Amidst national calls for transparency and accountability in policing, the Fairfax County Police Department is launching a new interactive data dashboard.

The tool, which is based on Geographic Information System mapping, houses data including arrests, citations, warnings and police department training and policies. FCPD will debut the new platform at a series of virtual town halls beginning on Nov. 18.

“We look forward to implementing this additional layer of accountability and leveraging data analytics to continue to strengthen trust and confidence in your police department,” FCPD wrote in a statement.

The department says the tool was designed based on community input.

“Our new GIS-based data dashboards were designed with input from stakeholders and we will continue to. Have healthy discussions with each of you concerning police policies and operations in all communities,” wrote FCPD Chief Edwin Roessler Jr. in a letter to the community on Oct.  16.

A renewed focus on FCPD’s operations is expected in early 2021 when a team of researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is expected to complete an academic analysis of FCPD’s data and its relationship to core operations today.

The review was initiated at the direction of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the county’s Independent Police Auditor.

Researchers at UTSA are studying the department’s culture after a study released in 2017 found that roughly 40 percent of all use-of-force incidents involve a Black individual.

Across the country, similar conversations about transparency in policing have resulted in reform and additional policy directives.

Recent arrest data released by the departments shows some evidence of disproportionate policing in the county. The data indicate that Black individuals make up roughly 39 percent of all arrests last year. Black residents account for 9.7 percent of the total population.

FCPD officers arrested 34,330 people in 2019, 57 percent of which were white. White residents make up roughly 61 percent of the total population.

In 2017, a study found that roughly 40 percent of all use-of-force incidents involve a Black individual.

Roessler Jr. says his department is grateful for “the additional layer of accountability” provided by the data sets and the ongoing academic review.

“Together, we shall continue to leverage data analytics to build trust,” he said.

FCPD plans to host virtual town halls with district station commanders to discuss training and policies related to the data sets. The complete schedule, including links to the meetings, is below:

• Fair Oaks District – Nov. 18 https://bit.ly/3eJt3Uo
• West Springfield District – Nov. 24 https://bit.ly/3khd01i
• Sully District – Dec. 9 https://bit.ly/2JYG8y9
• Mount Vernon District – Dec. 16 https://bit.ly/3peB8Wb
• McLean District – Jan. 6 https://bit.ly/3kk4ZZz
• Mason District – Jan. 20 https://bit.ly/32tXLfi
• Reston District – Feb. 4 https://bit.ly/38vYDUG
• Franconia District – Feb.  17 https://bit.ly/3ncEVBy

All meetings will be recorded and released the public at a later date.

Image via FCPD, Fairfax County Government

Covenants Staff Aim to Improve Service — Reston Association’s covenants team is working to improve its covenants process. Staff is currently handling a spike in requests for exterior modifications and other applications due to stay-at-home orders. The team is working on improving communications. [RA]

Nearby: Police Investigate Shootings —Major crime detectives continue to investigate three sheetings that happened over the last 36 hours in Fairfax County, including a shooting at a Motel 6 in Springfield, a shooting involving a juvenile victim, and another shooting in Lorton that left two men with serious injuries. [FCPD]

County Offers Tips on Celebrating Diwali Safely — The county is encouraging residents to celebrate the five-day festival of lights safely due to COVID-19. This year’s festival starts tomorrow (Saturday). [Fairfax County Government]

Photo by Marjorie Copson

Two suspects have been taken into custody during an early morning robbery today in Herndon.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the incident happened on the 2000 block of Rock Hill Road around 4:47 am.

A victim is being treated at a local hospital for injuries that are not life threatening.

FCPD urges residents to avoid the area as the investigation continues.

Officers are in the 2000 blk of Rock Hill Road in Herndon for a robbery that happened at 4:47am. 2 suspects are in custody. The victim was taken to the hospital with injuries that are not life threatening. Please avoid the area as officers continue to investigate. #FCPD pic.twitter.com/xkb7m8ZK8F

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) November 10, 2020

As students spend more time in front of screens for virtual learning, staff from the Fairfax County Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit will offer internet safety tips for children.

The virtual event, which is set for Oct. 27 at 7 p.m., is organized by the Reston Community Advisory Committee. The presentation will help parents learn more about how their kids are using the internet, according to the event description.

Here’s more from event organizers:

Things have changed, school is online, work is online, life is online. But do you know what your kids are doing and seeing on the internet? This virtual presentation will discuss how some of the more popular apps work, how to start the conversation about internet safety with your child and how you can prepare yourself for the world wide web according to your pre-teen or teen. This presentation is geared towards parents and family members.

Participants must register online to take part in the virtual conversation.

Photo via Annie Spratt/Unsplash

A Herndon resident was killed in a car crash last night in Herndon, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

Jonathan Szott, 30, was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Police believe Szott was driving a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee on a northbound lane on Centreville Road when he turned onto eastbound McLearen Road, crossed the center median, and crashed into a tow truck in the westbound lanes.

No other injuries were reported. FCPD said it is unclear if speed or alcohol were factors in the crash.

Anyone with information should contact FCPD’s crash construction unit at 703-280-0543.

