N. Va. Office Market Feels Impact of Remote Work — “More than a quarter of all office space is empty in Crystal City and in the nearby Ballston neighborhood — as is the case in smaller, more outlying office markets such as Oakton in Fairfax County. More crucial, Loh said, is the value of the space sitting vacant in some of those areas: nearly $8 million in Tysons and $2.78 million in Rosslyn” [Washington Post]
Police Civilian Review Panel Seeks More Authority — “Fairfax County supervisors on Aug. 1 lauded efforts by the Police Civilian Review Panel to investigate some complaints filed against county police, but were not eager just yet to expand the volunteer group’s powers.” The panel is seeking “the ability to monitor police cases falling under its purview.” [Gazette Leader]
Tysons Tech Startup Lays Off Workers — “Analytics and cybersecurity firm Qomplx Inc. has laid off dozens of employees, according to a Work Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with the Virginia Employment Commission, and its state of operations remains unclear…The layoffs took effect Aug. 1, according to the WARN notification. Qomplx reported having roughly 100 employees in 2019.” [Washington Business Journal]
New Health Clinic to Open in Annandale — “Patient First, the future primary and acute care health clinic on the corner of John Marr Drive and Little River Turnpike in Annandale, is nearing completion. The clinic will tentatively open to the public on Oct. 12, says Director of Medical Support Ileene Sanchez.” [Annandale Today]
FCPD Offers Free Home Security Checks — “The Fairfax County Police Department is offering free home security assessments, performed by certified crime prevention officers, to help residents protect their homes against crime…There were 680 reported incidents of burglary or breaking and entering in 2022, up from 559 in 2021.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Local Teacher Sees Winnings From World Cup Bet Canceled — Fairfax County teacher Kris Benton “placed bets for a total wager of more than $3,000 on the Netherlands vs. Vietnam match in the Women’s World Cup through the BetMGM app” last week. But he couldn’t pocket the $214,500 that the app said he won “after BetMGM began to cancel the winnings due to an ‘obvious error with odds.'” [WUSA9]
GMU Prepares “Body Farm” in Prince William — “George Mason University is gearing up to receive its first donated body to its Forensic Science Research and Training Laboratory, better known as ‘the body farm’…Researchers at the farm study how donated bodies decompose over time, hoping that their findings can be used to help law enforcement solve homicides and cold cases.” [Washington Post]
It’s Tuesday — The forecast for Tuesday is mostly sunny with pleasant temperatures reaching around 83°F. Tuesday night will remain mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 66°F. The west wind will slow, yet gusts may still reach up to 20 mph. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 8:05 p.m.) Thousands of people in Fairfax County have been hit by power outages in the wake of a thunderstorm that’s continuing to march eastward toward D.C.
As of 7:15 p.m., there were 16,029 customers in Fairfax County and another 1,770 customers in Fairfax City without power, according to Dominion Energy’s outage map, which shows 90 separate outages.
The most sizable outages appear to be focused south of I-66, with thousands affected around Fairfax City, including around George Mason University’s campus, and Fairfax Station. Major outages also appear in Great Falls, Annandale and Lincolnia.
The outages may have affected the Burke Centre Library and the John Marshall Library in Rose Hill. Fairfax County Public Library says both branches were closed at 6:45 p.m. “due to facilities issues.”
While there have been no reports of hail or tornadoes yet, the storm has kept the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department busy with calls for downed wires and trees.
The department reported at 5:54 p.m. that it had units working 12 different calls for outside fires.
Road closures have also cropped up, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. A spokesperson says no major roads have been shut down, but “there are several secondary roads that may have debris or downed wires.”
“Due to inclement weather, multiple roads in Fairfax County are closed or blocked. #FCPD will respond and provide updates as soon as possible,” the department said on Twitter.
Metro, which has activated its Emergency Operations Center, is delaying trains and buses in some areas due to the weather.
Outage Update:
Northern Virginia: 47,481Loudoun: 22,812
Fairfax Co: 12,493
Fairfax City: 1,770
Fauquier: 6,208
Prince William Co: 2,154
Fairfax City: 1,770STAY AWAY FROM DOWNED LINES!
