How much is Crime up in Fairfax? Lee Chapel Road Update

January 26, 2023

In this Issue…

Lee Chapel Road Safety Improvements - Our community recently lost two young lives and one remains seriously injured after a horrific crash on Lee Chapel Road. This half-mile stretch of Lee Chapel Road has seen significant accidents and injuries over the past several years. After a previous fatal crash occurred on this road in 2015, I recommended a project that would fix the hills, curves, and alignment be added to our district’s priority list of unfunded transportation projects. I attempted to have it moved forward during the 2017 Transportation Priority Plan process, but funding was not sufficient at that time, and it remains on our unfunded priority list. The week after the crash, I hosted a meeting with VDOT and FCDOT to explore short-term, mid-term, and long-term improvements for this section of road. On Tuesday the Board approved my motion, to have FCDOT research and provide a preliminary cost estimate and identify potential funding sources for a mid-term project to eliminate the hills on Lee Chapel Road between Ox Road and the Fairfax County Parkway. I will also be working with the FCPD and our FCPS representatives to continue to help educate our drivers, especially our young drivers, on the potentially serious consequences of speeding. More below.

Crime Statistics Highlight Public Safety Needs – I recently asked for the preliminary crime rates for 2022 as I was having difficulty reconciling statements by some elected officials that crime in Fairfax County is down with what I’m hearing from residents. It looks like the residents are correct - major crimes in Fairfax County are increasing. Crimes against persons up 10.5%. Crimes against property up 19.1%. Crimes against society up 6.1%. Details and my thoughts on the reason crime is up below.

Other News and Information

2023 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
Car Seat Inspections (Jan 28^th)
Dog Licenses Due (Jan 31^st)
Fairfax Connector Service Changes; New Route 660 (Feb 4^th& Feb 6^th)
Dementia Friends Information Session (Feb 8^th)

Lee Chapel Road Safety Improvements

Our community recently lost two young lives and one remains seriously injured after a horrific crash on Lee Chapel Road. In the weeks following the crash, I have received a significant number of calls, emails, and social media messages from people asking that the County do something to prevent this from happening again, including a petition signed by nearly 14,000 citizens asking for improvements. I am reviewing all of your feedback and working with local and state partners to come up with short-term, mid-term, and long-term improvements for this section of road.

This half-mile stretch of Lee Chapel Road has seen significant accidents and injuries over the past several years. After a previous fatal crash occurred on this road in 2015, I recommended a project that would fix the hills, curves, and alignment be added to our district’s priority list of unfunded transportation projects. I attempted to have it moved forward during the 2017 Transportation Priority Plan process, but funding was not sufficient at that time, and it remains on our unfunded priority list.

On January 18 ^th I hosted a meeting with Supervisor Storck, Delegate Kathy Tran, VDOT and FCDOT leadership to discuss short and mid-term improvements that we can undertake while we work to fund the full four-lane improvement project as shown on the Comprehensive Plan. VDOT has already installed optical speed bars on the roadway as a timely first step. We are fully committed to improving safety on this short section of roadway and I am hosting a follow up meeting on Friday. Additional details on these proposals will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.

In addition to the short-term solutions being investigated by VDOT and FCDOT, on Tuesday the Board approved my motion, jointly presented with Supervisor Storck and Chairman McKay, that FCDOT be directed to research and provide a preliminary cost estimate and identify potential funding sources for a mid-term project to eliminate the hills on Lee Chapel Road between Ox Road and the Fairfax County Parkway. These interim changes should be designed with the ultimate goal of the four-lane widening already envisioned in the Comprehensive Plan. My motion further asked that the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA), who owns most of the forested area around the road, work with VDOT and FCDOT to improve the shoulder of Lee Chapel Road and our Public Works department to investigate streetlights on Lee Chapel Road

This week, the FCPD released information regarding the high speed the teens’ vehicle was traveling (over 100MPH) and the distance which the car was airborne (130 ft) before the crash; they also shared that one of the victims was not wearing a seatbelt. This highlights the need for continued education of our young drivers as to just how unsafe speeding can be. Less than a year ago in Oakton, a teenage driver was speeding on Blake Lane, hit another car and then collided with and killed two high school students who were walking nearby on the sidewalk. I will be working with the FCPD and our FCPS representatives to continue to educate our young drivers on the potentially serious consequences of speeding.

Many people have asked me how they can help. I would suggest that you reach out to any young drivers you may know and remind them of the dangers of speeding and hill jumping. Also please stay engaged with your local and state representatives to let them know the importance of addressing these road safety issues and educating our young drivers. As I stated at the Board meeting this is just one of the many roads in the County that is not designed for today’s traffic volumes and high-powered vehicles. This is just the beginning of a multi-step plan to address this road and the incident, and I will continue to provide updates (via this newsletter and other venues) as I receive them.

