police | ARLnow.com

ACPD Reports More Complaints, Increased Use of Force in 2019

Published June 8, 2020 at 3:55PM | Updated June 8, 2020 at 4:39PM

Arlington County Police cars (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 4:35 p.m.) With the nation’s attention turned to police misconduct following the murder of George Floyd and the mass protests that have followed, a recent report details an uptrend in use of force by and complaints against the Arlington County Police Department.

The 2019 Annual Report from ACPD’s Office of Professional Responsibility says that complaints against police personnel rose 55% between 2018 and 2019, after falling for at least three straight years. Reported use of force incidents rose 72% during the same time period.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 8, 2020 at 7:30AM

Petition for Intersection Improvements — “Last Friday, our life turned upside down when a car traveling upward of 40-50 mph mowed down our 10-year old daughter and puppy… We would like to see three simple measures put in place at each of these intersections – (1) stop signs, (2) crosswalk stripes on the asphalt and (3) curb extensions or mini-circles if deemed appropriate/necessary by County traffic experts.” [Change.org]

County: Support Civil Rights By Taking Census — “Census data on both race and origin are used to ensure civil rights protections including voting rights and fair housing. The data are also used to address employment discrimination, provide language services and fund schools, as well as many other programs and services.” [Arlington County]

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Arlington Police Talk Review Panels and Body Cameras

By Vernon Miles

Published June 5, 2020 at 3:15PM | Updated June 8, 2020 at 3:40PM

(Updated 6/8/20) Arlington County police leaders defended the department’s record in an interview with local Black Lives Matter organizer Yolande Kwinana‎ Thursday evening.

The ACPD brass discussed ways the department can make progress towards reform and some areas where the department has hit stumbling blocks during the course of the livestreamed discussion But the interview started with officials defending the shooting of Alfredo Rials-Torres and talking about areas the department can improve.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 5, 2020 at 7:30AM

Arlington Riot Cops Sued by ACLU — “Defendants John Poe 1 – 20 are officers of the Arlington County Police Department and other non-federal law enforcement officials who participated in the attack on peaceful protesters in and near Lafayette Square on June 1, 2020. They are sued in their individual capacities.” [Associated Press, Washington Post]

Washington Monument Struck By Lightning — As seen from the Crystal City / Pentagon City area, the Washington Monument took a direct lightning strike last night. [Twitter]

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 4, 2020 at 7:30AM

Black Lives Matter Live Chat with ACPD — “Yolande Kwinana will interview Chief Jay Farr and Andy Penn on the current situation regarding police brutality and what ACPD is doing to protect the Arlington African American people. I encourage Arlingtonians to send in questions during the live and in the discussion tab before the live chat.” [Facebook]

N. Va. Unemployment Rate Rises — “Northern Virginia’s unemployment rate hit 10% in April as business shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic ricocheted through the economy. A total of 163,158 Northern Virginia residents were unemployed and looking for work during the month, the Virginia Employment reported Wednesday.” [InsideNova]

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County Leaders Defend ACPD Officers Who Were Recalled from D.C. Protests

By ARLnow.com

Published June 3, 2020 at 8:45AM | Updated June 3, 2020 at 10:09AM

(Updated at 10 a.m.) Despite what you might have seen on TV, the Arlington police officers who were sent to assist the response to protests in D.C. conducted themselves professionally, county leaders say.

In a half-hour phone interview with ARLnow, Police Chief M. Jay Farr, County Board Chair Libby Garvey and County Manager Mark Schwartz discussed the decision to send officers to help U.S. Park Police in D.C., and the subsequent decision to bring them back to Arlington — which is facing criticism from the local police association.

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Black Lives Matter Protest Underway in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published June 2, 2020 at 3:35PM | Updated June 2, 2020 at 4:35PM

Black Lives Matter protest that marched from Ballston to Clarendon (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 3:50 p.m.) Hundreds of protesters marched from Ballston to the Clarendon Metro station Tuesday afternoon, a peaceful demonstration in memory of George Floyd.

Protesters marched along Fairfax Drive, chanting “I can’t breathe,” “Black Lives Matter,” and “no justice, no peace.” They also held signs: “silence is violence,” “justice for George Floyd,” and more.

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County to Begin Regular COVID-19 Testing of Public Safety Personnel

By ARLnow.com

Published June 2, 2020 at 1:55PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:19AM

Arlington County is planning to start regular testing of public safety personnel and critical employees, ARLnow has learned.

The county has acquired a rapid testing machine, which is currently undergoing a certification process. Once its accuracy is certified, it will be used to regularly test law enforcement, fire department and emergency communications personnel, as well as public health and other critical county employees.

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Teen to Be Charged in Hit and Run That Killed Dog

By ARLnow.com

Published June 2, 2020 at 11:05AM | Updated June 2, 2020 at 12:32PM

Police behind the vehicle suspected in a hit and run that killed a dog (photo courtesy anonymous)

(Updated at 12:30 p.m.) A teenager was allegedly behind the wheel of a car that struck a 10-year-old girl and killed her dog in Arlington’s Donaldson Run neighborhood.

Police confirmed this morning that “the suspected driver has been located.”

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Car Runs into Front of Columbia Pike CVS in Apparent Burglary Attempt

By ARLnow.com

Published June 2, 2020 at 10:20AM

A car ran into the CVS near Penrose Square in an apparent burglary attempt (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The front of a CVS store along Columbia Pike was smashed overnight in what police say was a burglary attempt.

The driver of a car ran into the entrance to the store near Penrose Square, at 2601 Columbia Pike, in the wee hours of the morning. It’s unclear if anything was stolen. The vehicle was found abandoned nearby and the suspect remains at large.

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BREAKING: Arlington Officers Ordered to ‘Immediately Leave D.C.’

By ARLnow.com

Published June 1, 2020 at 9:05PM | Updated June 2, 2020 at 11:29AM

Arlington police officers moving protesters in D.C. during June 2020 incident (screenshot via @thehill/Twitter)

(Updated at 9:50 p.m.) Arlington County police officers who were assisting U.S. Park Police during protests in D.C. have been ordered “to immediately leave,” County Board Chair Libby Garvey tweeted Monday night.

Officers in ACPD helmets could be seen in photos and video (below) assisting with the forceful removal of protesters from around St. John’s Church, an action that involved the deployment of tear gas. Shortly thereafter, President Trump walked to the church and held up a bible, a move dismissed as a photo opportunity by critics and criticized as “antithetical to the teachings of Jesus” by the Episcopal bishop of Washington.

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D.C. Police Blocking Traffic from Key Bridge to Georgetown as Businesses Board Up

By ARLnow.com

Published June 1, 2020 at 8:45PM | Updated June 1, 2020 at 10:26PM

D.C. police blocking lanes on the Key Bridge Monday night (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 10:20 p.m.) With a 7 p.m. curfew and protesters marching on M Street NW, D.C. police are blocking lanes of the Key Bridge heading towards Georgetown.

Stores and restaurants are boarded up along M Street, in anticipation of another night of protests in the District.