January 23, 2025

Perhaps the most troubling and least discussed impact to public safety in Fairfax County and the Commonwealth of Virginia was the 2021 General Assembly session changes that removed the presumption against bail for violent offenders accused of serious crimes. Repeat violent offenders are now being released into our community where many continue to commit violent crimes, including rape and murder. In an effort to guard against what some viewed as unnecessary pretrial detention, the scales of justice have shifted too far in protecting criminals rather than protecting victims. We need to tip these scales back toward the public as each of these crimes represents a victim.

This why in 2024, I convened a Springfield Criminal Justice Advisory Board after the Board rejected one of my proposed appointees to the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Advisory Board. Since then, the Springfield Criminal Justice Advisory Board has gathered research on the negative impacts of the 2021 General Assembly bail reform legislation on public safety in Fairfax County and recommendations for walking back some of those reforms. At the last Board of Supervisors meeting, Craig Trainor, Chairman of the Springfield Criminal Justice Advisory Board shared the board's findings and recommendations which are summarized below (watch Craig’s comments here starting at the 6:50:00 mark, see the full white paper here).

Violent crime is up over 20 percent from pre-pandemic years. The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s policies and failure to adequately execute the duties of the office have significantly contributed to the release of violent criminals in our community. And the 2021 General Assembly bail changes have increased the rise in crime associated with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s reckless approach. These changes contribute to a trend of violent crimes that did not previously materialize as similar repeat violent offenders would be detained pretrial under the prior bail setting process. While Fairfax County claims to be the “safest jurisdiction of its size in the country,” the unnecessary, unjust suffering of the victims of these violent crimes necessitates that we walk back the 2021 bail changes. While there are numerous examples in Fairfax County, in the report we have limited those examples to five for illustration.

When confronted with the increased crime that resulted from recent structural changes to the criminal justice system—bail reform, post-2020 de-policing, and the rise of “social justice” prosecutors—reform activists typically pin the blame on the COVID-19 pandemic, but that talking point has been debunked. A nonpartisan study found that crime fell during the first months of the pandemic, and that trend only reversed itself because of the marked increase in drive-by shootings in cities like Chicago, not the sort of activity that naturally follows from pandemic-related fatigue.

Accordingly, the Springfield Criminal Justice Advisory Board proposes a partial rollback of the bail reform measures passed by the General Assembly in 2021. Other jurisdictions, including New York, have made similar adjustments to protect the public from crimes of violence from offenders accused of a crime while under judicial supervision. Virginia must do the same.

The changes proposed here maintain some of the reforms implemented in the 2021 legislation while addressing its deficiencies in relation to public safety. In particular, we propose allowing magistrates to place greater emphasis on assessing the risk to the public if the accused is released pretrial, which includes considering the severity of the pending charges. This narrowly tailored revision would require the judicial officer to weigh the defendant’s bond status and the severity of his charges to determine the risk he poses to the public if released. Thus, the judicial officer’s task in determining conditions of release or detention would be informed by the traditional two-fold approach used by the overwhelming majority of arraignment judges in the United States: (1) the likelihood that the defendant will appear in court when required to be there, and (2) whether he poses a risk to the public if released. The proposed changes would also lead to consistent bail determinations across Virginia, which should aspire to uniform application of its laws, rather than rely on the personal preference of the magistrate.

The Advisory Board urges Fairfax County to include these reforms as a part of its legislative efforts during the 2025 Virginia General Assembly session.

Centreville HS Basketball Game

Joined FCPD Police Chief Kevin Davis as a celebrity judge for the mini-tike dunk contest at halftime of the Centreville High School Girls basketball game against Woodgrove. There were some creative moves by these youngsters.

Stuff the Bus

Great turnout at the stuff the bus event last Saturday at the Huntsman Giant. This week the bus will be at the Union Mill Giant on Saturday the 25th from 10 – 3. Donations of food will be accepted for WFCM. Please see more information at: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/stuff-the-bus

MRF Tour

Toured American Disposal’s materials recovery facility (MRF) to see firsthand how they process what goes into your curbside recycle bins and how much is actually recycled.

