Researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio will study the Fairfax County Police Department’s use-of-force culture.
A study released three years ago found that roughly 40 percent of all use-of-force incidents involved a Black individual. The Fairfax County Board of Directors subsequently directed Police Auditor Richard Schott to find an academic team to review FCPD’s data.
The study, which will identify patterns and trends by FCPD with emphasis on race, ethnicity, and gender, will be completed by Jan. 31, 2021. Researchers will review incidents that happened between 2016 and 2018, in addition to the following questions:
1. What factors or combination of factors contribute to the use of force by FCPD officers? Specifically, what role does civilian race, ethnicity, gender, or similar personal characteristics play in the decision to use force?
2. Does the rate of force experienced by persons of different races and/or ethnicities align with those groups’ representation among persons at risk for having force used against them by the police? Do disparities exist in rates of force experienced by different racial and/or ethnic groups relative to risk?
3. Is civilian race, ethnicity, or gender related to the level of force used by the police while accounting for resistance and other relevant individual, situational, and environmental factors?
4. How can the FCPD improve its use of force data collection processes to help facilitate future analyses?
5. What steps can the FCPD take to help reduce bias in use of force incidents?
The USTA team expects to present a reporting of its findings — including conclusions and next steps — to the Board of Supervisors.
File photo
A business in RTC West was robbed on Thursday (Feb. 6), according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
Police said someone broke into Nando’s Peri-Peri (12120 Sunset Hills Road) at around 12:45 a.m. that day and stole property.
No description of the suspect has been released. Information about the incident was made public today.
Image via Google Maps
Local police are investigating an armed robbery that happened earlier today at the 7-Eleven on 2303 Soapstone Drive in Reston.
Four men wearing masks — including one with a firearm — entered the store and stole property around 4:28 a.m. today, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
“One man brandished a firearm at the clerk while another man jumped over the counter and stole property,” according to FCPD.
The race and age of the suspects are unknown, police said.
Image via Google Maps
Blackboard Inc. Opens New Global Headquarters — The leading education technology company officially opened the doors of its new global headquarters in Plaza America on Monday. The company considered “best value, convenience to public transportation, commuter routes, airports, and life-style amenities” when making the decision to choose Reston. [PR Newswire]
Big Activity at Reston Station — Chris Clemente, Comstock’s CEO, talks about “big activity” at Reston Station. [Commercial Observer]
Sunoco Gas Station in Herndon Robbed — The gas station on 12370 Coppermine Road was robbed on Friday, Jan. 25. Police believe a man threatened a store clerk with a knife and took off with cash and merchandise. The suspect is described as black and in his 20s. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Two businesses were robbed over the long weekend, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
On Monday, Jan. 20, a man threatened a clerk at CVS Pharmacy (2525 Centreville Road) with a knife and stole cash from multiple registers. Police described the suspect as a black man who is likely in his early 20s or late teens. The incident happened around 8 a.m.
Streetshares (1900 Campus Commons Drive) was also robbed on Sunday, Jan. 19. Police believe someone entered the business at around 5:55 p.m. that day and stole cash.
On Saturday, Jan. 18, two victims were assaulted by two other men as they walked on the 13200 block of Poener Place shortly after 1 p.m. Police believe the men stole phones from the victims.
“The first suspect is described as a 20-30-year-old heavy set Hispanic man with a full beard. The second suspect is described as an 18-21-year-old Hispanic man,” police said.
A portion of Lawyers Road in Reston is closed to a crash, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
The southbound lane of Lawyers Road at Soapstone Drive is closed. Commuters should avoid the area and find an alternate route.
Photo via Google Maps
Pizza and personal belongings were taken from a pizza delivery driver yesterday (Thursday).
The incident happened after the driver found that no one at the given address (the 12800 block of Longleaf Lane) had ordered the pizza.
As the driver left the home around 10:26 p.m., a man displayed a stun gun and stole the pizza, a cellphone and other personal belongings from the driver.
The suspect is described as a black man in his 20s.
A Herndon man was arrested in connection with a robbery of a home on the 1100 block of Casper Drive in Herndon earlier this month.
Police believe Jose Mendoza Banegas, 20, broke into the home and stole an undisclosed amount of cash and other items of value.
The Herndon Police Department indicated that the suspect entered the home through a basement window sometime between 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 2. Banegas was arrested on Dec. 12.
In a separate incident, Jose Alfredo Ardon Castillo, 47, of Herndon, was arrested in connection with the sexual battery of an individual known to him on Dec 13.
On Dec. 14, Ermes Urbano Castillo, 47, of Herndon was also arrested for the aggravated assault of a victim known to him. Both men were taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention enter where they were held without bond.