Crime Statistics Highlight Public Safety Needs

I recently asked for the preliminary crime rates for 2022 as I was having difficulty reconciling statements by some elected officials that crime in Fairfax County is down with what I’m hearing from residents. It looks like the residents are correct - major crimes in Fairfax County are increasing. Crimes against persons up 10.5%. Crimes against property up 19.1%. Crimes against society up 6.1%.

The reasons are clear. We have a Commonwealth’s Attorney who has stopped prosecuting misdemeanors, has stopped prosecuting felonies below $1,500, has been reprimanded by judges' numerous times, has stated he will not prosecute a third felony, has high a turnover of attorneys in his office, does not prosecute cases himself and the list could go on and on. Unfortunately, the criminals know this.

In addition, our police department has had to eliminate many of its specialty units (neighborhood policing, speed enforcement teams, etc.) in order to staff patrol positions due to the staffing crisis that the Board has been slow to address despite my continued advocacy.

We need to increase compensation of our patrol officers so we can retain and recruit the best officers to address this staffing crisis and reestablish Fairfax County as one of the safest jurisdictions of its size in the country. Public safety funding must be a priority for this Board in 2023.

Other News and Information

2023 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Prep Program

This program provides free federal tax return preparation and e-filing beginning in the first week in February (Mason District Government Center will open January 27) by volunteers certified by the IRS. The tax season closes on Tuesday, April 18. The eleven centers in Northern Virginia also prepare Virginia returns. Some sites have counselors qualified to prepare Maryland and DC returns as well. Counselors handle almost all forms of income, and work with taxpayers to help them get all the deductions and credits for which they qualify. Although the program has no income limits, Tax-Aide clients are generally low- and middle-income taxpayers.

You do not have to be an AARP member to take advantage of this service, which is available to taxpayers of all ages, with special attention to seniors. Taxpayers need to bring with them: a photo ID; Social Security cards for themselves and dependents; a copy of last year’s tax return (even if taxes were done at the site the prior year) and all tax documents they have received including but not limited to W-2s, Social Security benefit statements, 1099 interest, dividend, and pension/IRA statements, brokers' statements, K-1s, and W-2Gs for gambling winnings. Self-employed individuals should bring information about the earnings and expenses of their businesses. If these individuals are claiming mileage expenses for 2022, they should show a breakdown of mileage for January-June and July-December. Taxpayers who itemize deductions should bring documents and records concerning outlays such as mortgage interest, real estate tax, personal property tax, medical expenses and charitable contributions. Those claiming education credits should bring form 1098-T from the relevant educational institution and records of outlays for tuition and other qualifying expenditures such as course books. Direct deposit of refunds and direct debit of taxes owed require the bank routing number and the taxpayer’s account number.

Visit novataxaide.org after January 15 for the latest information on how each site will operate and how to make an appointment. Most phone lines and emails will not be monitored on a daily basis until later in January. All sites open the first week in February, unless otherwise noted.

Mason District Government Center

6507 Columbia Pike

Annandale, VA22003

Info: 703-658-0216 during open hours

Appointments: 703-249-9961

Open January 27 - April 18 (Closed February 20)

Mondays & Thursdays: 1 pm to 8 pm

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 9:30 am - 1 pm

Saturdays: 9 am - 1pm

Walk-ins welcome. Appointments available in the mornings

Sherwood Regional Library

2501 Sherwood Hall Lane

Alexandria, VA22306

Mondays & Tuesdays: 1:15 pm - 4 pm and 5 pm to 8:30 pm

Wednesdays through Saturdays: 10:15 am - 2 pm

Walk-ins. Same day appointments made at library

Info: 571-882-9374 or sherwood.taxes@gmail.com

Arlington Central Library

1015 North Quincy Street

Arlington, VA22201

Tuesdays: 10 am to 7 pm Thursdays: 10 am to 4 pm

Make an appointment at novataxaide.org

Info: 703-829-6192 or acl.taxaide47@gmail.com

Columbia Pike Branch Library

816 South Walter Reed Drive

Arlington, VA22204

Tuesdays: 12 pm to 7 pm

Fridays & Saturdays: 10 am to 2 pm

Appointments and walk-ins. Info at novataxaide.org

Centreville Regional Library

14200 St. Germain Drive

Centreville, VA20121

Tuesdays: 4 pm to 8 pm Wednesdays: 1 pm to 5 pm

Saturdays: 10 am to 2 pm

Appointments and Walk-ins.

