Arlington’s police chief is seeking to free up funding for about half of all officer positions that are currently frozen, capitalizing on a surge in job applications.
Chief Andy Penn argues that more funding could help the Arlington County Police Department get closer to full staffing and significantly cut overtime costs. He is asking the County Board to consider unfreezing 20 full-time sworn officer positions in the coming fiscal year.
The Walk for Peace route through Arlington has been revealed as police prepare for the Buddhist monks’ arrival near the end of their 2,300-mile journey.
The monks are expected to arrive in Arlington in the early afternoon on Monday, Feb. 9 and depart for their end destination in D.C. the following day.
Crime is on track to drop in Arlington this year, reversing a trend of increasing criminal incidents over the past several years.
Total reported offenses are down about 4% compared to this time in 2024, according to preliminary numbers in the Arlington County Police Department’s crime data hub.
Neighborhood leaders have mixed reviews of the county’s stepped-up code-enforcement efforts in the Clarendon area.
On the positive side, the effort “has really made things a whole lot better for the neighborhood,” said Andy Rude, president of the Lyon Village Citizens Association.
The Arlington County Board is scheduled to take up numerous items this month, including the financial impact of new public safety contracts, a proposed office-to-residential conversion project and closing out the fiscal year 2025 budget.
Potentially the most controversial item on the agenda could come during the Tuesday, Nov. 18 recess meeting, when Board members decide whether to move forward with a working group to consider changes to Arlington’s 93-year-old governance structure.
Some public-safety heroes walk on two legs while others walk on four, Sheriff Jose Quiroz noted as Arlington County Crime Solvers saluted the 13 K9 teams serving with local agencies.
Each of the dogs and their handlers at the Arlington County Police Department and Arlington County Sheriff’s Office have received specialized training to meet a range of challenges in an urban environment. As such, they are collectively deserving of the “Officer of the Year” award, Crime Solvers president Andres Tobar said.
Should Arlington Public Schools bring back school resource officers? Candidates running for School Board have starkly different opinions.
School Board candidate James “Vell” Rives IV used the Sept. 2 Arlington County Civic Federation candidate forum to press for a return of resource officers, known as SROs, which were removed from county schools four years ago.
The Arlington County Police Department has been expanding recruitment efforts with new digital advertising and outreach, although departures from the force continue to hinder staffing.
Earlier this year, ACPD launched a new recruitment website and dedicated recruitment social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram, department spokesperson Ashley Savage told ARLnow.
Live music, cookouts and other festivities are coming to neighborhoods around Arlington next week in an annual partnership with the Arlington County Police Department.
National Night Out, an event where police officers attend outdoor, community-building events in neighborhoods around their jurisdiction, is next Tuesday.
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce saluted public safety responses to this winter’s deadly mid-air crash over the Potomac River at an event last week.
A special Excellence Award was bestowed on the Arlington County Police Department, Arlington County Fire Department, Arlington County Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for their efforts at the scene of the crash.
Crime continued to increase in Arlington last year, according to police department stats, with notable upticks in reported assaults and shoplifting incidents.
The overall number of more serious “Group A” offenses increased 11% between 2023 and 2024, according to the Arlington County Police Department’s annual report released today (Tuesday).
Cherrydale residents appear to have finally gotten county leaders’ attention about issues with traffic, parking and vehicle noise in their neighborhood.
Now, they’re waiting to see whether these concerns will be addressed.
