Co-Responder Program Needed Immediately
Two officers use tasers; one officer fires four shots, killing 26-year-old man during a mental health crisis inside his family’s McLean home.
Jasper Aaron Lynch’s twin sister wanted to help her brother who was having a mental health crisis. Three Fairfax County Police officers hoped to help, too.
Disturbing Video of Police Shooting
Police release video of police shooting death of Reston man at Springfield Town Center; chief defends officers’ actions.
Police release video of police shooting death of Reston man at Springfield Town Center; chief defends officers’ actions.
Is Your Car Worth More Than Last Year?
Probably, and the car tax owed is probably also going up.
Car value
Real Estate Tax Rate ‘Ceiling’
Lower tax rate expected, but homeowners will still pay more.
Real Estate Tax
How Safe Are Older Buildings in Fairfax County?
Supervisors address construction and maintenance concerns in the wake of the Surfside Condominium collapse in Florida.
A recertification program for older buildings does not currently exist under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, said Chairman Jeff McKay.
Police Weapons Point At Black People
Long awaited report on Use of Force includes dozens of recommendations to guide the path forward.
An independent study of Fairfax County Police Department use of force confirmed that Black people are overrepresented in use-of-force incidents by Fairfax police.
Dissenting American Horticultural Society Board Members Told to Be Silent
Nova Parks offers a second proposal to purchase River Farm from AHS.
Five members of the American Horticultural Society’s board of directors – half of the voting members of the board, they say – voiced public opposition to the proposed sale of River Farm.
Board Approves Historic Zoning for River Farm in Mount Vernon
Annenberg Foundation reasserts intent on restrictions, requirements of grant.
Signs have been posted in front of American Horticultural Society headquarters that say the property is closed to the public, said Katherine Ward, of the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens’ Associations.
Matrix, Sunlight Discussed at Fairfax County Public Safety Committee
Community, advocacy groups and police give more than 2,500 suggestions on police reform; Governor signs reform bills from special session
Police reform includes improving morale for police officers.
More Gather to Save Mount Vernon’s River Farm
Board of Supervisors offers unanimous support
The American Horticultural Society’s intent to sell historic River Farm is still sending shock waves through those who believed the property and house were preserved forever.
A Good Place for Affordable Housing in Fairfax County?
Proposal could be a step toward 5,000 unit goal.
Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw located prime real estate to create 200-250 family units of affordable housing: two parking lots of the Fairfax Government Center.
Will River Farm Be Sold?
Supervisor Dan Storck and Jeff McKay hope to preserve the property
Supervisors Dan Storck and Jeff McKay hope to save River Farm through historic designation, while the American Horticultural Society continues plans to sell one of America’s most famous houses, seeking a premium price.
U.S. Park Police Charged in Killing of McLean Resident
Family has waited for justice since November 2017 when Bijan Ghaisar was shot.
Latest: Police Officers Turn Themselves In
Gathering Hundreds of Ideas for Police Reform in Fairfax County
Public input session part of effort to create more transparency in public safety.
In retirement, Randy Sayles, former Marine, former Denver police detective, former DEA special agent undercover in the U.S., Pakistan and Brazil, won a lifetime achievement award from Fairfax County for his efforts to make this county’s police force and policies more equitable for all residents.
Prosecutor Delivers Blow in Fairfax County
Commonwealth’s Attorney says 84 additional positions are needed; 137 if the office is to prosecute traffic cases too.
The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney is in crisis, with an “unsettling lack of resources,” said Steve Descano, who was elected Commonwealth’s Attorney in 2019.
Revolutionary Measures in Police Reform in Fairfax County
Calls to 911 could be dispatched differently from the start.
Only 40% of Fairfax County Police officers are currently trained in crisis intervention techniques.
Data Proves Black People Treated Differently in Fairfax County
Arrests of Black people disproportional in every police district in the county.
Of all arrests made by police officers in the county, Black people are arrested 38.54 percent of the time. Black people are targets of police use of force 45.63 percent of the time in the county. Black people make up less than 10 percent of the population.
Use of Force Rises in 2019 in Fairfax County
Disproportionate treatment of African Americans recorded in every police district in the county.
While Black people are less than 10 percent of the Fairfax County population (9.7 percent), they are the targets for use of force by police 46.53 percent of the time.
Marijuana Decriminalized July 1 in Virginia
Will decriminalization of marijuana stop inequitable treatment for communities of color?
Who is more likely to be charged, asked Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw. An executive of a defense contractor smoking marijuana on his deck overlooking woods in Clifton or Great Falls, or the Black teen or young adult walking down Route One in Mount Vernon, or on a street in the Annandale or Culmore sections of Fairfax County?
