Arlington Ahead on Housing Production — “Housing production isn’t distributed evenly around the region. The Post determined each jurisdiction’s share of the regional housing target based on anticipated household growth this decade, and found D.C., Arlington County, Falls Church and Alexandria are on track to exceed their share of the targets. But the other nine jurisdictions represented by COG are all lagging. Fairfax County, the most populous jurisdiction in the region, is on pace to build only 36 percent of its target.” [Washington Post]
School Board Forum This Weekend — “Candidate forums are scheduled for the following times and locations. [Saturday] April 13 at 9:30 a.m. — School Board forum at Busboys and Poets in Shirlington (Arlington Democrats).” [ARLnow]
Clarendon-Based Axios Mulls AI — “In the view of Jim VandeHei, the chief executive of Axios, artificial intelligence will ‘eviscerate the weak, the ordinary, the unprepared in media…’ Mr. VandeHei says the only way for media companies to survive is to focus on delivering journalistic expertise, trusted content and in-person human connection. For Axios, that translates into more live events, a membership program centered on its star journalists and an expansion of its high-end subscription newsletters.” [New York Times]
Local Dispute on National TV — The A&E show Neighborhood Wars highlighted during its most recent episode a dispute over barking dogs and late night noise in an Arlington apartment building. [A&E]
Arlington Makes ‘Real City’ List — Arlington and Alexandria are among the places on a list of U.S. localities with more than 100,000 in population where over 10% of residents take public transit to work. [Twitter]
FLOTUS in Arlington Today — From the White House: “At 11:15 AM, the First Lady will deliver remarks at the Human Rights Campaign’s ‘Equality in Action’ event in Arlington, Virginia.”
AP on Beyer’s AI Learnings — “Don Beyer’s car dealerships were among the first in the U.S. to set up a website. As a representative, the Virginia Democrat leads a bipartisan group focused on promoting fusion energy. He reads books about geometry for fun. So when questions about regulating artificial intelligence emerged, the 73-year-old Beyer took what for him seemed like an obvious step, enrolling at George Mason University to get a master’s degree in machine learning.” [Associated Press]
Water Systems Support PFAS Rule — “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final rule on per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known commonly as PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’. COG and metropolitan Washington’s water utilities support regulations based on science and research to protect human health.” [Press Release]
More Regional Transit Cooperation — From NBC4’s Adam Tuss: “Metro and @MWCOG announcing that they will bring the Metro Board and COG Board together for the first time ever. The goal is to find a way to possibly transform all transit groups across the region to become one interchangeable system.” [Twitter, DC News New, Twitter]
It’s Friday — Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected early, with chances of showers and storms lingering through the morning. Partly sunny and breezy in the afternoon with a high near 68, accompanied by a west wind of 14 to 16 mph and gusts up to 30 mph. There is a 40% chance of precipitation. Friday night’s forecast includes a chance of showers before 2am, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 49. The west wind will be around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph and a 30% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar
Two local lawmakers who spearheaded bills to limit domestic abusers’ access to firearms blasted recent vetoes of that legislation at a press conference today (Thursday).
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) last month struck down bills from State Sen. Barbara Favola and Del. Adele McClure that would have strengthened existing gun control laws around people who have physically attacked family members and romantic partners.
The Democratic legislators, who represent parts of Arlington, decried these decisions at a meeting hosted in Ballston by Doorways and the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance — two groups that additionally criticized budget amendments that shrank victim service providers’ funding by $7.4 million.
“A woman who is in a situation of domestic violence [where] a firearm is present is five times more likely to die,” Favola said. “This is a matter of life and death.”
McClure said, “I cannot possibly think of a valid reason for vetoing a bill that would close a lethal loophole and save so many lives.”
People convicted of assaulting members of their family or household are currently banned from owning guns in Virginia.
However, state law does not extend to people who have attacked romantic partners — a limit sometimes known as the “boyfriend loophole.” The law also allows people convicted of assaulting family members to hand over their firearms to a member of their household.
Youngkin argued that closing these exceptions could cause “inadvertent compromises to public safety.”
“The legislation fails to achieve its intended purpose and is unnecessary,” he said in a veto statement. “The existing legal framework addresses firearm possession in cases of domestic abuse.”
McClure, who sponsored a bill to expand state law to include dating or intimate partners, called the governor’s decision “a deadly veto.”
“It is evident that Gov. Glenn Youngkin does not trust women, he does not care to protect women and he does not have the interests of women and survivors around the Commonwealth in mind,” she said.
Favola, meanwhile, sponsored legislation that would have prevented abusers from giving their guns to people who reside in their household or who are under 21. She called it a “common-sense measure” introduced because she heard from constituents about people failing to actually surrender their firearms.
“I wanted to ensure that our current law was followed and I wanted to ensure that women and families were safe,” she said.
Both McClure and Favola intend to continue advocating for their bills in the next legislative session.
Doorways and the Action Alliance also argued in a press release that the state budget should have included more funding for agencies that serve victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and child trafficking. Federal funding for these programs has shrunk by 47.5% in the last five years, making them more reliant on state funding, according to Action Alliance Policy Director Jonathan Yglesias.
“Governor Youngkin’s decision to veto these bills and cut millions of dollars from agencies providing vital services to crime victims demonstrates just how out of touch he is with the needs of women and communities across Virginia,” Yglesias said.
Gov. Signs Vape Shop Bill — “The governor on April 5 signed HB 947, a Lopez bill giving localities the power to regulate the location of vape shops and other venues that deal in nicotine products, including a prohibition of operating within 1,000 linear feet of a school or day-care facility. There are some exceptions: Existing facilities will have their previous approvals grandfathered in, and the measure does not apply to convenience stores or gas stations.” [Gazette Leader]
Preservation Bill Becoming Law — “The measure by Del. Patrick Hope (D-Arlington) would mandate a 30-day cooling-off period before a locality issues a permit to raze or demolish any building that is, at the time, being considered for local historic status… Gov. Youngkin signed the measure yesterday. Its provisions will got into effect July 1.” [Gazette Leader]
Warmth Brings Out Workday Crowd — “It’s a nice day and the workday lunchtime in Ballston was the busiest we’ve observed since pre-pandemic years.” … “The Water Park in Crystal City today was the busiest I have seen since it opened. There were long lines, took me 30 minutes to get lunch.” [Twitter]
APS Mulls Longer Lunches — “School Board members are slated to shortly consider a change in policy-implementation procedures (known to school insiders as PIPs) that would mandate a 30-minute-or-more lunch period for students. Existing policy allows at least 20 minutes.” [Gazette Leader]
Local Political Operative Fined — “Two right-wing political operatives must pay up to $1.25 million in fines after they were found liable for launching a robocall campaign designed to keep Black New Yorkers from voting in the 2020 election, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Tuesday.” [Washington Post]
Funding Possible for Nature Centers — “Long Branch and Gulf Branch nature centers have seen restricted hours since reopening after the pandemic. Despite pleas from advocates, county staff seem immovable when it comes to agreeing to add hours back in. But there are indications that enough County Board members could step in and authorize funding to make that happen starting this summer.” [Gazette Leader]
Yet Another Pentagon City Crash — From Dave Statter: “The latest crash at Army Navy & Hayes in Pentagon City is a little different than most. It’s an east-west collision. But the reason it happened is pretty much the same.” [Twitter]
It’s Thursday — Expect showers mainly after noon, with patchy fog developing after 3pm and a high near 69. The southeast wind will blow at 9-13 mph, gusting up to 22 mph, and a 70% chance of precipitation. New precipitation amounts up to a quarter of an inch possible. Thursday night, showers and potential thunderstorms are expected. Patchy fog may occur before 2am, the low will be around 57, and southeast wind at 11-16 mph, gusting up to 25 mph. Precipitation chances are 100%, with rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch possible. [NWS]
Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar
In a bid to preserve its paper-and-ink legacy, the Falls Church News-Press plans to introduce a few changes to its business model — chief among them a website paywall.
“If my deference to a print newspaper simply doesn’t afford us the ability to continue in that mode, we’ll try something else, at least on a temporary basis,” Nick Benton, founder and editor of the more than three-decade-old publication, told ARLnow. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the paper going.”
Benton, a California native, moved to Falls Church in the late 1980s after landing a job as a White House correspondent with Executive Intelligence Review, a weekly magazine founded by American political activist Lyndon LaRouche that was known for its contentious articles and conspiracy theories.
A few years into his career, Benton saw an opportunity for a different career path. Driven by the noticeable lack of dedicated news coverage in his community, he approached the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce with a proposition: Would local businesses be interested in advertising in a nascent local newspaper?
That same year, Benton started the News-Press in March 1991.
“The first night… of the papers rolling off of that [printing] press for the first time — it was like a 16-page paper — the bell rang, things started chugging, and the paper started coming down the conveyor belt and I stood on a soapbox and shouted, ‘Let every tyrant tremble,'” he said. “That’s how we got started.”
Last month marked FCNP’s thirty-third anniversary, a milestone Benton marked by penning an editorial urging readers to pressure the city government to revive its old tradition of purchasing weekly ads.
Readers Asked to Help FCNP Efforts https://t.co/dbl9PvqfvC
— Falls Church News-Press (@fcnp) March 20, 2024
“We must confess that we, too, are skating on thin ice in these times of great trouble for local papers,” Benton wrote. “We are counting on our readers at all levels to pitch in and help. The most efficient way of doing this is through a dedication of a tiny fraction of City tax dollars going to provide a valuable public service that also helps to keep your local newspaper in business.”
A month earlier, he opined about the importance of the paper to the Little City’s ongoing development. Two months earlier, he announced a forthcoming $10month paywall for the website and a pilot program to deliver newspapers by mail, rather than dedicated delivery routes, to address these challenges.
Though he did not delve into the specifics of the financial issues, Benton emphasized they were significant.
“We have to figure out some way to raise revenue,” he told ARLnow. “We’re running mightily low.”
Despite Benton’s affirmation of the newspaper’s enduring readership, he said advertising is declining as a business model. Implementing a paywall isn’t Benton’s preferred option, but he says that without more community support, it’s one of the few remaining avenues he has left.
“I have to do it before we run out of money,” he said. “People aren’t responding to these appeals that I’ve been making about getting the city [to take out ads] — that’s the easiest way to do it because it’s coming out of their taxes, right.”
The city has since agreed to monthly ad placements, Benton says. However, the arrangement falls short of their financial needs, and in the long term, Benton hopes the paywall will allow FCNP to keep distributing a physical paper, which he argues is valuable to readers.
“I love the old phrase that says, ‘You’re never alone if you have a poet in your pocket,’ and I would apply that to newspapers,” he said. “[Newspapers] is a medium of communication. It’s almost like a physical web — a glue — that holds a community together.”
More stringent towing ordinances could be coming to Arlington as two bills targeting “predatory” practices are set to become law.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has signed off on two pieces of legislation — both backed by Arlington lawmakers — allowing Northern Virginia local governments to set tighter restrictions on tow operators. This move could allow Arlington to implement changes to its towing ordinance originally approved in 2016 but later nixed by the state legislature.
“While these bills allow for the option of local actions, Arlington County will still need to update its ordinances before they can take effect,” said county spokesman Ryan Hudson.
Arlington’s Trespass Towing Advisory Board will meet in coming months to discuss potential changes before presenting a recommendation to the Arlington County Board.
HB 959, introduced by Del. Alfonso Lopez (D), allows localities in Northern Virginia to pass “second signature” ordinances requiring towing operators to get express permission from lot owners before removing individual vehicles. It also allows these localities to regulate operators’ monitoring practices, increases penalties for bad actors and strengthens compensation for victims of unlawful tows.
The County Board previously approved a “second signature” ordinance in 2016, but the Commonwealth overrode the change before it could take effect.
Lopez said Northern Virginia faces issues with “smash and grab” practices in which tow companies monitor lots with unclear signage, then immediately summon tow trucks if someone parks in the wrong spot. He referred to instances of vehicles getting towed with children inside or while drivers are dropping off food.
“One issue seems to unite the residents of Northern Virginia across party lines more than
any other: the intense level of frustration about predatory towing,” Lopez said. “After years of work, we are thankful that this common sense measure has been signed that empowers localities to address the challenges they face with predatory towing.”