Cellphone Pioneer Fades Into History — “Reston, Virginia-based NII Holdings, whose predecessor Nextel Communications pioneered the push-to-talk cellphone in the 1990s, has filed a petition for dissolution of its business. The Verified Petition for Dissolution was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.” [WTOP]

Police Investigate Sunoco Gas Station Robbery — The Fairfax County Police Department is investigating a robbery at the station, which is located at 13470 Coppermine Road. A man assaulted an employee and demanded cash from the register at around 12:14 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8. He disappeared from the scene, police said. No injuries were reported. [Fairfax County Police Department]

At-Large Listening Session Set This Week — After a series of district-focused meeting, Reston Association is hosting an at-large listening session on Thursday. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. via Zoom. [Reston Association]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Local police were on the scene of Reston Station Boulevard to investigate an abduction case Wednesday morning, according to a Fairfax County Police Department crime report.

Residents told Reston Now that between 15 to 20 police officers were on the scene to investigate the incident at 11400 Reston Station Boulevard.

FCPD declined to comment further on the investigation.

In an email to residents, the general manager of the Aperture apartments by Bozzuto (11410 Reston Station Boulevard) said the company is “working closely with law officials to minimize the disruption to our residents.”

The email to residents described the incident as an “attempted assault on Metro Center Drive” near the entrance of the garage.  

More information on the investigation is expected soon.

County Expands Early Voting… Early —  The Fairfax County Government Center will be open for early voting his Saturday, Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., one week earlier than planned. A total of 14 locations will open on Oct. 14. [Fairfax County Government]

Reston Cybersecurity Firm  Acquired by Baltimore’s ZeroFox — “Cyveillance, a Reston-based business unit of LookingGlass Cyber Solutions Inc., has been acquired by Baltimore cybersecurity firm ZeroFox.ZeroFox CEO James C. Foster said his company will absorb Cyveillance’s more than 130 employees and over 100 customers through the acquisition.”  [Washington Business Journal]

FCPD Visits Communities for National Night Out — “National Night Out is a way for residents to connect with their local police officers and engage in fun activities with neighbors. Fairfax County Police Department had more than 40 events scheduled throughout the county tonight, including a parade in Reston to stop and visit with community members.” [Local DVM]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Monroe Street in Herndon has reopened after a downed power line forced the road closure earlier today.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the road was closed between Iron Forge Road and Meadow Hall Drive.

FCPD encouraged drivers to find an alternate route.

TRAFFIC UPDATE: Monroe Street is now open. Thanks for your patience. https://t.co/LIZQTn6PHo

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) October 5, 2020

Reston Named Hottest Neighborhood for Home Sales –Reston was named one of the hottest neighborhoods in the greater Washington area. The community came in at number 15, with a median sale price of $561,200, a roughly eight percent change over 2019. [Washington Business Journal]

Fairfax County Underwater Search Practice at Lake Newport Pool —  Reston Association is working with the Fairfax County Police Department’s underwater search and recovery unit for training at the pool. FCPD conducts similar training about once a month. [Reston Today]

School Board to Discuss Metrics for Reopening — Fairfax County Public Schools’ Superintendent Scott Brabrand will offer update his team’s development of health and operational metrics to determine when in-person instruction will resume. The meeting begins today (Tuesday) at 4 p.m. [FCPS]

Photo via Marjorie Copson

Local police continue to investigate a stabbing that occurred earlier this month.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, two men were heading to a local sporting event on Sept. 12 when a group of men stabbed them and ran away.

The victims were taken to a local hospital where they were treated for injuries that were not life-threatening, according to police.

The incident occurred around 3:44 p.m. FCPD released information about the incident on Friday.

Northern Virginia’s ‘Livable’ Tech Hub — The Verge takes a look at how technology workers are considering relocating from hubs like Silicon Valley and New York City as Northern Virginia steps up to become a “welcoming, livable alternative.” [The Verge]

North Point District Listening Session Tonight — Reston Association’s Board of Directors will host a listening tonight via Zoom at 7 p.m. More listening sessions will follow in the coming weeks. [Reston Association]

How Local Police Fight for Mental Health After Officer Suicides — For the last three years, more police officers around the country have died by suicide than on the line of duty. The Fairfax County Police Department has tried to push for more support services. [NBC 4]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Speech and Language Program Pivots to Teletherapy Sessions — “By switching to teletherapy sessions and using clear reusable face masks, the Health Department’s Speech and Language Program has been able to continue to provide its critical early-intervention services to children during the COVID-19 pandemic.” [Fairfax County Government]

Local Discussion on Access to Capital for Minority-owned Businesses — “Minority entrepreneurs face challenges in accessing capital to start, grow and sustain businesses, and that problem has worsened during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.” [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]

Nearby: Homicide Suspect Extracted from El Salvador — “Adonay Polanco Cabrera, 25, formerly of Culmore, arrived in Fairfax County on Aug. 18 after being extradited from El Salvador with the assistance of several federal law enforcement partners to include the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Marshals Service.” [Fairfax County Police Department]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr