Author: Scott McCaffrey

A Northern Virginia native, Scott McCaffrey has four decades of reporting, editing and newsroom experience in the local area plus Florida, South Carolina and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. He spent 26 years as editor of the Sun Gazette newspaper chain. For Local News Now, he covers government and civic issues in Arlington, Fairfax County and Falls Church.

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ACPD finalizing release of police shooting footage after criticism from County Board

By Scott McCaffrey
Police officer in uniform seated at a desk in a courtroom, with a microphone nearby and a badge visible on the chest.
Police Chief Andy Penn addresses County Board members (via Arlington County/YouTube)

Arlington police expect to release footage of a fatal officer-involved shooting by Friday after sharp remarks from County Board members over the weekend.

Police Chief Andy Penn on Tuesday (Oct. 20) told County Board members that plans to release body-worn camera footage of the May 8 incident are in their final stages. Police also intend to seek public comment on a policy that will guide the handling of such incidents in the future.

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Police recruitment improving in Arlington amid hefty salary increases

By Scott McCaffrey
Police Chief Andy Penn in 2025 (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Arlington police staffing remains lower than desired but is improving, Police Chief Andy Penn said at a recent meeting.

“We’re still struggling with it,” Penn said of staff levels at the Oct. 13 Civic Federation meeting. “The good news is, hiring is up. I feel really positive about that.”

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Panel: ‘Silver tsunami’ requires updated policies, services for Arlington seniors

By Scott McCaffrey
A stock photo of an older couple on a walk (via Richard Sagredo/Unsplash)

A rapidly expanding number of seniors in Arlington may place strain on local services and require a shift in how leaders approach community needs, panelists said at a recent forum.

Advance Arlington on Oct. 14 addressed what it calls a “silver tsunami” — the rising numbers of those in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond who continue to live in Arlington during their retirement years.

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Falls Church leaders consider different tax rates for land and buildings

By Scott McCaffrey
A sign outside the city hall of Falls Church (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Falls Church city leaders are beginning to mull the implications of splitting real-estate taxes into separate rates for land and improvements.

That could fundamentally change tax bills for property owners and is not something the city should rush into, one veteran City Council member says.

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Arlington police chief emphasizes support for automated license-plate readers

By Scott McCaffrey
Utility worker in a bucket lift securing a cable to a streetlight/pole with tape, wearing a neon vest and cap against a clear blue sky.
A worker uninstalls a Flock camera at Columbia Pike Plaza on Oct. 9, 2026 (courtesy photo)

Arlington’s police chief intends to continue defending automated license-plate readers amid evolving conversations about the technology.

Despite the County Board’s recent vote to remove all Flock Safety cameras from public land in Arlington, at an Oct. 13 presentation to the Arlington County Civic Federation, Police Chief Andy Penn said that similar surveillance technology performs valuable work.

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Footage of fatal Columbia Pike police shooting still not released, frustrating County Board members

By Scott McCaffrey
Police confront Shawn Valn along Columbia Pike before he barricaded himself in the 7-Eleven on May 8, 2026 (courtesy Dave Statter/X)

A deadline to release footage of a fatal Columbia Pike police shooting came and went on Friday, prompting criticisms at this weekend’s County Board meeting.

County Manager Mark Schwartz said on Saturday that he anticipates body-worn camera footage from the May incident will be released to the public by later this week. That did not satisfy a number of County Board members and others, who had expected footage in advance of the meeting.

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Arlington seeks to expand mental health court program to some felony cases

By Scott McCaffrey
A gavel sits on the judge's bench inside an Arlington County Circuit Court courtroom (courtesy Arlington County Sheriff's Office)

County Board members took action on Saturday (Oct. 17) that could lead to expansion of a court program focused on offenders with mental illnesses.

The county is submitting a proposal to state officials for a behavioral health docket within the county’s circuit court. If approved by the Virginia Supreme Court, the post-plea program will serve some individuals charged with felony offenses who are suffering from serious mental illness or a combination of mental illness and developmental disabilities.

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County Board to consider bumping the cost of a tow from $160 to $210

By Scott McCaffrey
"Towing enforced" signage (file photo)

County Board members next month could increase fees for towing from private property from the current $160 up to $210, an increase of more than 30%.

That’s the figure recommended by county staff and the Trespass Towing Advisory Board (TTAB), but in recent years Board members have been leery of increasing rates as high as recommended.

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Arlington ranked No. 5 ‘best city for renters’ despite high rents

By Scott McCaffrey
The Hazel and Azure apartment towers at 3030 & 3130 S. Potomac Avenue (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

If you can afford to live here, Arlington is a fabulous place to rent an apartment, a new survey concludes.

The county ranked fifth nationally in the 2026 “Best Cities for Renters” ranking from Apartment List.

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Affordable housing panel struggles to deliver ‘substantive solution’

By Scott McCaffrey
Wholey Legacy Homes, an affordable housing project at 1300 N. Pierce Street (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Some affordable-housing advocates fear an advisory panel set up by the County Board earlier this year won’t deliver tangible results.

“I’m not optimistic this working group is going to come up with a substantive solution,” Housing Commission chair Kellen MacBeth said at the commission’s Oct. 8 meeting.

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Two Falls Church groups may get funding despite arts committee’s misgivings

By Scott McCaffrey
Historic Tinner Hill marker on a busy street, describing early NAACP efforts; storefronts, cars, and pedestrians in the background.
Tinner Hill historic marker (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Falls Church’s new city manager says he will propose funding for two community organizations whose requests were rejected by a local advisory committee.

The Little City CATCH Foundation had sought $5,000 for part of its New Year’s Eve WATCH Night event, while the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation sought an equal amount for its Juneteenth event, plus another $5,000 for symposiums and workshops.

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Over 400 volunteers celebrated at Arlington awards ceremony

By Scott McCaffrey
Six women in colorful outfits pose together for a photo at a community leadership event, standing in front of a blue backdrop with Volunteer Arlington and Leadership Center of Arlington logos.
The Alpha Delta Tau Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was honored at the 2026 Arlington Cares celebration (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Hundreds of volunteers with a combined total of nearly 50,000 hours of community service over the past year were saluted at a recent celebration.

The “Arlington Cares” event, sponsored by Volunteer Arlington, honored 477 local volunteers on Oct. 13.

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