German Armed Forces New Year

Joined members of the German Armed Forces Command and community leaders for the German Command's New Year’s Reception in Reston to celebrate the camaraderie and cooperation between Bundeswehr and their U.S. and Canadian partners.

Other News and Information



• Traffic Alert - 495 NEXT Big Beam Weekend
• Urgent Need for Blood Donors
• Acting Classes & Camps for Kids & Teens
• GMU’s Mental Health Services are Available
• Neighborhood Watch Training (Jan 28)
• Fairfax County 2025 Annual Human Trafficking Training (Jan 30)
• West Springfield Community Advisory Committee - Community Engagement Meeting (Feb 4)
• Lifetime Learning Institute’s Monthly Forum (Feb 5)
• Car Seat Saturday (Feb 8)

Traffic Alert for the 495 NEXT Big Beam Weekend in January

As part of the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project, crews will install five steel bridge girders spanning 295 feet in length over northbound I-495 (Capital Beltway Inner Loop) at the Dulles Corridor Interchange for a new 495 Express Lanes ramp. This work is scheduled to occur over the weekend of January 24-27, 2025, and will require major traffic impacts on northbound I-495 near Tysons and at the Dulles Corridor Interchange.

During the weekend-long operation, traffic on northbound I-495 will be reduced from six lanes (four general purpose and two express) to two lanes and shifted to the 495 Express Lanes for about a one-mile stretch near Tysons. Traffic shifts and lane reductions will be in place for approximately three miles beginning at the Route 7 interchange until just past Lewinsville Road.

Additionally, the ramp from eastbound Dulles Toll Road/Dulles Airport Access Highway to northbound I-495 and westbound Dulles Toll Road under I-495 will be closed and detoured. Work and traffic impacts will begin at 9 p.m., Friday, January 24, with all lanes and ramps reopened by 5 a.m., Monday, January 27. Work is weather dependent and will be rescheduled if necessary.

How Drivers Can Prepare:

Travelers are urged to stay away from northbound I-495 near Tysons the entire weekend of January 24-27. If travel is necessary, please choose an alternate route or plan additional time and expect delays. As always, drivers are urged to slow down, use caution and follow signed directions and detours. Enhanced police presence will be in place throughout the construction area.

To plan ahead and stay informed, travelers should:

• Sign up for alerts at 495next.vdot.virginia.gov
• Check VA 511 online at 511.vdot.virginia.gov, on the mobile app, or by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia
• Follow VDOT on social media at:
• X (formerly Twitter): @VaDOTNOVA and @VaDOT
• Facebook: VDOT NOVA District
• Nextdoor: Virginia Department of Transportation

Urgent Need for Blood Donors

Multiple traumatic incidents and other medical emergencies have left INOVA’s blood inventory for Type O blood critically low. They need all blood types, but a boost to the supply of Type O will help patients in need significantly. Call 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372) or visit inovablood.org to schedule an appointment. 

Acting Classes and Camps for Kids and Teens

The Traveling Players Ensemble have upcoming classes and camps for kids and teens for acting and theatrical performances. You can see the general information and registration via the links below:

• Acting Classes (grades 2-12)
• Winter Plays 
• Treasure Island  (grades 4-8)
• Orlando  (grades 8-12)
• Summer Camps & Conservatories 
• Day Camps @ Tysons Corner Center (grades 2-5)
• Sleepaway @ Christchurch Boarding School in VA’s Northern Neck (grades 4-12)

George Mason University’s Mental Health Services are Available

George Mason’s Center for Community Mental Health, located at 9900 Main Street, suite 400 in the City of Fairfax, provides evidence-based, accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive therapy and testing services to those in need, regardless of income. The center sees children as young as age 5, works with community members of various ages, and addresses the mental health needs of veterans.

The center’s Emotional Help Line provides FREE, anonymous, confidential support in both English (703-215-1898) and Spanish (703-914-3878). The line is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Learn more about the center at https://ccmh.gmu.edu/.