An attempted burglary was also reported at a business on the 1200 block of Old Heights Road in Herndon. No arrest was made in connection with the Dec. 11 incident.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station also reported the following minor incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
2100 block of Astoria Circle, cash from location
1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, cell phone from location
2500 block of Farmcrest Drive, gun from vehicle
2400 block of Masons Ferry Drive, property from vehicle
1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, wallet from location
12900 block of Centre Park Circle, license plates from vehicle
1500 block of Chatman Colony Court, package from front steps
1800 block of Jonathan Way, cash from residence
11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive, wallet from location
11700 block Sunrise Valley Drive, luggage and computers from vehicle
12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, merchandise from business
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
Local police are encouraging residents to be wary of porch pirates in Reston and Herndon. An increase in package thefts is often seen when holiday shopping is in full swing this time of year.
The Fairfax County Police Department issued the following tips to avoid package thefts:
- Ask a neighbor to hold a package if you’re unable to pick it up
- Ship packages to your workplace or a nearby store
- Sign up for delivery alerts and require a signature, if possible.
- Purchase a lockbox for your front porch or a mailbox with secured access
A recent study found that nearly 26 million Americans reported having holiday packages stolen from their doorstep or porch.
Lots of package delieveries?! Don’t make it this easy for porch pirates. Ponch has some suggestions to make sure your packages make it safely under the tree. 🎁🎄https://t.co/TmyS8jCtrQ#elfontheshelf #herndonpd pic.twitter.com/V6j2qtRUSi
— Herndon Police (@HerndonPolice) December 13, 2019
Photo via Unsplash
Local police are investigating after CVS Pharmacy in Herndon was robbed over the weekend.
Police believe the location at 2525 Centreville Road was robbed on Saturday, Dec. 14 at around 7:55 p.m.
The suspect implied she had a handgun and demanded cash, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
FCPD indicated the woman is around 40 years old and was wearing dark clothing.
Photo via Google Maps
Southbound Fox Mill Road near Lawyers Road is closed due to a damaged pole.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the road is closed as crews work to repair a pole that was damaged when a car crashed into it earlier this morning.
It’s unclear when the road will reopen. Drivers should expect delays.
TRAFFIC ALERT: SB Fox Mill Rd near Lawyers Rd in Reston is closed as crews work to repair a pole that was damaged due to a single vehicle crash. Expect delays. #FCPD pic.twitter.com/JN9f1O4r5Q
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) December 9, 2019
Photo via Google Maps
A felony hit and run incident closed Reston Parkway at Stevenage round today (Wednesday) shortly after midnight.
Police believe a man driving a black 2016 Honda Fit was traveling northbound on Reston Parkway when he crossed over into opposing traffic on the other side of the road and hit a black 2003 Toyota Corolla.
The man attempted to flee the scene by foot, but was caught after a helicopter-assisted pursuit. The suspect, whose name has not been publicly released, was taken to a local hospital after he was bitten by a police K9.
Police said the man was “combative” when officers attempted to arrest him. Charges are pending.
No other information about the incident was released publicly.
This story has been updated.
A registered sex offender has been arrested after he walked into Aldrin Elementary School on Thursday.
Police believe Benjamin Garrett, 29, followed someone into the school around 3:55 p.m. that day.
He was confronted by a staff member but remained on the property.
A short while later, police arrested Garrett as he was walking away from the school. He was arrested and charged with entering school property after a violent sex offense conviction.
He is currently being held without bond.
Photo via FCPD
A woman was arrested for assaulting a restaurant manager and police officers at Willard’s BBQ (11790 Baron Cameron Avenue).
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, Shayla Davis, 38, assaulted the restaurant’s manager when she was asked to pay on Nov. 19. Police said the woman also shoved police officers and attempted to resist arrest by kicking the officers.
Davis was charged with assault on law enforcement, simple assault, and obstruction of justice.
No further information about the incident was released.
File photo
This week was a relatively light week on crime, with no major incidents reported by the Fairfax County Police Department.
FCPD’s Reston District Station also reported the following minor incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
1800 block of Discovery Street, bag from location
1600 block of Parkcrest Circle, cover from vehicle
2400 block of Wheat Meadow Circle, tools from vehicle
11600 block of Charter Oak Court, furniture from residence
12200 block of Laurel Glade Court, cash from residence
2000 block of Maleady Drive, bicycle from residence
11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive, bicycle from residence
11300 block of Dockside Circle, license plate from vehicle
2200 block of Astoria Circle, cell phone from location
11600 block of Brandon Hill Way, property from residence
2200 block of Compass Point Lane, wallet from location
11900 block of Killingsworth Avenue, liquor from business
11400 block of Reston Station Boulevard, bicycle from location
STOLEN VEHICLES:
2200 block of Halter Lane, 1996 Volvo 850
1900 block of Reston Metro Plaza, 2011 Jeep Wrangler
Photo via FCPD