Report your outage on @DominionEnergy app or online to get into system quickly! https://t.co/5H6s0uLUiz— Peggy Fox (@PeggyDomEnergy) August 7, 2023
#FCFRD is currently working 12 outside fire calls, most involving downed trees and wires due to the storms moving through the area. Know who to call if you see downed trees or wires. pic.twitter.com/WVTatrT8eS
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) August 7, 2023
Road Closures: Due to inclement weather, multiple roads in Fairfax County are closed or blocked. #FCPD will respond and provide updates as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/ErONrYaNNw
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) August 7, 2023
A storm bringing intense winds and potentially even hail or a tornado is bearing down on the D.C. area.
In anticipation of the weather, the Fairfax County Park Authority closed several outdoor facilities at 4 p.m., including the Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, the Martin Luther King Jr. Pool in Gum Springs and Our Special Harbor Spray Park in Groveton.
All golf courses and driving ranges, marinas and park amusements, like carousels, have also been shut down. Outdoor classes and activities have either been canceled or moved indoors.
With the line of storms moving eastward, the northwestern part of the county is expected to get hit first. The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 5:15 p.m. for that area, including Reston, Herndon and possibly Tysons.
The alert warns of 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail.
“Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall,” the NWS said. “This could injure those outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles. Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible. Unsecured light objects may become projectiles.”
The storm is expected to arrive during the afternoon rush-hour around 5-7 p.m., prompting many workplaces to send employees home early.
Metro is “deploying additional resources to respond to weather-related issues” that may affect its service, activating its Emergency Operations Center.
“Severe delays, disruptions, and detours in Metro bus, rail, and paratransit service are possible due to extremely high winds, road conditions and other hazards,” Metro said in a news release.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Centreville VA, Reston VA and Linton Hall VA until 5:15 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/Ai5Wnyfgbu
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 7, 2023
Residents will have the chance to view an annual meteor shower next week in Great Falls.
Fairfax County’s Observatory Park at Turner Farm will be the site of the sighting event on Saturday, Aug. 12 from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
“The Perseid showers are among the most plentiful showers with upward of 100 meteors per hour,” the Fairfax County Park Authority said.
The meteor shower is active every year from mid-July to late August. It’s caused by the Earth passing through debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, which passed closest to Earth in 1992.
Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to watch the showers under the night sky. Warm dressing is encouraged for the night temperatures.
The event will be canceled in the event of rain. Although registration is not necessary, large groups should contact the Analemma Society to coordinate attendance.
The observatory is located at 925 Springvale Road.
Some more stormy weather could wash over the D.C. area later today.
A Tornado Watch has been issued for the region, including Fairfax County, by the National Weather Service, which has also designated most of the area as at “Moderate Risk” of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.
This is the first time in a decade that the agency has placed the D.C. area under that level of risk for hazardous weather, according to the Capital Weather Gang.
“Widespread damaging wind gusts are likely, with potential for locally destructive winds,” the NWS said. “Tornadoes and large hail are also possible. Have a way to receive warnings!”
The Tornado Watch will be in effect until 9 p.m.
Much of the area is now under a Moderate (Level 4 of 5) Risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Widespread damaging wind gusts are likely, with potential for locally destructive winds. Tornadoes and large hail are also possible. Have a way to receive warnings! pic.twitter.com/6gINUGKGi7
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 7, 2023
The storms are expected to move eastward, reaching Fairfax County during the afternoon rush-hour, according to the county’s emergency information blog.
Wind gusts of up to 80 mph are possible in central and western Virginia, with most eastern areas facing possible gusts closer to 60-70 mph, the Virginia Department of Transportation said in a news release. The department also warned of localized flooding, large hail and “brief spin-up tornadoes.”
“The safety of the traveling public and our crews is VDOT’s top priority,” VDOT said. “As forecasts and conditions could change, travelers should pay close attention to local weather reports and announcements from officials and limit their travels based on conditions.”
@NWS_BaltWash has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for today, Monday, Aug. 7.
Numerous severe thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and evening. The storms are expected to reach our county during the rush hour window.
