The Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling is hosting a bike safety event in partnership with the Fairfax County Police Department.
The socially-distanced event on bicyclist and pedestrian safety takes place on Saturday (August 29) from 9-11 a.m. next to the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in Reston.
FCPD will set up next to the bike lockets at Newton Square’s access road near the mile 17 marker, directly west of the intersection at Wiehle Avenue and Sunset Hills Road.
“This will be a great opportunity for riders to raise bike safety issues and share other concerns with our local law enforcement officers and county officials,” FABB wrote in a statement.
Masks, hand sanitizer, water, snacks, and safety literature will be available at the location.
Several county officials, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation and Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets will also take part.
Residents are encouraged to bring their bikes.
Platform Lighting Upgrades Completed — Metro says that platform-lighting upgrades at 48 underground stations have been completed one year ahead of schedule. The new brighter lights will “improve visibility and enhance safety and security while reducing energy costs,” according to the statement. [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]
Nearby: Search Underway for Missing Adult — Local police are looking for Jose Rodriquez, 81, who was last seen on Aug. 24 at Huntington Metro Station. He is endangered due to mental or physical health concerns, police said. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Spots Still Available for Reston Association Dog Paddle — Several spots are available for this weekend’s dog paddle at North Hills Pool and Dogwood Pool. Pre-registration is required. [Reston Association]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
A Falls Church man has been arrested in connection with two Reston burglaries and car theft, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
On August 12 at around 1:30 p.m., homeowners contacted police about a home burglary that happened that night on the 2200 block of Double Eagle Court. A 2011 Toyota Sienna van was also taken.
Two days after the report, police found two men near the van, which was parked on the 11700 block of Briggs Court.
One of the men, David Pugnetti Webb, 23, was connected with another burglary on Aug. 8 in the 1700 block of Chimney House Road.
Webb was charged with two counts of burglary, four counts of grand larceny, credit card theft, attempted credit card fraud and possession of narcotics.
Information about the incident was released in FCPD’s weekly crime report.
Local six-year-old twins were recognized this week by the Fairfax County Police Department for their heroism last summer.
The twins, Ethan and Ella, rescued a child who sank to the bottom of a pool at a house party in Reston.
FCPD said the siblings swam to the bottom and brought the child to the surface “without hesitation.” Parents began CPR on the child, who was blue and unresponsive.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department took over and the child was resuscitated.
The police department presented the twins with a certificate of appreciation for their heroic actions.
“The twins began swimming at three years old. Their talent and determination faced the ultimate test and they succeeded,” FCPD said.
Photo via FCPD
A Falls Church man was arrested earlier this month in connection with a peeping incident in Reston.
Officers from the Reston District Station arrested Amaya Alvarado, 34, in connection with multiple peeping incidents, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. The incidents happened around 9:30 p.m. on the 2200 block of Lovedale Lane on July 21.
Alvarado was charged with four counts of peeping.
Photo via FCPD
Call for Absentee Votes — The county is opening 14 locations for in-person absentee voting starting Oct. 14. Residents can also apply for an absentee ballot via mail. [Fairfax County Government]
Metro to Restore Service in August — “Metro is increasing service for Metrorail starting Aug. 16 and Metrobus starting Aug. 23. It’s part of the transit agency’s plan to ramp up service throughout the coronavirus pandemic and return to full service in spring 2021.” [DCist]
White Fairfax County police officer formally indicted — “Prosecutors have formally indicted a white Fairfax County police officer charged with assault after firing a stun gun at an African American man. The procedural move means Fairfax County prosecutors are dropping three assault charges against officer Tyler Timberlake in General District Court and instead opting for a grand jury indictment that will allow him to be tried by a jury in Circuit Court.” [WJLA]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Public Comment Sought for Reaccreditation Process — The Town of Herndon’s police department is seeking public comment on the department’s ability to meet with established accreditation standards. [Herndon Police Department]
Reservations Relocated for Golf Course Island — All reservations for Golf Course Island pool are being relocated to Tall Oaks pool as repairs are being completed. All reservation holders will be notified via email. [Reston Association]
FCPD Switches to Weekly Roundup — The department was pivoted from a daily roundup of crime incidents to a weekly roundup, which will be posted on Friday afternoons. [FCPD]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Sergeant Involved in Reston Shooting — “A Reston resident, who D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham identified as a veteran sergeant in his department, shot and killed an armed man standing in the doorway of his apartment late Friday night, according to Fairfax County police.” [The Washington Post]
Fairfax Connector Resumes Service to Herndon-Monroe Park and Ride Today– “Fairfax Connector will resume service to the bus loop at the Herndon-Monroe Park and Ride as construction has been completed… Other construction activity continues at the Park and Ride to prepare for Silver Line Phase 2 Metrorail service, including the Kiss and Ride lot, which will be closed until Silver Line Phase 2 Metrorail service begins next year.” [Fairfax County Government]
Golf Course Island Pool Closed — Reston Association closed the pool due to a plumbing issue over the weekend. All pass holders with reservations have been contacted via email about the change. [Reston Association]
Prosecutors to Drop Stun Gun Charges — “Prosecutors in Fairfax County, Virginia, will seek to drop misdemeanor charges and instead secure an indictment against a police officer who used a stun gun on a man he mistakenly thought he recognized.” [WTOP]
Photo by Ray Copson
(Updated at 12:30 p.m.)
A Reston resident shot and killed a “suspected intruder” late Friday night, according to police.
