Find alternatives to calling the Prince William County Sheriff’s Department or local police.
Typically, people call the police because they are experiencing or perceive an emergency and need immediate assistance. In order to provide the most effective alternatives to calling the police or 911, unless otherwise indicated, the resources included here are limited to those that offer immediate assistance through emergency or crisis services.
These resources may be obligated to call police in the case of an immediate risk of harm to the caller or another, child abuse, or abuse of a vulnerable adult. Where we know or suspect that a resource may work in cooperation with law enforcement or involve them beyond what is required by law, we acknowledge that in the listing.
These resources are not intended to cover all situations, only to provide the services described. If you are in danger of immediate harm and feel safe doing so, call 911.
Housing
- Prince William Area Coordinated Entry System
- Connects people in need of food, housing, or financial assistance to available services, including two homeless shelters, a food pantry, and support with rent or bills.
- 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Mon. – Fri.
- (703) 792-3366
- Prince William County Shelter
- Overnight shelter for homeless adults. Breakfast served in the mornings Monday-Friday for residents and drop-ins. Walk-ins accepted for shelter. No children.
- 15941 Donald Curtis Dr., Woodbridge VA 22191
- (703) 792-8734 (24/7)
- VA Eviction Hotline
- Eviction defense hotline operated by Virginia Poverty Law Center.
- 1 (833) No-Evict
- https://vplc.org/advocacy/economic-justice/housing-law/
LGBTQ+
Coming soon.
Mental Health
- Children’s Regional Crisis Response (CR2)
- A 24-hour rapid response service for youth (17 and younger) experiencing a mental health crisis in Northern Virginia (PW, Loudon, and Fairfax Counties). Trained counselors of the nonprofit organization, National Counseling Group (NCG), provide phone screenings and face-to-face assessment, intervention, and support. Can offer immediate phone de-escalation and initial assessment. Expect two hours for mobilization of in-person assessment and intervention team. Police will be involved if imminent risk of harm or caller cannot maintain safety. After mobile intervention, can be admitted to stabilization program up to 45 days, then connected with long term service providers. Provides an alternative to hospitalization or incarceration.
- (571) 364-7390 (24/7)
- https://www.cr2crisis.com/
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
- ACTS Domestic Violence Hotline
- A helpline available in English and Spanish offering survivors of domestic violence counseling and safety planning, as well as emergency housing and other supports at a confidential shelter. Can provide ongoing case management and courtroom advocacy.
- (703) 221-4951 (24/7)
- https://www.actspwc.org/services/domestic-violence
- ACTS Sexual Assault Hotline
- A helpline available in English and Spanish offering survivors of sexual violence counseling as well as hospital and court accompaniment.
- (703) 368-4141 (24/7)
- https://www.actspwc.org/services/sexual-assault
Youth
Please note, people answering these calls may be mandatory reporters, and required to make a report to CPS or law enforcement in certain situations. Learn about local mandatory reporter laws here.
- Children’s Regional Crisis Response (CR2)
- A 24-hour rapid response service for youth (17 and younger) experiencing a mental health crisis in Northern Virginia (PW, Loudon, and Fairfax Counties). Trained counselors of the nonprofit organization, National Counseling Group (NCG), provide phone screenings and face-to-face assessment, intervention, and support. Can offer immediate phone de-escalation and initial assessment. Expect two hours for mobilization of in-person assessment and intervention team. Police will be involved if imminent risk of harm or caller cannot maintain safety. After mobile intervention, can be admitted to stabilization program up to 45 days, then connected with long term service providers. Provides an alternative to hospitalization or incarceration.
- (571) 364-7390 (24/7)
- https://www.cr2crisis.com/
- Second Story
- Provides referrals and an emergency safe haven for teens in crises such as homelessness, abuse, trafficking, or neglect. Crisis shelter for youth ages 13-17 – guardian permission required to stay more than 24 hours. Rapid re-housing and transitional living services available for homeless young people age 18-24. Assistance and services for young women (age 16-24) who are pregnant or have young children. 24-hour hotline for all youth who need assistance. Lines are staffed by mandatory reporters so they will call CPS if they suspect abuse and police if they suspect abuse occurring at that moment – they disclose this to callers and give the option of continuing.
- 1 (800) SAY-TEEN (729-8336) (24/7)
- Teens in crisis: (703) 356-6360
- Young mothers: (703) 280-2162
- Homeless youth: (703) 206-9890
- https://www.second-story.org/
Elders
Coming soon.
Crime
- Northern Virginia Mediation Services
- Dispute resolution. Facilitates people coming together to listen and be heard, to identify issues and work on them together, and to find common ground. Services are voluntary and available on a sliding scale. Both parties must be willing to engage.
- 9653 Fairfax Blvd., Suite 203 Fairfax, VA 22031
- (703) 865-7272
- https://nvms.us/
Substances
Coming soon.
Thanks to PWC Mutual Aid and SURJ NoVa for putting this list together
Please consider using these alternatives to calling the Prince William County Sheriff’s Department or 911 when faced with a situation that calls for de-escalation and/or intervention.
We have tried to indicate where police or law enforcement may work with the alternative resources listed; please let us know if you have any concerns about these resources.
Reimagine public safety. Don’t call the police.