Neighborhood Watch Training on January 28^th

The West Springfield District Station (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA) will be hosting Neighborhood Watch training on Tuesday, January 28, at 6:30PM. This training is required before you may participate in the Neighborhood Watch Program.

 

You are only required to take this training once unless you would like a refresher or have questions. The meeting will be held in person at the West Springfield District Station community room. You do not need to register for this presentation. If you have any questions, contact MPO Tony Capizzi at 703-277-2363 or Anthony.capizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Fairfax County 2025 Annual Human Trafficking Training (Jan 30)

Fairfax County Government Center

Conference Rm 9/10

12000 Government Center Pkwy

Fairfax, VA 22035

1-3 p.m.

In this training, participants will learn how human trafficking is defined, how to identify and support survivors, and resources available to survivors in Fairfax County. 

Participants will hear perspectives from community service, mental health, legal, and law enforcement professionals on the current state of human trafficking locally, the intersection of human trafficking with other forms of violence, and how service providers and other allied professionals can utilize their existing knowledge and skills to address the unique needs and barriers faced by victims of human trafficking.

The training will include an interactive presentation from professionals working to address human trafficking in the community discussing how Fairfax County responds to trafficking through a multidisciplinary approach.

This training is free, but registration is required.

West Springfield Community Advisory Committee-Community Engagement Meeting (Feb 4)

The West Springfield District Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will be hosting a Community Engagement Meeting on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM. These meetings offer the community a chance to dialogue and communicate more effectively with officers of the Fairfax County Police Department 

The speaker will be 1LT Cary Petrovich of the Safety Officer Program. He will discuss how the safety officer keeps the officers and community safe. He will also be able to answer some questions. The meeting will be held IN PERSON at the West Springfield District Station, 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA. The meetings follow the Fairfax County Public School system for any weather-related cancellations.

Consider signing up for the West Springfield CAC meeting reminders, agendas, and minutes. The email address is: wscacmailbox@gmail.com . The CAC meetings are generally held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00PM (except for July and August), and all ages are welcome to attend.

If you have any questions, contact MPO Tony Capizzi at 703-277-2363.

Lifetime Learning Institute’s Monthly Forum Presentation on February 5th

The Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia, https://llinova.org/, a learning group for adults over 50, will hold its next virtual Forum on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. The speaker will be Michael Stewart whose grandfather was a warden at the infamous Alcatraz Prison, the “island of many mistakes” in San Francisco Bay. Having learned much from his grandfather’s stories, Stewart will share perspectives about the “Rock” – inmates, staff, families, escape attempts, and more. 

The Zoom program is free and open to the public by registering on the LLI website www.llinova.org, clicking on Classes and Events, and scrolling down the calendar to February 5, 2025, https://llinova.org/courses/course-event-list/#!event/2025/2/5/february-5-zoom. Those registered will receive a link to Zoom. 

This program is part of the LLI’s monthly Forum Series held the first Wednesday of each month. LLI also provides more than 130 classes, programs and excursions a year to its members. More information on membership in LLI is available on LLI's website www.llinova.org. Any questions, please e-mail LLI at admin@llinova.org.  

Car Seat Saturday (Feb 8)

Come by the West Springfield District Station to get your car seat inspected on Saturday, February 8, 2025, between 10:00AM-1:00PM (6140 Rolling Rd, Springfield, VA)! No appointment is needed. Car seats will be inspected on a first come, first served basis. When you arrive, come into the lobby and you will be given further instructions.

Be sure to install the child safety seat yourself so the inspection can be carried out. If necessary, the seat will be properly re-installed, and you will learn how to install it properly in the future. Any questions please reach out to MPO Tony Capizzi at 703-277-2363 or Anthony.capizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov . The event will follow the Fairfax County Public School system for any weather-related cancellations. 

All car seat inspections/installations will be conducted by a certified Child Passenger Safety technician.  

The station also has 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.