Use of Force Rises in 2019 in Fairfax County
Disproportionate treatment of African Americans on the rise, too.
While Black people are less than 10 percent of the Fairfax County population (9.7 percent), they are the targets for use of force by police 53 percent percent of the time, 315 of 594 incidents.
‘We Can’t Wait Until 2021’ in Fairfax County
Calls for police reform intensify in the days since Fairfax County officer charged with assault for tasing man in Gum Springs.
The institution of policing dates back to the institution of slavery. “It has to be acknowledged as such. What happened 400 years ago is actually manifesting itself in practice today,” said Fairfax County Chief Equity Officer Karla Bruce.
COVID-19: Not a Fair Fight
Regional perspective: pandemic exposes health inequality leading up to discrepancies in life expectancy.
The zip codes with higher concentrations of poverty, lower education levels, and crowded housing conditions tend to have the highest rates of COVID.
Fairfax County’s Week in Coronavirus
Cornerstones Town Hall, contact tracing, contact tracing scams, moratorium on evictions for now, and more.
BACKLOGGED TESTS: Starting on June 9, the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19 data dashboard will reflect 13,000 additional tests that were backlogged. Over the next couple of days, this new information will be slowly added to the current data, which will result in an influx of results.
Fairfax County’s Week in Coronavirus
Facemasks mandatory; outdoor seating in restaurants; retail stores start to open.
“Science shows that face coverings are an effective way to prevent transmission of the virus, but wearing them is also a sign of respect. This is about doing the right thing to protect the people around us and keep everyone safe,” said Gov. Ralph Northam.
George Floyd on Our Minds
While protests spread coast to coast, and local law enforcement condemn the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis, data show that police use of force locally targets African Americans disproportionately.
Fairfax Week in Coronavirus
Fairfax County cases increase more than 1,600 in last week, and Virginia rises more than 6,000 cases as most of the state eases restrictions.
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This Week in Coronavirus in Fairfax County
Virginia surpasses 25,000 cases; Phase I being discussed while numbers of cases and deaths continue to rise.
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This Week in Coronavirus in Mount Vernon
Phase I would ease some limits on business and faith communities, and would transition the stay at home directive to a “safer at home” guideline, especially for those in vulnerable populations.
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This Week in Fairfax County in Coronavirus
U.S. has 973,000 Covid-19 Cases as of Monday, with over 50,000 deaths, while here at home we cope with business task forces, food shortages, medicaid expansion, expired licenses and more.
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Coronavirus Could Hit Families’ Finances: Seeking Paid Sick Leave for All
Don Beyer advocates for paid sick leave legislation and then self-quarantines after friend tests positive.
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Coronavirus Could Hit Families’ Finances
Millions of workers lack the sick leave that coronavirus could demand.
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Fairfax County Police Reform: More to Be Done
Five years after an officer shot and killed John Geer in Springfield, Implementation Group offers look at successful reforms, and recommends action in other areas.
$182 Million Sought for Public Safety in Fairfax County
Voters to decide bond referendum to fund improvements to fire stations, criminal justice academy, and courthouse.
Legalizing Short-Term Rentals in Fairfax County
New regulations will permit homeowners to rent out homes up to 60 days a year.
About Time or Déjà Vu at American Legion Bridge?
The Board of Supervisors pushes for Maryland to add capacity to the bridge.
Two Sides to Two and a Half Cents in Fairfax County
Supervisors to vote on proposed budget, possible real estate tax increase on May 1.
Confusion, Anger, Agenda Difficulties in Fairfax County
Public safety committee meeting focuses on ICE, without ICE at the table.
Screened-in Porch, Salute, and Unanimous Curtain Call in Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon Planning Commissioner Earl Flanagan given impromptu recognition for service.
New Vision for Richmond Highway
Revitalization plan emphasizes history, livability, environment and diversity with 18,000 new residential units and 8 million square feet of nonresidential.
Screened-in Porch, Salute, and Unanimous Curtain Call in Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon Planning Commissioner Earl Flanagan given impromptu recognition for service.
Advocates Praise Fairfax County Sheriff’s End to ICE Contract
Sheriff will no longer hold detainees for extra time.
The Conversation Begins in Fairfax County: Budgeting Words
Board prioritizes compensation for teachers and county employees.
Full Conversation Requires Money on the Table in Fairfax County
Board intends to keep options open by advertising tax increase.
Extracurriculars: Secret Sauce of Success in Fairfax County
Superintendent’s budget eliminates barrier of $50 activity fee.
New Kids in Town in Fairfax County
County executive proposes budget that fully funds schools and compensation for employees.
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