Wintergreen Police Department


Overview

The Wintergreen Police Department is comprised of 17 full-time employees which includes twelve sworn officers, four communications officers and one administrative assistant. The Department is dedicated to the goal of excellence in service to the Wintergreen community. We provide twenty-four hour patrol of all Wintergreen properties, dispatching for police, fire and rescue services, gate access control, security check programs, property ID programs for skis, snowboards and homes, and issuance of property owner vehicle decals.

cruiser
cruiser cruiser

On February 21, 2008 the Wintergreen Police Department became the first private law enforcement agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia to obtain accredited status through the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission.

Patrol officers are vested with full law enforcement powers and responsibilities, identical to the local police agencies in your home communities. All officers receive basic law enforcement training at the Central Virginia Criminal Justice Academy in Lynchburg,Virginia. Officers are sent to specialized in-service training schools when deemed appropriate. Our department shares information on arrests and serious crimes with surrounding jurisdictions and has access to the Virginia Criminal Information Network. Our department operates its own communications center for dispatching all calls for the emergency services departments which include police, fire and rescue. Our communications center is designated as a backup center for Nelson County E-911 services. Communications personnel maintain and answer six phone lines (4 lines are E-911), seven radio frequencies and monitor all Nelson County fire, recsue and sheriff office frequencies on a daily basis. While at Wintergreen, you may reach our communications center for emergencies by dialing 911 from any in-house or residential phone.

We are proud to be an integral part of the Wintergreen Emergency Services and the Community. We are also proud of our accomplishments. As always, we welcome any comments you may have regarding our department.



Activity Data

Considering the thousands of persons who visit Wintergreen each year, the community remains a safe place to live and visit. Over 450,000 vehicles annually pass through the entrance gate. The number of crimes reported each year remain relatively low with only 90 reported during the most recent 12 month reporting period ending September 30, 2010.

During the last twelve months our department has responded to 258 various alarms, assisted in and investigated 18 motor vehicle accidents, checked community facilities and residences over 45,000 times. Officers recovered 68 pieces of lost personal property. Over 120,000 miles were driven by officers patrolling the approximately 53 miles of roads within the community. During the same reporting period officers responded to 1,413 requests for service.

Participation in the house check program now exceeds 350 owners who request their residences to be checked while they are not at Wintergreen. We encourage you to participate in all of our crime prevention programs which are all offered at no additional cost. The more participation we receive the more effective these services will be.



Police Programs at a Glance

House Check - A program whereby patrol officers check your home while you are not at Wintergreen for an extended period. Owners receive code numbers which are given to the gate officer to let the department know you are leaving for, or returning from, an extended stay.

Ski Equipment - A program designed to register all your ski equipment (serial numbers, make, model, etc.) with the police department. Should your equipment become lost or stolen, information to aid in the recovery and for input into the national crime files would be available. In approximately 95 percent of the cases, persons are unable to furnish this information more positive identification or reporting purposes.

Operation ID - A program designed to record and mark any valuables you may have at your Wintergreen home. Pictures are also taken for your records should your home be destroyed by fire.

Ride-A-Long - A program which allows property owners, over the age of 18, the opportunity to ride-a-long with patrol officers or observe the gate and communications operations during a normal tour of duty. A chance to observe your department first-hand.

All of the above programs are offered as a service to you at no cost. Any necessary forms or applications may be obtained by calling or stopping by the Police Department located in the Community Office Building. Phone 434-325-8526.

The police department patrols the Wintergreen community twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, ready to serve you.