Fairfax County’s public safety agencies will begin using drones — technically called Unmanned Aircraft Systems — by early September.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday (May 21) to approve the program, which the county says will “provide an enhanced level of operational capability, safety and situational awareness.”
The county plans to purchase between six to eight devices, which cost $3,500 each. Costs are expected to be absorbed in the county’s existing budget.
The equipment will be used by the Office of Emergency Management, Fire and Rescue, Police and Sheriff in order to deliver “high-quality imagery, data and customized geospatial solutions,” according to the county.
The program will also be used to complete search and rescue, pre- and post-disaster damage assessment, crash reconstruction, and fire management.
County officials say the program will not be used to conduct random surveillance, target individuals solely based on individual characteristics or for personal business and other unauthorized uses.
The next three months will be spent setting up the program, certifying pilots and completing training. Drones will begin flying between late August and early September.
All pilots in the program must obtain a remote pilot certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Commission. A steering committee will be set up to oversee the program.
The county will also notify the public through Fairfax Alerts about missions and training flights.
The program was approved following the creation of a working group in May 2017 and a task force last year.
More information about the program is available online.
Photo by Jared Brashier
Car Stolen from Garage in Home — Someone entered a garage on the 2700 block of Mansway Drive yesterday (May 21), took car keys and stole a 2017 Nissan Murano. The incident happened at around 7:15 a.m. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Reston-based Parabon Tracks Germantown Man Accused of Raping Elderly Women — DNA evidence submitted to the lab helped police track Marlon Alexander, who was sentenced to life in prison, on Tuesday. Alexander was linked to a series of unsolved rapes dating back over 10 years. [Fox 5]
A Recap of the 28th Annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival — Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) held its acclaimed free-to-the-public, 28th annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival last weekend. The event featured more than 200 juried artists and offered “high-quality hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind artwork in the dynamic outdoor setting” at Reston Town Center according to GRACE. The Festival once again attracted an estimated crowd of 30,000. [The Connection]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
A 17-year-old from Maryland was arrested in connection with a carjacking on Sunrise Valley Drive last week.
On Monday, May 13, police say that a masked suspect pointed a shotgun at a man who was putting air into his car’s tires and demanded the keys.
The suspect drove away in the stolen car, but police caught up with him a short while later.
The teen was caught with the help of the police’s K9 team, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. He was charged with carjacking and the use of a firearm in commission of a felony.
In a separate incident, a man entered a home on the 2600 block of New Concorde Court on Wednesday, May 15 at around 3:50 a.m.
Residents discovered the man in their garage after they heard the garage door open. The man ran away when one resident confronted him.
Nothing was reported missing, police said.
FCPD also reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
11300 block of Chestnut Grove Square, documents from vehicle
2200 block of Quartermaster Lane, bicycle from residence
2600 block of William Short Circle, bicycle from residence
11600 block of Windbluff Court, license plates from vehicle
STOLEN VEHICLES:
2500 block of Brenton Point Drive, 2015 Vespa motorcycle
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Missing Reston Man Found — Steven Stoller, 59, went missing on Monday when he left Bethesda, Maryland. He was located safe and unharmed on Tuesday, according to police. [Montgomery County Police Department]
Comscore Expands into West and Southern Africa — The Reston-based company is expanding its box office measurement services to nine African countries, including Nigeria and South Africa. Company executives say the move can capture the effectiveness of the African film market — one of the “most remarkable cultural developments in recent decades.” [Comscore]
Planning Commission Vote on Prince Towne and Reston Heights Development Proposal Tonight — The panel is expected to vote on scaling back already approved plans for Reston Heights, a mixed-use development already in progress on Sunrise Valley Drive. A vote is also expected on plans for single-family homes on the north side of West Ox Road. [Fairfax County Planning Commission]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
No major crime incidents were reported this week in Herndon and Reston, continuing another week of lull on the crime front.
Local police did investigate a report of a gunshot on April 30.
One round was shot into the ground on the 1500 block of Cameron Crescent Drive, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
No one was injured. FCPD also reported other minor incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
11400 block of Gate Hill Place, personal items from vehicle
13100 block of Kidwell Field Road, bicycle from residence
11900 block of Market Street, phone from business
11200 block of Silentwood Lane, package from residence
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
Countywide, FCPD is reminding residents to take safety precautions when they go outside after two women were assaulted on Centreville walking trails last month:
- Run, jog or walk in areas that are familiar to you.
