Franconia District Police Station Sept Community Report

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Message From the Commander

Dear Franconia Community,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the September Community Report. This is the first report since I took over command of Franconia District Station on August 23^rd. I consider the readers of this newsletter to be among the most involved members of our diverse community. I look forward to meeting and talking with you at community engagement events and elsewhere.

The change that brought me to Franconia District Station is one of a number of changes that our new Chief of Police, Kevin Davis, has made since joining FCPD in May (you will see more changes as you read further in this newsletter). All these changes are intended to make an already highly regarded Police Department even better.

Similarly, my goal is to make Franconia District Station even better. I will continue the efforts of my predecessor, Captain - now Major - Greg Fried in growing relationships with the many elements of our community while at the same time making improvements to the effectiveness of the Franconia District Station team.

Finally, please remember that this Community Report is for you. If there are things you believe I can do to make it more valuable to you, please use the Comment link at the bottom of this newsletter to let me know.

Sincerely,

James

James Krause, Captain

Commander, Franconia District Station

Click here for the Franconia District Station Website

How are we doing?

Let us know your view of how the Fairfax County Police Department is performing. Click on the button at right to participate in our survey. Submissions can be anonymous.

Take the Survey

New Executive Deputy Police Chief & Promotions

Brian J. Reilly, formerly of the Prince George’s County Police Department, started a new chapter on August 30, 2021 as the Fairfax County Police Department’s Executive Deputy Police Chief. In this new role, Reilly is responsible for the coordination of FCPD’s crime control strategies, policy and legislative initiatives and the implementation of a new data and evidence-based policing strategy that prioritizes community interaction with police officers throughout Fairfax County. Click on the picture to see the full text of the announcement.

The appointment follows nine Command Staff promotions on August 2nd which included two Deputy Chiefs and seven Majors. One of those was the promotion of the Franconia District Station Commander, Captain Greg Fried, to Major leading Patrol Bureau IV. Patrol Bureau IV includes the Franconia and Mount Vernon District Stations. Click HERE to see the full announcement.

Officer of the Month

The CAC has changed from selecting an Officer of the Quarter to selecting an Officer of the Month. The Officer of the Month for August is PFC Isa Martin.

PFC Martin was cited for his hard work in achieving a voluntary end to a series of very large evening car shows at the lot of an automobile dealership along Loisdale Road. The car shows drew thousands of attendees from D.C., Maryland and Virginia. The shows resulted in numerous calls for service that included reckless driving, street racing, trespassing, and noise, among others. When initial requests to bring the car show into compliance were rebuffed by the dealership's General Manager, PFC Martin worked with the Fire Marshal's Office, ABC officers and others to bring the situation to the direct attention of the dealership's owners, show them the effect on the community, and inform them of the need for additional permits should the shows continue. The owners immediately decided to permanently shut down the shows.

Back To School Safety Tips

In-person learning in Fairfax County schools is back! The 2021-2022 school year started August 23rd.Here are some important safety reminders as school buses and kids will be out and about after a year of virtual learning. Please remember, it is reckless driving, a criminal offense, if you pass a stopped school bus unloading children. It is not worth risking the safety and lives of others to get to your destination a few seconds faster.

DRIVERS, make travel safer for everyone by following these practices:

When backing out of a driveway or garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.

When driving in neighborhood school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking of getting there safely.

Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in neighborhood. -Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.

Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.

Learn and obey the school bus laws as well as the flashing signal light system:

Yellow flashing - the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.

Red flashing lights and extended stop arms - the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving.

PARENTS & GUARDIANS, Teach your child bus stop safety:

Safety While Waiting: Your child should arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Show your child where to wait for the bus - at least three giant steps (six feet) away from the curb. Remind your child that the bus stop is not a place to run or play.

Getting On and Off Safely: When the school bus arrives, your child should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay before approaching the bus door. Your child should use the handrails to avoid falling.

Caution Around the Bus: Your child should never walk behind a school bus. If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, tell him/her to walk on a sidewalk or along the side of the street to a place at least five giant steps (10 feet) in front of the bus before crossing. Your child should also make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing to make sure the driver can see him/her. If your child drops something near the school bus, like a ball or book, the safest thing is for your child to tell the bus driver right away. Your child should not try to pick up the item, because the driver might not be able to see him/her.