Details: https://t.co/r7UEtrLvsD pic.twitter.com/Zc7jo7XO0v
— Fairfax County Government
(@fairfaxcounty) August 7, 2023
A 12-dock Capital Bikeshare station will be installed tomorrow at Reston Town Square Park (courtesy FCDOT)
More Capital Bikeshare options are coming soon to Reston Town Center.
A 12-dock station will be installed at Reston Town Square Park tomorrow (Aug. 8), marking the ninth Capital Bikeshare station around Reston Town Center.
Reston Town Center Association Executive Director Robert Goudie said the installation of the stations fulfills the policy objective of minimizing vehicular traffic.
“Increasing Bikeshare availability complements our longstanding commitment to supporting a strong pedestrian environment, the recent addition of private and secure bike-parking facilities, and the launch of our linkRTC shuttle service, recently recognized by the Washington Area Council of Governments as a region-leading best practice on how to integrate Metro into a vibrant transit station area like RTC,” Goudie said.
The location was on Capital Bikeshare’s list as a potential location for some time, according to Zach DesJardins, Capital Bikeshare program manager for the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT).
“Town Square Park is the heart of the densest area in Reston and our data shows that Bikeshare use is highest in those types of mixed-use neighborhoods,” DesJardins said. “Finding a way to make a Bikeshare station work at that location, especially with the arrival of Metro, has been a priority, and we greatly appreciate RTCA’s assistance and cooperation in this effort.”
In a statement, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn described the location as “terrific.”
Enhancing multi-modal transportation opportunities is a significant focus of the work we have been doing on the new comprehensive plan for Reston, especially in our transit station areas. Locating this station in the heart of a dense, mixed-use (residential-office-retail) environment, and with easy access to rail, where there is also another Bikeshare station, is a terrific addition, and I’m grateful to the Reston Town Center Association for helping to make this happen.
Capital Bikeshare has more than 50 locations in Merrifield, Reston and Tysons. Dozens of additional stations are planned in the area. Across the D.C. area, the service has more than 700 stations across seven jurisdictions.
A single trip is five cents for a classic bicycle ride and 15 cents for an e-bike. A 24-hour pass is $8 a day. Annual memberships cost around $8 per month for unlimited 45-minute rides on a classic bike.
National and Dulles Airport Noise Complaints on the Rise — “Airplane noise complaints have rebounded at Reagan National and Dulles International airports after a pandemic-era lull, a rise that mirrors a resurgence in air travel. Residents in the Washington region filed more than 205,000 complaints…in 2022, according to an annual aircraft noise report this summer from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.” [Washington Post]
Vienna Little League Team Finishes Tournament Run — “Game over, and VA’s Big Red Machine (Vienna American) is headed home. The team fought a tough battle against TN in extreme GA heat today falling short of reaching the semifinals, 7-2, in the Southeastern Region Little League Tournament. Congrats BRM, on a thrilling season!” [Town of Vienna/Twitter]
Carjacking Reported at Merrifield Dealership — “Police are still on the lookout for a suspect after a carjacking at a BMW dealership in Fairfax County on Saturday. Around 6:00 p.m., officers with the Fairfax County Police Department found the stolen car unoccupied after it was taken from a dealership located in the 8400 block of Lee Highway” [WUSA9]
FCPD Implements Policy on Foot Pursuits — A foot pursuit policy introduced after the fatal shooting of Timothy Johnson on Feb. 22 has been criticized as inadequate by Johnson’s mother and activists for focusing on “documentation of chases, rather than offering specific guidance about when and how they’re conducted.” An expansion based on an ongoing independent review could be announced in October. [Washington Post]
