Crime Report: Smells Like a Sex Crime Edition
Arlington’s month-long streak of men seen performing lewd acts in public places continued this past weekend.
On Sunday, the loss prevention manager of a pharmacy on Columbia Pike spotted a young man masturbating in the store’s perfume aisle, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.
From this week’s Arlington County crime report.
INDECENT EXPOSURE, 04/22/12, 5000 block of S. Columbia Pike. On April 22 at 8:15 pm, an unknown male subject was seen by an employee of the store masturbating in one of the store aisles. The suspect fled the scene and is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 23-28 years old. He was wearing blue jeans and a black jacket at the time of the incident.
The rest of the crime report, after the jump.
Wilson Blvd Construction Winds Down, Next Phase in the Works
There’s been a lot of work on Wilson Boulevard in Virginia Square for months, but the second phase of a large scale renovation project is nearly complete.
The latest work involved removing a small island on N. Quincy Street and building a curb extension. Wider sidewalks and ADA compliant ramps have also been installed. Tom Hutchings, Project Manager for the Wilson Boulevard Improvement Project, explained that it’s an effort to improve pedestrian safety along a stretch of road typically considered tough to cross.
“That’s what this whole Wilson Boulevard project is about,” Hutchings said. “We’re tightening the street up and making the crossing distance shorter.”
One more curb extension needs to be installed on the opposite side of N. Quincy Street, but the existing improvements to Wilson Boulevard are already being considered successful in making the area safer.
“It has changed pedestrian behavior and we see a higher level of pedestrian activity,” Hutchings said.
The current phase is nearly complete, but there are a few things that need to still go in. The highest priority was finishing essentials like the new curbs, gutters and traffic lights. Things that don’t directly affect safety, such as Quincy Street bus shelters, street lights and trees, were viewed as a lower priority. Those have all been ordered and need to be installed.
“For the public, it’s perfectly functional, but there are elements that need to be finalized,” said Hutchings. “They should all be complete within three months, unless we have to wait until fall with the tree planting.”
This is part of the same project that brought the much awaited traffic lights to the intersection of Wilson Blvd and N. Pollard Street near Gold’s Gym. The work from N. Quincy Street to the area around the Arlington Arts Center builds off of the design of the Virginia Square Sector Plan. Work has been done in phases to coordinate with new development and engineering demands.
The final phase of the project moves down Wilson to N. 10th Street near Mario’s Pizza. Construction on that section will be extensive, so the county is working on setting up a website to give updates on the progress. The website, which is expected to be up and running in the next few weeks, also will list any upcoming traffic disruptions. However, that phase is still in the planning stages, and construction is not slated to begin for about two years.
Controversy Over Entertainment Permit for Pines of Italy
(Updated at 3:05 p.m.) Emotions escalated at yesterday’s County Board meeting when the topic turned to issuing a live entertainment permit for Pines of Italy (3111 Columbia Pike).
County staff researching the permit request had recommended the issue be deferred until the board’s September 15 meeting. That recommendation — which was approved by a unanimous vote of the Board — is supposed to give the owner time to convince the community there would not be violence or disruptive incidents like those that previously occurred on the property. Police and neighbors have expressed opposition to approving the permit.
Seven residents who live nearby showed up at the meeting to enumerate the reasons they oppose the permit. In addition to the noise, loitering and public drunkenness that all reported witnessing, a major concern is safety. Nearly all of the speakers had reported calling the police after witnessing brutal fights between club goers, some of which spill into the neighborhood.
“I’m afraid for my safety, I don’t know what’s going to come out of one of these fights,” said Melanie Myers. “I can’t even sit out in my backyard.”
It was noted that the establishment is at the end of a residential street and has a significant impact on people’s lives.
“It’s unsettling and it’s not fair,” said Amy Pasion. “It’s a residential area and we shouldn’t have to deal with this.”
Like other speakers, Pasion stated she didn’t mind the restaurant or hookah bar inside the building, but a club is too disruptive and dangerous.
Part of the controversy is the involvement of Jorge Escobar, who is currently named as the landlord. He has been involved with the property in various capacities for more than a decade, sometimes as a manager of the club.
“We’ve suffered for many years as a result of this specific location and business,” said Aristia Glinka. “And the people that are applying for this permit are linked to the problems that we’ve been having over the years.”
Escobar’s attorney testified at the meeting and promised the board that the three partners of this establishment are interested in starting anew. He expressed Escobar’s interest in working with people living in the neighborhood. However, residents claim attempts to work with him before have been unfruitful.
Bluemont Residents to Vote on Bocce Court Request
Bluemont residents will vote tonight on a petition (below) that calls for the county parks department to build and pay for a Petanque-Bocce court in the neighborhood.
The vote will take place at tonight’s Bluemont Civic Association meeting. Supporters say the court would “foster community spirit in a fun way for all ages.”