For more school bus safety tips, click HERE.

For the Virginia Code regarding passing a stopped school bus click HERE.

Upcoming Crime Prevention Office Events

Walk & Talk

In cooperation with community groups, Franconia District Station is coordinating "Walk & Talk" events throughout the district.

In most cases, planned events will include other Public Safety team members such as Fire and Rescue, Sheriff's Office, or Fairfax County Board of Supervisors representatives and Police.

"Walk & Talk" events are normally from 5:00 to 7:00 PM and are intended to offer a low-stress opportunity for community members to discuss issues and concerns with their public safety representatives.

Reality Check

Reality Check is a unique safe driver, injury prevention program that focuses on safety and education. It is designed to reduce teenage distracted driving, reckless driving, and driving under the influence (DUI) as well as to Help parents and guardians learn to be good mentors and driving coaches. The three-hour program is held on three consecutive Monday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00PM beginning September 13th. The course is free and only offered at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus. Space is limited. Click on the picture for more information.

Other Events

"Stuff the Bus"

September 11th and October 9th, 10:00AM to 3:00PM

at Island Creek Elementary School

Benefitting United community Early Learning Center

and

at George Mason Regional Library

Benefitting Annandale Christian Community for Action

"Veterans Honor Flight"

September 18th at National Airport, 7:30AM

Honoring veterans of WW II, Korea, and Vietnam and also catastrophically ill and seriously injured veterans of all eras.

"Senior Citizen Scams"

September 23 at the Shepherd's Center of Annandale Springfield, 11:00AM

"Kids Safety Day"

September 25th, at Old Navy on Frontier Drive, 12 Noon to 4:00 PM

Fun community activities, open to all.

"Fraud Expo"

September 30 at Greenspring with AARP, 10:00AM

For more information about these events or for other crime prevention information and assistance, contact the Franconia District Station Crime Prevention Office:

Community Outreach and Liaison Officer

MPO Eric Nelson [eric.nelson@fairfaxcounty.gov] 703-277-2490

Crime Prevention Officer

PFC Sean Corcoran [Sean.Corcoran@fairfaxcounty.gov] 703-277-2476

Click below to visit the Fairfax County Police Department's

Crime Prevention & Awareness page.

Crime Prevention & Awareness

August Crime Report

STABBING: 6500 Springfield Mall (Springfield Town Center), 8/31/21, 6:52 p.m. The victim encountered the suspect in the food court. A dispute arose and escalated to a fight during which the victim was stabbed. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and remains hospitalized. Preliminarily, this was not a random act and detectives continue to investigate.

ROBBERY: 4300 block of Ravensworth Road, 8/30/21, 9:03 p.m. The victim arranged to sell property through an app. When he met the man, he was approached by a second man who assaulted him and took his property. Both men fled the area. The victim’s injuries were not considered life threatening.

SHOOTING: 6100 block of Amherst Avenue, 8/29/21, 2:20 p.m. The victim saw three men attempting to break into a vehicle. When the victim approached, one of the men pointed a firearm at the victim. The victim fired one round at the man. The three men fled the scene. No injuries were reported.

WEAPONS VIOLATON/SHOOTING: 6300 block of Rolling Road, 8/29/21, 1:32 a.m. A witness reported hearing a single gunshot and saw a man displaying a firearm. When the man was approached by security, he dropped the weapon and ran away. Officers located a handgun on the ground and a single shell case. No injuries were reported.

ROBBERY: 6100 block of Backlick Road, 8/27/21, 11:03 p.m. The victim was approached by three men. One of the men produced a knife while the other two men assaulted the victim and took his property before running away. The victim’s injuries were not considered life threatening.

CARJACKING - ARREST: 6100 block of Franconia Road, 8/25/21, 8:03 a.m. A man approached the driver of a 2020 Ford transport van in the parking lot, displayed a gun and stole the car. No injuries were reported. Through video surveillance, detectives identified the suspect. On August 26, Douglas Whitley, 38, of Washington DC, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department. He remains in custody at their sixth district station and waiting to be extradited back to Virginia. Whitley was charged with carjacking. The black 2020 Ford transport van which has Peloton written on the side as well as the contents inside have not yet been recovered.