Tysons Office Building Could Be Redeveloped — “The low-rise, 1970s-era office at 7980 Quantum Drive…is up for sale, marketed as an opportunity for a buyer to rezone and redevelop it with new 237-unit multifamily building. The existing light industrial zoning would also allow for a variety of nonresidential uses, such as a catering or self-storage facility by-right” [Washington Business Journal]
Naval Warship Named After Reston Resident — “Marine 1st Lt. Harvey ‘Barney’ Barnum jumped to the ground when he came under fire during an ambush in Vietnam that killed his radio operator and commander…The Medal of Honor recipient, now 83, watched [July 29] as his wife smashed a bottle of sparkling wine against the bow to christen the future U.S. Navy destroyer that’ll bear the name Harvey C. Barnum Jr.” [WTNH]
McLean Restaurant Owner Warns of Scam — “The owner of popular fast-food chain Z-Burger says his company is out hundreds of dollars after falling prey to a scammer claiming to work for DoorDash. Z-Burger founder Peter Tabibian…said the McLean, Virginia, restaurant was bilked Wednesday evening.” [WTOP]
Fire Set on Vienna Basketball Courts — Vienna police are investigating a destruction of property incident that occurred at Glyndon Park (300 Glyndon Street NE) around 10 p.m. on July 28. “Officers and firefighters responded to Glyndon Park for a fire that was set on the basketball courts.” [Vienna Police]
It’s Monday — There is an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms today, with possible rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch. Highs will be near 89°F. Tonight, expect showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, and a continued chance of precipitation between 8pm and 2am, with lows around 72°F. [Weather.gov]
Snakeden Branch at Lake Audubon in Reston (photo by Ray Copson)
Updated at 5:45 p.m. — The fish deaths reported at Snakeden Branch stream this morning have been traced to a water main break behind Hunters Woods Plaza, Reston Association says.
“Potable water was discharged and included chlorine, causing the fish kill,” RA Chief Operating Officer Peter Lusk said. “The water main break has been repaired, and the stream is considered safe, and not harmful to humans or animals.”
Earlier: Dead fish were found earlier this morning (Friday) at Snakeden Branch stream, according to a report confirmed by Reston Association.
A foul smell also protruded from the stream.
RA staff are working with the Virginia Department of Environment Quality (DEQ) and the Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Division to confirm the cause of the incident.
Residents are encouraged to avoid using the stream. Signage has been posted at the stream, which flows from Hunters Woods Village Center to Lake Audubon.
RA is also urging residents to be cautious when using Lake Audubon until the source of the issue is confirmed.
Preliminarily, there is no evidence that the issue was caused by sewage, according to RA COO Peter Lusk.
“These events typically occur when there are malfunctions within wastewater systems, water mains, or occasionally illicit dumping. RA staff will confirm the source of the issue, once identified,” RA said.
More than two dozen local businesses were honored last month for their commitment to “green commuting.”
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn honored the 29 businesses for taking part in this year’s Bike to Work Day employer challenge, which rewarded companies that encouraged their employees to commute via bicycle.
Alcorn said the new Silver Line stations from Reston to Ashburn mean more employees than ever have the option for cycling to and from a bus or train stop.
“Employers who encourage a healthy and green commute, and employees who enjoy our scenic trails on the way to work all contribute to Fairfax County’s sustainability efforts and quality of life,” Alcorn said.
The challenge by the Dulles Area Transport Association (DATA) recognizes local medium and large companies with five or more employees for participating in Bike to Work Day. DATA is a nonprofit public-private partnership between businesses, government, and the community in the greater Dulles area.
The July 28 ceremony also recognized participating small businesses with two or more employees.
A list of this year’s participants is below.