Info: 703-239-3742 or CentrevilleTaxAide@gmail.com

James Lee Community Center

2855 Annandale Road

Falls Church, VA 22042

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

More info at novataxaide.org

Providence Community Center

2001 Vaden Drive

Fairfax, VA 22031

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays: 9:30 am to 1:00 pm

See novataxaide.org to make an appointment

Email: providencetaxaide@gmail.com

Herndon Fortnightly Library

768 Center Street

Herndon, VA 20170

Mondays: 4 pm - 8 pm Wednesdays: 12 pm - 4 pm

Saturdays: 10 am - 2 pm

Appointments recommended. See novataxaide.org

Reston Community Center

2310 Colts Neck Road

Reston, VA 20191

Tuesdays: 9 am to 2 pm Thursdays: 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Saturdays: 9 am to 3 pm

Appointments and walk-ins. More info at novataxaide.org

Bull Run Regional Library

8051 Ashton Av

Manassas, VA20109

Mondays and Wednesdays: 10 am to 5

Saturdays: 10 am - 3:30 pm (Closed April 8)

Walk-ins only

Chinn Park Regional Library

13065 Chinn Park Drive

Woodbridge, VA 22192

Open February 7 - April 13

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 10 am - 3 pm

Also Saturdays, Feb 25, March 11 and March 25: 10 - 3

By Appointment Only - See novataxaide.org

Car Seat Inspections at West Springfield Police Station on January 28^th

Come by the West Springfield Police Station to get your car seat inspected on Saturday, January 28, 2023, between 10:00AM-2:00PM (6140 Rolling Rd, Springfield, VA)! No appointment needed. Car seats will be inspected on a first come, first served basis. When you arrive, come into the lobby and they will give further directions.

Be sure to install the child safety seat yourself, so the inspection can be performed. The seat will be properly re-installed if necessary, and you will learn how to install the seat properly in the future. If you have any questions, please reach out to MPO Tony Capizzi at 703-277-2363 or Anthony.capizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov.

They also have car seat inspections, by appointment, every Tuesday from 5:00PM-8:00PM. Please call the station at 703-644-7377 and press zero to make an appointment on those days.

Dog Licenses Due on January 31^st through PetData

Dog licenses are due Jan. 31, and every dog four months or older must be licensed.

There are three ways to apply or renew your license: online, by mail or in person.

The annual license costs $10 per dog, and payments by check, money order or cash are free. Renew or apply online or by mail through Petdata, the company that now provides all dog licensing services for the county. Visit www.petdata.com/fairfax

To renew or apply in person, visit the Fairfax County Government Center or Animal Shelter during the hours they’re open.

For more information or questions, call PetData toll-free at 1-888-556-2906 or contact them online.

Fairfax Connector Service Changes Effective February 4^th; New Route 660 Begins February 6^th

Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) announces Fairfax Connector service changes that will go into effect on February 4, 2023, including a new route that provides weekday, rush-hour service on I-66 Express Lanes. New Route 660 replaces Route 644 and offers service from the Stone Road Park and Ride in Centreville to Tysons Metrorail Station, with stops at the Fairfax County Government Center and the Vienna Metrorail Station. The service changes also include minor service adjustments on Routes 937 and 951.

Service Changes that Go into Effect February 4, 2023

Route 644: This route will be eliminated and replaced with new Route 660.
Route 660: Centreville (Stone Road) Park & Ride - Tysons – This new route will provide weekday service on I-66 Express Lanes between Centreville's Stone Road Park & Ride and Tysons Metrorail Station, via the Fairfax County Government Center and Vienna Metrorail Station and will operate bi-directionally every 10-minutes during the morning and evening rush hour.
Route 937: Coppermine-Elden-Herndon Metrorail Station - Southbound service on Route 937 will be realigned to serve Coppermine Rd, with a left turn to Frying Pan Rd. Northbound Route 937 remains unchanged.
Route 951: Wiehle-Reston East Metro to Innovation Center Metrorail Station- Eastbound service realigned to serve Coppermine Rd, with left turn to Frying Pan Rd. Westbound remains unchanged.

Dementia Friends Information Session on February 8^th

Dementia Friendly Fairfax is hosting an Information Session to describe key messages about dementia, effective strategies for communication with a person with dementia and resources to assist caregivers. This is a free session that is open to the community, with more information on registration via https://bit.ly/DementiaFriendlyFairfax.

This initiative is through a partnership with Goodwin House, Insight Memory Care Center and Fairfax Area Commission on Aging and Fairfax Area Agency on Aging.

Springfield@fairfaxcounty.gov

Office

(703) 451-8873

Website

fairfaxcounty.gov/springfield

Sports Tourism Task Force

Four-Legged Friend

Despacito is a young, energetic girl who would love to be your adventure buddy. She enjoys physical and mental activity that keep her active and entertained. With some training, structure, and lots of exercise to tire her out, she should easily settle into her new home and reward your patience and attention with lots of love. If you would like to meet Despacito, click here to arrange a visit.

Pat Herrity

6140 Rolling Road,

Springfield, VA 22152

(703) 451-8873