- If you are walking in an unfamiliar location, bring a friend along with you.
- Avoid running, jogging or walking in a poorly lit or secluded area or after dark.
- Tell someone where you’ll be and share your GPS location with them.
- Do not wear headphones or earbuds.
- Switch up your route and pattern so your actions aren’t predictable.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
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This week, the Fairfax County Police Department did not report any major incidents. However, a string of larcenies involving items taken from cars over a three-day period caught our attention.
According to FCPD, the incidents are not connected.
“We do not believe these incidents are connected, based on locality and the items that were taken,” a spokesperson for FCPD told Reston now.
The following minor incidents were reported by FCPD over the last week:
LARCENIES:
2100 block of Centreville Road, merchandise from business
11400 block of Cypress Point Court, registration stickers from vehicle
1300 block of Deep Run Lane, license plate from vehicle
12600 block of Fantasia Drive, license plate from vehicle
11900 block of Freedom Drive, merchandise from business
2500 block of Farmcrest Drive, bicycle from residence
11500 block of Links Drive, electronic device from vehicle
2500 block of Peter Jefferson Lane, laptop computer from vehicle
11100 block of South Lake Drive, food from business
12000 block of Town Square Street, cell phone from vehicle
1400 block of North Point Village Center, merchandise from business
1100 block of Walker Road, sign from property
11000 block of Villaridge Court, purse from location
STOLEN VEHICLES
None reported
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In partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative, the Reston District Station is encouraging residents to safely dispose of unused or old medicines.
“Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout” is set for Sunday (April 28) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can drop off medications at any of Fairfax County’s eight district police stations. Only pills and liquids will be accepted, not pressurized canisters or needles.
The event is made possible by partnering with local businesses and Fairfax County government departments, including the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board and Neighborhood and Community Services.
Organizers say the disposal is free, confidential and safe. Promotional materials say that safe handling of unused or expired medications can prevent accidental poisoning, protects the environment and prevents drug abuse.
The Reston District Station is located at 1801 Cameron Glen Drive.
Installing carseats for babies and children can be a tough task, so the Fairfax County Police Department is hosting a few free sessions in Reston to offer some help.
Trained officers will review car seat instructions and car owner’s manual to insure car seats are being used safely. The first session is tomorrow (April 18) from 5-8 p.m. at the Reston District Station (1801 Cameron Glen Drive). Can’t make it tomorrow? Other sessions are set for May 15, June 13, July 11, Aug. 22, Sept. 19, Oct. 17, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12.
Here’s more from FCPD:
Installing car seats for babies and children can be difficult, but we all want our children to travel safely. That’s why police district stations across the county host free Car Seat Safety and Install events throughout the year! You will learn how you can ensure your car seat is properly installed to keep your child as safe as possible. In preparation for your appointment, you should install the seat in your vehicle using the instructions that came with the car seat.
Events are by appointment only. Attendees should call 703-478-0904 to schedule an appointment.
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon
A parking dispute turned violent in Reston last week, police said.
Two people got into an argument in the parking lot of McDonalds at 11265 Roger Bacon Drive on April 11 at around 9:37 a.m., according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
“The victim got out of their car and tried to block the other car from leaving by standing in front of it. The driver allegedly struck the victim in the leg with his car and left the scene,” FCPD said.
No injuries were reported and the police are treating the incident as an assault. It’s unclear if the driver was charged.
In other news, the Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
2200 block of Centreville Road, purse from location
2200 block of Centreville Road, purse from location
1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, property from vehicle
9800 block of Faust Drive, license plate from vehicle
12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, merchandise from business
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
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Two brothers from Reston are facing multiple felony charges after local police found weapons and drugs worth $80,000 in their home.
Fairfax County police arrested Jonathan Dailey, 27, and Timothy Dailey, 22, after a rifle, shotgun, handgun, body armor, and narcotics were found in their home, the police department reported today.
The investigation started when police discovered information about drugs being sold out of the home, police said. After receiving a search warrant, a SWAT team found seven pounds of marijuana and 250 hash oil cartridges along with the guns.
Jonathan Dailey, 27, was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possessing a gun with drugs. Timothy Dailey, 22, was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and distribution of hash oil.
Photos via Fairfax County Police Department
A Herndon woman has been arrested in connection with a homicide on Clearwater Court in Herndon earlier this month.
The Herndon Police Department arrested Stephanie Fyfe, 29, on Tuesday (April 9). The victim, David Puryear, 45, of Clinton, Md., was found unresponsive on April 5 at around 1 a.m. at the 600 block of Clearwater Court.
According to a crime report, Puryear had a stab wound to his chest. He was pronounced dead at Reston Hospital. Police said the victim and the suspect know each other.
Anyone with information should contact the police department at 703-435-6843.
In other news, the Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
2100 block of Centreville Road, merchandise from business
9900 block of Georgetown Pike, beer from business
11900 block of Market Street, merchandise from business
2400 block of Masons Ferry Drive, cash from location
11800 block of Spectrum Center, cash from business
11100 block of South Lakes Drive, merchandise from business
12000 block of Town Square Street, merchandise from business
11400 block of Washington Plaza, wallet from residence
STOLEN VEHICLES
None reported
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Updated at 9:42 p.m. — The teacher has been placed on leave, according to a spokesperson for Fairfax County Public Schools.
Fairfax County Police have arrested Raphael Schklowsky, the theater director for Herndon High School, on charges of unlawful filming at a Reston home.
A woman told police she found a hidden camera in an air conditioning vent at a home on the 1800 block of Cranberry Lane in Reston, where she was working, according to a crime report.
FCPD arrested and charged Schklowsky, a 36-year-old Reston resident, with four misdemeanor counts of unlawful filming after detectives conducted an investigation and “found evidence of unlawful filming.”
He was held at the Adult Detention Center on a $5,000 bond.
Photo via FCPD
A Reston man was killed as he crossed a road in Fairfax around 6 a.m. today (April 9), police said.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, Ralph Johnson, 63, was crossing Lee Jackson Memorial Highway near Alder Woods Drive when the driver of a 2017 Toyota Highlander hit Johnson as he was walking in the road.
Police said Johnson was not walking in a crosswalk and that “alcohol may have been a factor” for Johnson. He was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The driver, who was traveling westbound on Lee Jackson Memorial Highway at the time, remained on the scene. Police believe the driver was not speeding and alcohol was not a factor. The incident tied up traffic earlier this morning.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the police department’s crash reconstruction unit at 703-280-0543.
File photo
“Explore the Universe” — A program at Turner Farm Park in Great Falls will offer people ages 9 to 18 an opportunity to learn about stars and galaxies; dark matter and dark energy; and the physics that helped shape the universe from 7:30 to 8:25 p.m. The cost is $8 per person. [Fairfax County]
Students heading to All-Virginia Honor Groups Concert — Four students from South Lakes High School and six from Herndon High School have been named along with more than 200 students from Fairfax County public schools to the 2019 All-Virginia Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Chorus, and Orchestra. The groups will perform on Saturday, April 6, at the Dominion Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Richmond. [FCPS]
Absentee voting map — The Virginia Public Access Project has a data visualization showing where Virginians cast the most absentee ballots. [VPAP]
License plate database — “A Fairfax County judge on Monday ordered the Fairfax police to stop maintaining a database of photos of vehicle license plates, with the time and location where they were snapped, ruling that ‘passive use’ of data from automated license plate readers on the back of patrol cars violates Virginia privacy law.” [The Washington Post]
Photo courtesy Tim Boone
Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a case of a stolen check that someone tried to cash at a Herndon bank, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.
A man in Ashburn reported to police that an envelope containing a check was stolen from his mailbox, according to the police report.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, backpack from residence
1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, tools from vehicle
1800 block of Campus Commons Drive, cable from business
2400 block of Centreville Road, electronic devices from business
2400 block of Centreville Road, cell phone from location
2500 block of Centreville Road, merchandise from location
2300 block of Emerald Heights Court, bicycles from residence
800 block of Grace Meadow Court, jewelry from residence
2300 block of Harley Ford Court, tools from vehicle
11900 block of Market Street, merchandise from business
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
File photo
