement (R.I.D.E.) traffic safety initiative.
Data collected in 2018 indicates an increase in motor vehicle crashes in Ashland, with a 32% increase in reportable crashes in the April to June period. Additionally, crashes involving injury increased 100% during that time.
In the past, the majority of crashes in Town occurred at three main intersections, however, crashes are now occurring more frequently at many of our less travelled intersections and on our residential roadways.
Beginning this month, Ashland police officers will be conducting increased, proactive traffic enforcement throughout Town, with a special emphasis on those violations most associated with vehicle crashes and injuries: driving under the influence of alcohol, and stop sign, traffic light, failure to yield and seat belt/child seat violations.
The Ashland Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety of residents and visitors alike and asks that you drive safely at all times. Residents with questions or traffic safety concerns may call 798-1227 or make a report on our website at www.ashlandpolice.us.
REMINDER: To help prevent vehicle break-ins and thefts remember: HIDE... LOCK... TAKE.
With warm weather in full effect, APD would like to remind everyone of these theft prevention tips...• Lock your vehicle. Yes, it takes seconds to break a window, but doing so makes noise – and criminals hate making noise. Also, criminals may still break the window of an unlocked car door (to prevent windows from being broken) anyway, expecting the vehicle to be locked.
• Hide valuables from sight, or, even better, take items with you. If a criminal doesn’t see anything, they’re less likely to break in, and will go to the next vehicle and window shop. Remember to hide valuables BEFORE you park in the place you’re leaving your vehicle. If a criminal sees you put a laptop or other item in the trunk, they may break into the trunk when you leave. Same advice for putting property under a seat. If a criminal sees you reaching under a seat, they’ll assume something is under there, and break in, looking for property.
• Park in areas that are not secluded. Well-lit parking lots, with good “sight lines”, make it more likely your vehicle is visible to the general public. Remember, criminals don’t like witnesses.
• Record serial numbers of property you may leave inside your vehicle. If stolen, it makes it more likely the suspect, if he tries to pawn it, will be identified. You can take a picture of the item and make, model and serial number information with your cell-phone and have it handy if needed.
• Criminals watch drivers and “case” parking lots looking for opportunities. If you see anyone loitering in public parking lots, walking from car to car, repeatedly pulling on car door handles or anything else suspicious call 911 immediately and report it to the police.
There is no 100% fool-proof way to prevent all crime. You can make yourself less likely to be a victim by following the above tips, and by using common sense. Simply locking your vehicle and removing property from inside is half the battle.
The 2017 Ashland PD Annual Report is now available.
Click here to learn more about APD and our activities and efforts in 2017.
Recovered Property
Ashland PD has numerous unclaimed lost bicycles in storage. To check to see if we have a bike you lost, click here.
Prescription Drug Disposal
Looking for a way to dispose of old and unneeded prescription medications safely between Drug Take-Back Events? Bremo Pharmacy in Richmond is an approved medication take-back site. For more information click here for Bremo's website or call (804) 288-8361.
APD Scam Alert
A resident reported a scammer calling identifying herself as an Ashland police officer “Smith”. They are telling residents that they need to pay an outstanding fine or they will be arrested.
This is NOT APD and we do not call anyone asking for payments or any other information like this.
APD reminds residents to be vigilant against these and other phone scams and not give out any personal information or make payment arrangements over the phone or internet unless you have verified the other party is legitimate.
Residents with questions or concerns about phone scams can contact the Ashland Police Department at 804-798-1227.
Improper Solicitor Activity in Ashland
In the past few weeks, Ashland residents have made us aware of several instances involving non-permitted solicitors and in one case officers were able to locate them and handle the matter appropriately.
In some instances, these individuals have displayed Solicitors’ Permits issued by Hanover County. These permits do not authorize them to work in Town.
Anyone encountering a solicitor in a residential area without an Ashland Solicitors’ Permit should call 911 and have an officer respond immediately to identify the individuals and address the situation.
Town of Ashland Announces Initiatives to Improve Safety at Rail Crossings
The past week has seen some extraordinary activity at grade crossings within the Town of Ashland. For more information about these incidents and the Town's initiative to improve safety at rail crossings, click here.
Rail safety is everyone’s concern and we offer the following safety tips courtesy of Operation Lifesaver (www.oli.org):
• Trains and cars don't mix. Never race a train to the crossing — even if you tie, you lose.
• The train you see is closer and faster-moving than you think. If you see a train approaching, wait for it to go by before you proceed across the tracks.
• Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly. Even if the locomotive engineer sees you, a freight train moving at 55 miles per hour can take a mile or more to stop once the emergency brakes are applied. That's 18 football fields!
• Never drive around lowered gates — it's illegal and deadly. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the emergency number posted on or near the crossing signal or your local law enforcement agency.
• Do not get trapped on the tracks; proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing only if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Remember, the train is three feet wider than the tracks on both sides.
• If your vehicle ever stalls on the tracks, get out and get away from the tracks, even if you do not see a train. Locate the Emergency Notification System sign and call the number provided, telling them about the stalled vehicle. If a train is approaching, run toward the train but away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle. If you run in the same direction a train is traveling, you could be injured by flying debris.
• At a multiple track crossing waiting for a train to pass, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching from either direction.
• When you need to cross train tracks, go to a designated crossing, look both ways, and cross the tracks quickly, without stopping. Remember it isn't safe to stop closer than 15 feet from a rail.
• ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Freight trains do not follow set schedules.
Ashland Lodging Ordinance Revision
Frequently Asked Questions
The much discussed changes to the Town's Lodging Ordinance go into effect on July 1, 2016. You can find the answers to these frequently asked questions about the Ordinance changes here.
Preventing Identity Theft
If your wallet, purse or personal identity information has been stolen or lost consider the following steps to protect yourself:
- Identify what was in your wallet. Consider all cards and information, not just credit cards and driver´s license. Was your Social Security card or number in your wallet?
- Place a fraud alert with each credit reporting agency if your social security number or credit/debit cards are involved:
- Monitor your credit report and review it for unauthorized account openings or any fraudulent address information. Contact any unrecognized creditors for any unauthorized accounts immediately.
- Contact all credit issuers to request replacement cards with new account numbers.
- Monitor bills for any fraudulent activity on any accounts.
- If you have lost a check cashing card, checkbook, savings account information or debit (ATM) cards, close the account and open a new account with a new number.
- Password protect all compromised accounts so that additional names and addresses cannot be added without authorization.
- Keep a log of all correspondence and conversations. Keep copies of correspondence.
- If your driver’s license was stolen, go to Virginia DMV for information on replacing it.
- If you think you have become a victim of identity theft go to the Virginia Attorney General's Website for resources from the Virginia Attorney General’s Office on how to prevent further damage.
- If you have lost a supermarket club card, cancel the card and request a new one.
- For all other lost/missing information, including library or video rental cards or any other cards with membership or insurance coverage information, contact the issuing company, notify them of the loss and request a new card.
JOIN US FOR "COFFEE WITH A COP"
Our "Coffee with a Cop" program provides an opportunity for the Ashland Police Department and community members to come together to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee. Coffee with a Cop provides a unique forum for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Ashland’s neighborhoods.
APD plans to host Coffee with a Cop meetings regularly to build partnerships in our community. For more information click here.
The Ashland Police Department wants to remind our community that disasters can strike at any time and anyplace. We want our community to prepare themselves and their family so that they will be ready should a disaster strike. Below are three steps that everyone should take to prepare for an emergency.
We want you to learn more about these steps so please take the time to visit www.ReadyVirginia.gov and www.Ready.gov to learn more about being prepared.