STOLEN AUTO/WEAPONS VIOLATION - ARREST: 9600 block of Hagel Circle, 8/19/2021, 11:18 p.m. Officers located a stolen 2021 Mazda Crossover driving through the area. The driver, Johnny Gates, 49, of Lorton, was arrested. A loaded firearm, suspected drugs and a large sum of money were found in the car. Gates was charged with receiving stolen goods, possession of firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with intent to sell drugs, sell drugs while possession a firearm.

STOLEN AUTO - ARREST: I-395 at Edsall Road, 8/18/21, 6:41 p.m. Officers coordinated a traffic stop on a stolen 2020 Coleman trailer being driven through the area. Two occupants, James Buraglia, 68, of Texas, and Landon Forman, 23, of Oklahoma, were charged with grand larceny auto theft.

STOLEN AUTO/VEHICLE PURSUIT - ARREST: Fairfax County Parkway at Terminal Road, 8/17/21, 2:32 p.m. The owner called police to report they discovered their stolen 2017 Honda Accord being driven in the area. Officers attempted to stop the car, but the driver refused, resulting in a pursuit. The vehicle crashed and became disabled. The driver ran away from the car but was caught by officers a short distance away. Two other men ran away from the car but were not located. Dwayne Anderson, 20, of Lorton, was charged with grand larceny auto theft, speed to elude, obstruction of justice, reckless driving and driving without a license.

ATTEMPTED CARJACKING: 6000 block of Grayson Street, 8/15/21, 4:32 a.m. Three men approached the victim, demanded his keys and cell phone and tried to pull him out of his car. A witness intervened causing the three men to flee in a black sedan. No injuries were reported.

SHOOTING: John Thomas Drive at Lavinus Lane,8/13/21, 10:17 a.m. Officers responded to the area for report of gunshots. Multiple cartridge cases were discovered in the roadway and an unoccupied truck was damaged. A short time later, a hospital reported an adult man was dropped off suffering from a gunshot wound to the lower body. The man was treated for injuries that were considered not life threatening. Detectives responded to continue the investigation.

ROBBERY: 7600 block of Oak Ridge Court, 8/12/21, 12:51 a.m. A man and a woman were having a dispute on a sidewalk when an acquaintance stepped in and was assaulted. The woman called 911 and the man assaulted her, took her property and left in a car. No injuries were reported.

VEHICLE PURSUIT: Telegraph Road at Split Rock Road, 8/10/21, 1:50 a.m. Officers located a stolen 2019 Toyota Camry and attempted to make a traffic stop which resulted in a pursuit. After a short distance, the car crashed and the occupants ran away. Officers quickly took both occupants into custody. Charges are pending for both juveniles.

COMMERCIAL ROBBERY: 6406 Springfield Plaza (My Eye Doctor), 8/10/21, 3:21 p.m. Four men entered the business, assaulted the employee and took property. The employee received treatment at a hospital for injuries considered not life threatening.

ROBBERY - ARREST: 6600 block of Springfield Mall, 8/8/21, 1:50 p.m. Joshua Bekoe, 26, of Lorton, disputed his cab fare with the driver. Bekoe displayed a firearm, took property and ran away. He was located by officers and charged with robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

VEHICLE PURSUIT: 6900 block of Telegraph Road, 8/2/21, 12:24 a.m. Officers saw a wanted man driving a 2009 BMW 328i and attempted to make a traffic stop which resulted in a pursuit. After a short distance, the driver crashed and the occupants fled. Officers located a juvenile occupant who was taken into custody. Two firearms were recovered from inside the vehicle. Charges are pending for the juvenile.

RECKLESS DISCHARGE - ARREST: 9400 block of Lorton Market Street, 8/5/21, 8:36 p.m. An officer observed a man shooting a firearm into the wood line. The officer arrested Patrick Wallace, 33, of Washington DC, and he was charged with reckless handling of a firearm. No injuries were reported

The report contains selected crimes. This report is not a comprehensive list of every police event in the district in the month. Information contained in the Info Sheet is generally based on initial reports made to the police department. Follow-up investigations may reveal different or additional information.

