Media Advisory #PGSO

Sheriff High Hosts 4th “Purple Light Nights®” Lighting Ceremony

(Domestic Violence Awareness Month Begins With Unity)

Upper Marlboro, MD…The Office of the Sheriff will host the Fourth Purple Light Nights Lighting Ceremony, an event the Sheriff’s Office launched in 2014 to begin Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

“Purple Light Nights®” is a community event bringing citizens together with professional service-provider partners who do the important work of serving victims and raising awareness about domestic violence. The campaign partners include county, municipal, law enforcement, private and civic organizations. Many will continue to bathe their headquarters in purple light every night in October, including the County Administration Building, County Police, Bowie Police, Riverdale Park Police, Prince George’s Hospital Center, Prince George’s Community College and the M-NCPPC Headquarters. The Prince George’s County Public Schools Board of Education Building will also be lit this year.

The County’s Department of Family Services – a Purple Light Nights® partner – continues the partnership with the Capital Wheel at National Harbor which will light the Capital Wheel purple on October 2nd, 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th.

Through the generosity of the Purple Light Nights® Presenting Sponsor Pepco, free purple light bulbs will be distributed to citizens. Of the awareness campaign, Sheriff High said, “We want county residents to know that there is an amazing range of services available in our county to help families affected by domestic violence. When citizens shine a light on their porch or in their window every night in October, they signal our county’s unity in the fight against domestic violence.”

WHAT: Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Intervention Division `“Purple Light Nights®” Lighting Ceremony

WHERE: ` 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (Pond Side)

WHEN: ` October 2, 2017 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

WHO: County Executive Rushern Baker/Sheriff Melvin C. High