Crime & Safety

LCSO Child Safety Day Saturday at Dulles Town Center

Law enforcement agencies, children's activities and child safety information for parents will be on hand during the event, which also highlights cold cases.

For a second year, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has planned a Child Safety Day to help parents learn the best ways protect their children from becoming the victim of a crime. 

The event is set to run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Dulles Town Center. The LCSO will set up in the exterior parking lot between Jared Jewelers and Macy’s.

Sheriff Mike Chapman called for the first Child Safety Day last year in remembrance of Erica Heather Smith, a 14-year-old girl who was found in a grave along Broad Run creek in Ashburn 11 days after she disappeared on July 29, 2002. Chapman said during last year’s event that investigators believe Erica likely knew her killer. Investigators continue to seek leads in that case and hope events like Child Safety Day continue to put a spotlight on some of the county’s cold cases.

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“We can never forget our victims, will continue our work on cold cases, and will constantly identify steps to better help parents ensure the safety of their children,” Chapman said in a press release about the event. “We are proud to champion child safety issues through our programs on Internet safety, safe driving through no texting, D.A.R.E in elementary and middle schools, and by enhancing school shooting preparedness by working with our law enforcement, emergency and [Loudoun County Public Schools] partners.”

There will be activities for children and the opportunity to explore LCSO vehicles, as well as information about DMV’s Ident-A-Kid program. Specialty units from the sheriff’s office will be on hand along with representatives from and information about Loudoun County Fire & Rescue, the FBI, INOVA Pediatrics, the Loudoun Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the Loudoun Crime Commission, the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter, Loudoun County Child Advocacy Center, Loudoun County Child Protective Services, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, WINC FM and many other agencies.

For more information, visit the LCSO website.


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