Bias Crimes and Incidents - Franconia District

No Bias Crimes were reported in August.

For more detail on Virginia and Fairfax County Bias Crime law click HERE .

To view the FCPD General Order on Bias Crime Policy, Click HERE

REMINDER:

Please be vigilant & report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood

Anyone with information pertaining to the listed cases is asked to contact Crime Solvers by one of the methods below. If the information provided results in an arrest and indictment, apprehension of a fugitive or the recovery of stolen property or seizure of illegal drugs, a cash reward ranging between $100 to $1000 is paid to the tipster.

By Phone -1-866-411-TIPS ( 866-411-8477);
By Text - Send a text message to 847411, then type the keyword "FCCS" add a space, type your tip info and hit send;
By web - Click HERE; or,
Download our Mobile tip411 App "Fairfax Co Crime Solvers."

Calls for Service and Crime Statistics

Calls for Service

Calls for Service increased in August over the previous year in Franconia and in all other FCPD District Station areas. Franconia saw an increase in all three call categories - criminal, service and traffic. The increase is possibly related to pandemic-related changes in activity patterns.

For information on how these statistics are compiled click HERE.

Crime Statistics

In August, year-to-date Group A Events (more serious crimes) decreased for Franconia District compared to the same period the previous year. While the overall total and most individual types of event decreased, there were increases in burglary, robbery and stolen property.

A decrease in total events was reported for all FCPD District Stations. The total decrease across the county was 14.15%.

Group A offenses are more serious offenses that must be reported to the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS). For a full description of Groups A and B click HERE.

For additional crime statistics and information please click below.

Crime Statistics

Franconia Police District News

National Night Out

National Night Out is back! In 2020 the pandemic caused NNO to be postponed and scaled back. This year relaxed restrictions brought the total of events to 146 county-wide with 22 of those in Franconia District. Not as many as in 2019, but more than enough to show that community spirit is re-emerging.

Shop with a Cop

Back to school means getting a lot of things ready for a return to classroom instruction. For some kids, it means concern about having nice shoes. Franconia District Station staff helped end that concern for 41 kids with the support of Rack Room Shoes, Yates Car Wash, Northern Virginia Corvette Club, Jett's Cakes, Franconia CAC and others. The kids were taken to the store and allowed to buy whatever shoes they needed to be ready for the new school year.

September Traffic Safety Initiatives

Each month the Franconia District Station Traffic Enforcement Officer selects areas of the traffic code for special enforcement emphasis. The areas chosen are based on county-wide traffic safety focus areas, seasonal variables, public safety concerns, and other factors. For September, the enforcement areas below have been selected. Click HERE to get more information on these enforcement areas.

“Back to School Safety”, September 1^st – 30^th

Passing stopped school buses

Speed limits at school crossings

Warning devices on school buses. "Failure of a warning device to function on any school bus shall not relieve any person operating a motor vehicle from his duty to stop..."

Occupants of front seats of motor vehicles required to use safety lap belts and shoulder harnesses.

"Bicycle Safety Enforcement", September 1^st – 30^th

Passing bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped ...

Use of a protective helmet while operating a bicycle.

"Child Passenger Safety", September 1^st – 30^th

Child restraint devices required when transporting certain children; safety belts for passengers less than eighteen years old required.

“National Child Passenger Safety Week”, September 19^th – 25^th

“National Seat Check Day”, September 25^th

Franconia

Community Advisory Committee (CAC)

CAC Meeting Schedule

CAC meetings are normally held at 7 PM on the 3^rd Wednesday of the month with a break during July and August. Meetings resume this month. Meeting participation details are distributed by email. Contact CAC Coordinator Kim Barber mailto:kim.barber@fairfaxcounty.gov if you would like to be placed on the CAC notification list.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 7 PM via Zoom

Agenda: Meet the New Commander

Click here for more information on CAC

Police Data and Reform Website

Several legislative and procedural activities are underway that affect the organization and operations of the Fairfax County Police Department. To provide a central point to find these activities' status and find data on police activities, the Police Data and Reform Website has been created to provide links to reports and data. To visit the site, click on the picture below.