Daniel Matheson, 29, of Reston was killed in the incident, which happened in an apartment community on the 12000 block of Starboard Drive.
The tenant found Matheson standing in his doorway with a firearm “pointing in his direction,” according to the Fairfax County Police Department. He shot the 29-year-old in the chest.
Matheson was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Police do not believe the two men knew each other. Detectives continue to conduct interviews and process evidence. The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney will determine if charges will be placed.
Detectives responding to 12000 block of Starboard Dr in Reston where a man reported he shot an armed intruder breaking into his apartment. The reported intruder taken to hospital and pronounced dead. Scene is contained and no apparent ongoing threat to public safety. #FCPD pic.twitter.com/zjDjGtoqj7
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) July 11, 2020
A pedestrian was struck by a car at the intersection of Wiehle Avenue and Sunset Hills Road yesterday (Wednesday).
The individual walked away with minor injuries, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
The pedestrian had the right of way, FCPD Sergeant Tara Gerhard told Reston Now.
But the incident prompted FCPD to encourage motorists and pedestrians to use roadways safely. The busy intersection where the incident occurred is known for pedestrian-related accidents.
FCPD urged pedestrians to maintain eye contact while crossing the road, use the crosswalk, and follow all signs associated with the crosswalk. Motorists should also ensure they are avoiding distractions while on the road.
“Responsibility has to be shared with motorists,” said Lieutenant John Lieb.
Safety reminders after a pedestrian sustained minor injuries in Reston crash today. #FCPD #FCPDMediaCar pic.twitter.com/7JqECbuVqV
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) July 8, 2020
Eastbound Baron Cameron Avenue and northbound Wiehle Avenue are closed due to a crash.
The Fairfax County Police Department urges motorists to avoid the area and use an alternate route.
No other information about the incident was immediately available.
County Releases Police Arrest and Traffic Data — The Fairfax County Police Department has released data on traffic citations and arrests by race and gender. The data were provided in “our continued commitment to full transparency to our community and continuous participation in conversation on improving law enforcement,” FCPD said. [FCPD]
Cleaning Work on Underpasses Underway — Reston Association’s crews have been cleaning up underpasses around the community. Yesterday (Tuesday), the team completed the Soapstone to Terraset underpass and “are actively working to take care of all the underpasses.” [Reston Association]
On the Lookout for Destructive Beetle — “It has not yet been detected in Fairfax County, but the county government is asking local residents to be on the lookout for the Asian longhorned beetle, which has been found in other areas of the country and is very destructive to hardwood trees. This beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) has blue feet, a black body and white spots on its back. It is seen as a major problem as it has no natural predators in the U.S.” [WTOP]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
A man has been arrested and charged with the murder of a Reston woman who was found in the basement of a home she rented last week.
Ball Salim Ahmed Ball, 24, of Herndon, was charged with the second-degree murder of Maryam Al Jaberi. Police believe Ball was in a relationship with the woman that began earlier this year.
Al Jaberi, a mother of two, was found dead in the basement of her home on the 11000 block of Great Owl Circle on June 23.
An autopsy ruled the death a homicide. She was discovered by police with trauma to her upper body after her landlord contacted police.
Al Jaberi is survived by two sons. A LaunchGood campaign has raised $35,490 as of Tuesday morning.
Photo via FCPD
A report showing that Black people are disproportionately involved in use-of-force incidents is prompting familiar calls for reform.
Fairfax NAACP president Sean Perryman is calling on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to address the disparity, which has been on the books for six years.
The latest report, released yesterday (Tuesday), shows that Black residents are involved in nearly 46 percent of use-of-force incidents, even though they make up less than 10 percent of the county’s population. The disparity is less prominent in the Reston District Station.
Perryman is also calling on FCPD to release more data on use of force, including why a stop may turn into a use of force case.
“I don’t understand why the county doesn’t have a sense of urgency about providing that data to us,” Perryman said. “My suspicion is that that data will be much worse than the use of force data.”
He added that he is unsurprised by the data he has seen thus far — which is largely consistent with racial disparities throughout the country.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn pitched a three-pronged approach to address the issue.
Alcorn told Reston Now that the body-worn camera should be quickly implemented throughout the county. Currently, three district stations, including Reston, use the devices.
“The role of body-worn cameras in reviewing use of force incidents – as partially implemented in Fairfax County – has already proved useful in the Mount Vernon area of Fairfax County earlier this month,” he said.
Alcorn also said that the county needs to “double down” on community policing.
“This is especially important when most of our police officers do not live in the county and do not have many opportunities outside of duty to get to know county residents,” he said.
On a broader level, Alcorn also says that the county needs to shift to another first responder model that does not rely on armed officers or use of force.
“Many of the community needs for which police are currently called do not involve violation of laws. Examples include crisis counseling, suicide prevention, conflict resolution, and a wide range of mental health and behavioral issues. Creating an unarmed first response unit for these and similar community needs would mark a major step beyond the old model,” he said.
Ashley Hopkins contributed reporting to this story
A homicide investigation is underway in Reston after a 29-year-old woman was found dead in the basement of a home she rented on the 11000 block of Great Owl Circle.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, Maryam Ali Mohammed Al Jaberi was found around 6:30 p.m. yesterday (Monday) by her landlord.
The Office Of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide after an autopsy was conducted this morning. Officers found Al Jaberi in the basement of the home and noticed “suspected trauma to her upper body,” according to FCPD.
The case is under investigation. No other information was immediately available.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fairfax County Police Department Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 2. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web.