Amazon/Amazon Web Services
Advanced Simulation Technology Inc
ATA Engineering
Booz Allen Hamilton
CACI
Elden Street Tea Shop
Fairfax County Public Schools
Fannie Mae
Fibertek
General Dynamics
Google
Herndon Animal Medical Center
Homegrown power Yoga
ICF
Kimley – Horn
Leidos
Mantech
Meta
Microsoft
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
Noblis
Northop Grumman
Peraton
SAIC (formerly Engility)
TMobile Corporate
Town of Herndon
U. S. Geological Survey
Verisign
No Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday After ‘Oversight’ — “In Virginia, every year since 2015, the General Assembly has given folks a break on sales tax for back-to-school supplies and clothing for three days beginning on the first Friday in August.” However, this year, lawmakers neglected to include the break in the state budget, which is still the subject of negotiations. [Washington Post]
Fentanyl Found in Recent Herndon Drug Arrests — “Four suspects arrested in two separate incidents are facing multiple drug charges, according to Town of Herndon Police. In one incident, the arrest followed a traffic stop and the other concerned two people seen sleeping on a picnic table.” [Patch]
New Huntington Metro Apartments Near Finish — “Aventon Huntington Station, a 366-unit apartment community under construction next to Huntington Metro station, is expected to open by year’s end, according to an official from the Aventon Companies.” Pre-leasing could begin in October with tenants starting to move in this December. [On the MoVe]
Fire Department Training Partly Closes McLean Park Parking Lot — “Due to a Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department training exercise, a portion of the parking lot at Scott’s Run Nature Preserve will be closed to the public from Friday, Aug. 4, through Sunday, Aug. 6.” [Fairfax County Park Authority/Twitter]
Annandale Water Main Replacement Planned — “Fairfax Water plans to replace the water main under Ravensworth Road in Annandale, beginning in mid-August. The project will roughly extend from St. Michael’s Lane to Brook Hills Drive. During construction, Fairfax Water will maintain traffic flow and ensure affected residents have access to their driveways.” [Annandale Today]
Security Company Extends Stay at Seven Corners Office — Kastle Systems will move into 62,000 square feet of space at 6400 and 6402 Arlington Blvd later this summer after recently renewing its lease. BoundTrain Real Estate, the Reston-based property owner, said “there have been a host of recent leasing deals there after a $12 million renovation was completed.” [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]
Federal Workforce Shrinking in D.C. Region — Bureau of Labor Statistics data “shows federal employment in the region has sunk from about 380,000 jobs in 2021 to just under 370,000 jobs in March,” according to George Mason University’s Stephen S. Fuller Institute. The region may “shed another 8,000 federal jobs” as more employees work remotely or retire. [Washington Business Journal]
Oakton Celebration Coming This Month — “The Greater Oakton Community Association invites local residents to attend the third annual Oakton Day in the Park on Sunday, Aug. 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Oakton Community Park, 2841 Hunter Mill Road. The event will feature hometown fun for all ages, organizers say.” [Gazette Leader]
It’s Friday — There is a 30% chance of showers and potential thunderstorms after 5pm today, with mostly cloudy skies and a high temperature of around 79°F. Tonight, a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms lingers before 11pm, with mostly cloudy conditions and a low temperature near 68°F. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 4:35 p.m.) Reston Association is monitoring the presence of potentially harmful algae at Lake Anne.
According to a statement released yesterday (Wednesday), the blue-green algae was spotted in some parts of the lake.
There are currently no restrictions on boating and fishing, but it’s best to avoid contact with the lake water, RA wrote in a statement.
RA Chief Operating Officer Peter Lusk told FFXnow that the bloom is limited to the east end of the lake next to Wiehle Avenue.
“With cooler weather predicted the forecast, we are hoping to see this small growth resolve itself soon. Should the extent of the bloom change, or if the bloom last longer than one week, testing will be performed to ensure the lake is safe for all users,” Lusk wrote in a statement.
Blue-green algae has been observed at Lake Anne. This potentially harmful algae is being monitored by RA staff. Swimming is not permitted in the lake, and it is recommended to keep dogs from the lake water at this time. pic.twitter.com/3n2LXEmRUX
— Reston Association (@RestonOnline) August 2, 2023
In the future, Fairfax County property owners planning to redevelop rental properties may be able to replace affordable housing units on-site with units in nearby locations.
Under drafted administrative guidelines, the county would only provide the option if it’s not “financially feasible” for the property owner to maintain the affordable units on the existing site.
The off-site housing “must be within a one-mile radius of the original property location to the extent practicable,” according to the draft guidelines.
County staff would also evaluate whether the new units are in a comparable location, including whether tenants would have similar access to major roads and transit, county facilities such as schools, and commercial areas.
The county is now aiming for one-for-one replacement of affordable housing units when there is redevelopment, per a March amendment to the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan.
Specifically, the policy intends to preserve rental multifamily housing units that are either committed affordable — meaning rents are restricted to certain income levels — or market affordable — meaning they’re accessible for households that earn up to 60% of the area median income, even without rent or income restrictions.
The county’s Department of Housing and Community Development is developing draft administrative guidelines for the policy. The ability to move preserved affordable units off-site is outlined in the latest draft, presented to the Board of Supervisors housing committee Tuesday (Aug. 1).
Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw expressed reservations about the feasibility of the 1-mile radius.
“I find it hard to believe that there would be many property owners that would be able to make that work,” he said.
Meghan Van Dam, director of the HCD’s affordable housing development division, acknowledged that in certain circumstances, the 1-mile radius could be a challenge.
“In general, we looked at the 1-mile radius thinking about what might be walkable, what might be reasonable in terms of if you do have support networks in place in your community, how could you access those, where would they be located,” Van Dam said.
Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, who cast the only vote against the comprehensive plan amendment in March, remained skeptical of the policy.
“It increases housing costs, period,” he said.
A final version of the guidelines could be adopted as soon as September. The guidelines will be discussed for a potential vote at a board public hearing on Sept. 26.
County staff also plan to update the county’s Relocation Guidelines, which provide information about how developers of rental and mobile home properties can assist tenants displaced by development. Those guidelines were last updated in 2012.
Fairfax County will bolster its capabilities to respond to and resolve emergency calls related to mental health this fall.
The Fairfax County Police Department and the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board presented plans to roll out a fourth co-responder team and a telehealth pilot program at a Board of Supervisors safety and security committee meeting on Tuesday (Aug. 1).
Active since its pilot in March 2021 and made permanent in 2022, the co-responder program pairs a Crisis Intervention Team-trained law enforcement officer with a CSB crisis intervention specialist to respond to behavioral health calls. The duo rides together in the same patrol cruiser and either self-dispatch proactively to behavioral health calls or are dispatched by emergency services, FCPD Lieutenant Joanna Culkin explained during the meeting.
Co-responder teams aim to de-escalate situations involving an individual with a mental health crisis without use of force, incarceration or hospitalization to decrease instances of individuals being harmed by law enforcement.
Currently, three co-responder teams operate in the county, according to CSB Division Director of Emergency and Crisis Care Services Laura Maddock.
Two of the teams are active from noon to midnight seven days a week. The third team currently works from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. three days a week but will expand its coverage to match the other two teams on Aug. 15.
The fourth co-responder team that Maddock expects to join in late September or early October will follow a similar trajectory, starting with three-day coverage before transitioning to operating for a full week.
The continuing expansion of these mental health crisis services comes after the program showed measurable success in a June 30 data pull, Culkin says. She noted that the co-responder program has successfully increased timely on-scene assessment, with the presence of a clinician often de-escalating situations.
“Sometimes just having the clinician show up paired with our law enforcement counterpart puts people at ease and lets them know that, really, behavioral health is the main focus of our response,” Culkin said.
Culkin cited increased linkages to behavioral health services and higher levels of care, decreased rates of incarceration and arrest, and decreased visits to emergency services as benefits of the program. She said the program helps address “the [psychiatric] bed capacity issue across the state of Virginia” by resolving many cases in the field so fewer individuals need further care.
Of the 1,300 calls that got a co-responder response since the program began, 50% were resolved in the field, 30% were diverted from arrest or hospitalization, 26% resulted in higher level of care and 17% resulted in an Emergency Custody Order and/or Temporary Detention Order, Culkin said.
“That 17% is a really good number for us,” Culkin said. “When we’re looking at if a regular patrol officer had responded…without the ability to do those timely on scene assessments or come up with a safety or care plan, we’re looking at a significantly higher number of ECOs and TDOS.”
To further illustrate the co-responder program’s impact, Culkin recounted an instance where a clinician successfully worked with officers to “talk down” a “distraught subject” who was standing atop a ledge on a parking garage in Dunn Loring and “get him the help he needed.”
On another occasion, a co-responder team responded to a behavioral health call from a man “in emotional distress who indicated that nobody had ever celebrated his birthday.” After helping the man, the pair came back the next day with a birthday cake and enjoyed a belated celebration with him.
“These are good examples of both of the ways the co-responder program has had a positive impact with our community,” Culkin said.
The FCPD and CSB will additionally pilot a new telehealth program following the same fall timeline as the fourth co-responder team. Two police stations in Reston and McLean will receive iPads that officers can use to remotely contact a trained clinician at the Merrifield Crisis Response Center around the clock to fill gaps in coverage, since the co-responder teams don’t operate 24/7.
Maddock hinted that the county is working on implementing a follow-up team, which would consist of a peer and clinician going out to subjects of co-responder cases for check ins and referrals.
FCPD is also striving to increase the number of police officers who have undergone CIT training from 40% to 42% by the end of the year, Culkin said. The number has been slowly increasing over the last couple of years after less than a third of officers had received CIT training in 2021.
A consultant is beginning a three-month-long process to determine the feasibility and buy-in required to implement a comprehensive revitalization of the Lake Anne area of Reston.
Consultant Street Sense has begun phase two of its economic visioning study of the Lake Anne Commercial Revitalization Area, which kicked off last year. The consultant will conduct a series of one-on-one meetings with individual property owners soon, according to Fairfax County.
“The findings of Phase Two will shape the scope of work for a potential third phase of the Economic Visioning Study, which would investigate the feasibility of implementing the various components contained in the vision plan,” Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said in his weekly newsletter yesterday (Wednesday).
The first phase of the study concluded this summer after a series of public engagement efforts with the community.
So far, the vision suggests a concentration of new apartment units on the Crescent property at 1527 Cameron Crescent Drive, added cultural attractions, a parking structure, a centralized green space, connections from the Crescent site to Lake Anne Plaza via a new park, and the restoration of a tunnel to the east side of the area.
The third phase of the study is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year. It could be funded via a carryover adjustment from the fiscal year 2023 budget. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will vote on that carryover package on Sept. 26.
The work comes as the county begins working with stakeholders over the next year to redevelop the Crescent Apartments property at the plaza.
Another person in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center has died.
Latasha Dove, a 53-year-old woman, was found unresponsive in her cell at the jail on Tuesday (Aug. 1) afternoon, the Fairfax County Police Department reported yesterday (Wednesday).
According to the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, the post deputy called in a medical emergency at 2:27 p.m. Scanner traffic on Open MHz indicates that an Emergency Medical Services team from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department was dispatched for a cardiac arrest around 2:31 p.m.
“The deputy immediately rendered aid until relieved by ADC medical personnel. Rescue arrived and transported the inmate to the hospital,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Dove was declared dead at the hospital at 3:13 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office.
Dove’s death is now being investigated by the FCPD, as required by county policy.
According to the police and court records, Dove was arrested on July 26 and faced charges of simple assault and property destruction. The assault charge was a misdemeanor, while the destruction of property charge was a class 6 felony, meaning the value of the destroyed property was over $1,000.
Dove remained in custody at the jail after Fairfax County General District Court Judge Mark Simmons set a cash bond for her at a bond hearing on Monday (July 31).
“The judge decided that she was an appropriate candidate for bail yet set a cash bond knowing that she was indigent,” said Fairfax County Public Defender Dawn Butorac, whose office represented Dove. “That means that Judge Simmons found that she was neither a danger to the community nor a risk of flight. It was simply Ms. Dove’s poverty that kept her in jail instead of being in the community. This is a clear demonstration of the perversity of a cash bail system.”
Though Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano has had a policy against seeking cash bail since March 2020, prosecutors objected to the possibility that Dove could be released at the bond hearing, Butorac told FFXnow.
The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney didn’t immediately return a request for comment. The office recommends defendants be released in 59% of non-violent felony cases, as of March, according to a bond data dashboard launched last fall.
According to the FCPD, foul play isn’t suspected in Dove’s death, but the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine an official cause.
Listed in court records as a Los Angeles, California, resident, Dove is the second person to die while in custody at the Adult Detention Center this summer, following 51-year-old Todd Matthew Gleason’s death on July 4. The jail had three in-custody deaths in 2022.
Before the police department announced its investigation, the sheriff’s office published a news release yesterday about a deputy and nurse’s successful efforts to save an inmate who had overdosed on opioids on July 29.