BLUEMONT PETANQUE COURT PETITION
We, the undersigned Bluemont residents, support the petition to construct a 4-meter wide and 15 meters (13’ x 50’) long Petanque-Bocce court along the Bluemont Junction Trail. At the Bluemont Civic Association (BCA) general membership meeting on April 25, 2012, this petition will be submitted to the BCA for approval. Upon approval, the petition will be forwarded to the Arlington County Parks & Recreation Department to fund design and construction. We request the BCA to create a working group to coordinate with the Parks department, and homeowners residing along the Bluemont Trail to determine the site location between N. Illinois and N. Emerson Street.
April Proclaimed ‘Donate Life Month’ at Board Meeting
(Updated at 11:50 a.m.) During yesterday’s County Board meeting, Libby Garvey read a proclamation recognizing April as Donate Life Month in Arlington.
It’s an important matter for Garvey, whose husband of 34 years died suddenly from a heart attack in 2008. Some of his tissue was donated, and Garvey says knowing he helped others in need helped her deal with the grief from his passing.
“It went to dozens of surgeries in many states across the nation and helped around 100 people… and it’s very good to know what a difference that makes,” Garvey said.
Garvey also mentioned how the relationship she developed with the Washington Regional Transplant Community helped her family “through a very difficult time.”
She then read the following proclamation on behalf of the board:
“WHEREAS nearly 2,000 people in the Washington, DC metropolitan area are currently waiting for a life saving organ transplant, and thousands more need a tissue transplant this year; and
WHEREAS every day 18 of the more than 112,000 Americans awaiting an organ transplant will die before they receive a second chance at life; and
WHEREAS, the Washington Regional Transplant Community is observing more than 25 years of educating Arlington County citizens about saying yes to donation, thereby giving the gift of live through organ, eye and tissue recovery; and
WHEREAS, Arlington County citizens can make their donation decision by either designating donation on their drivers licenses, or signing up at www.donatelifevirginia.org; and
WHEREAS, during Donate Life Month we honor our county’s eye, organ and tissue donors and their families, whose decision to share the gift of life through America’s donor program serves as a positive example for all our citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mary Hughes Hynes, Chair of the Arlington County Board, Virginia, do hereby proclaim April 2012 as DONATE LIFE MONTH in Arlington County, and urge all citizens to sign up as organ, eye and tissue donors, to inform their family of their decision, and raise awareness of the important need for organ, eye and tissue donation in our community.
Twilight Tattoo Performances Begin at Ft. Myer
Starting tonight, people living in Rosslyn may be hearing a little noise on Wednesdays during the summer. The Army is kicking off its “Twilight Tattoo” season.
The hour-long military pageants feature soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (the Old Guard) and the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” While the pageant takes place, neighbors near Ft. Myer may hear singing, music and blank cannon fire.
All performances are free and open to the public. Tonight’s performance is held at Summerall Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Pre-ceremony pageantry begins at 6:45 p.m., and the ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m.
The full list of dates and exact locations on the base can be found online.
Pike’s Taqueria Poblano Aiming for Opening Next Week
The owners of Taqueria Poblano say they’re hoping to open their new Columbia Pike location by the end of next week.
Work is still underway at the restaurant, but most of the interior — including the flooring, lighting, bar, and seating — is already in place. Hiring is apparently also still underway. A “help wanted” sign posted in the window seeks cooks, dishwashers, servers, bartenders and hosts.
The eatery – located on the ground floor of the Penrose Square development, at the corner of Columbia Pike and South Adams Street – will be the third for the local Mexican chain. The other two locations are in Alexandria (2400-B Mount Vernon Avenue) and North Arlington (2503A N. Harrison Street).
Taqueria Poblano’s menu includes various types of tacos, burritos, platters and Sunday brunch items.
Eamonn’s, the Alexandria-based fish-and-chips-and-cocktails restaurant that will be going in next to Taqueria Poblano, is not expected to open until the summer, according to a spokeswoman.
Morning Notes
Take a Walk at Lunch Today — Today, April 25, is National Walk @ Lunch Day. What’s National Walk @ Lunch Day, you ask? It’s a day that’s intended to convince Americans to get up and go on a brisk walk at lunch, as opposed to sitting around and just eating lunch at one’s desk. [CommuterPage Blog]
County Honors ‘Notable Trees’ — At the County Board meeting yesterday afternoon, Arlington County announced the nine trees that were chosen this year to be designated as “Notable Trees.” Applause greeted each announcement, which was accompanied by photos the notable trees. “Our commitment to trees is a very real sign of our care for the environment, and this program recognizes residents for being good stewards of these important natural resources,” County Board Chair Mary Hynes said in a statement. [Arlington County]
Wetlands Plan Bogged Down By Red Tape — After six months of fundraisers, parents of students at Campbell Elementary School were looking forward to building a Wetlands Learning Lab on the school’s soggy grounds. Unfortunately, the plan has been held up by numerous county and school system regulations. As a result, more privately-raised funds might be needed to complete the project. [Arlington Mercury]
Flickr pool photo by Desiree L.C.