GREAT NEWS! My bill was signed to finally address what’s become an ostensibly legalized predatory towing system in NOVA. It ensures that every part of Virginia uses the SAME rules when allowing localities to address predatory towing. It brings back equity & an even playing field. pic.twitter.com/MrK7dINfBs
— Alfonso Lopez (@Lopez4VA) April 8, 2024
HB 1287, meanwhile, allows Northern Virginia localities to pass ordinances requiring permits for all towing companies. Previously, the region’s localities could only require permitting for companies that towed within their jurisdiction but stored vehicles outside of it.
“I’m proud to have worked to address this concern, respond to our local leaders, and empower our communities to achieve the mutual goal of curbing predatory towing with a powerful tool in the toolbox,” said bill sponsor Del. Adele McClure (D).
My bill, HB1287, which addresses predatory towing in Planning District 8/Arlington, was signed into law.
This law finally grants our local leaders in Northern VA the authority to create a permit system for all towing companies—a powerful tool that’ll help curb predatory towing. pic.twitter.com/SEVe92yJWv
— Delegate Adele McClure (she/her) (@AdeleMcClure_) April 9, 2024
Hudson noted that HB 1287 “would allow Arlington to establish an equitable and fair system for all tow companies who operate in Arlington County.”
Both bills, which passed with near-unanimous support in the Virginia House and Senate, go into effect July 1.
County Statement on Drag Show Threat — “Arlington County and the County Board unequivocally support the LGBTQ+ community. ACPD’s swift response ensured the safety of patrons and staff, and the fortitude of Freddie and drag queen Tara Hoot allowed the show to go on… expressions of hatred and bigotry have absolutely no place in our community, and the Arlington County Board condemns these threats of violence and attempted intimidation of our community.” [Arlington County]
Eid Off for APS Students — Arlington Public Schools students are off today due to the Eid al-Fitr holiday. [Arlington Public Schools]
Warby Parker Opening — “Warby Parker, the designer vision-care provider, will be opening two new locations in Northern Virginia, one in Pentagon City on April 20 and the other in Fairfax Corner on May 4… To celebrate the grand openings, Warby Parker will feature the work of two local artists. Stephen Smith will be providing artwork for the Pentagon City location at 1100 S. Hayes St., #H03, in Arlington.” [Patch]
Another Gun Caught at DCA — “For the third time in four days, Transportation Security Administration officers stopped a passenger from bringing a handgun on a flight leaving from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. On Monday, TSA officers at an airport checkpoint were alerted by the X-ray team that the carry-on bag of a Florida woman needed a closer look. Searching the bag, agents discovered a .380 caliber handgun loaded with seven bullets, including one in the chamber.” [Patch]
Famous Eagle at DCA — “TSA officers at Reagan Airport in Arlington, Virginia, screened the famous bald eagle, Clark, whose father, Captain, was gifted to President Ronald Reagan and is credited for getting the species on the endangered list.” [Fox News]
Arlington Prosecutor Decries Bill Veto — “As current and former prosecutors, we must speak out when the actions of elected officials undermine the health and well-being of our communities. Unfortunately, the recent veto of criminal justice bills by Gov. Glenn Youngkin did just that. In total, the governor vetoed 22 bills that would have improved policing or criminal justice in Virginia.” [USA Today]
It’s Wednesday — Showers are likely before 8am, followed by mostly cloudy skies and a high near 76 with a southwest wind around 7 mph. There’s a 60% chance of rain with potential amounts less than a tenth of an inch. For Wednesday night, there’s a chance of showers before 11pm, mostly cloudy conditions, a low around 61, and a southeast wind at 3 to 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. [NWS]
Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by coworking provider Industrious. ARLnow has been based in an Industrious office for several years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked with paper. Industrious has several Metro-accessible Arlington locations to choose from.
Community input on a planned redesign of Rosslyn’s Gateway Park is kicking off this week.
The county is inviting locals to share their thoughts on the future of the park at 1300 Langston Blvd during an open house on Thursday evening.
Although Gateway Park has received upgrades including a dog park in 2021 and an outdoor coworking space in 2020, plans for the recreation area are still governed by the Rosslyn Sector Plan adopted back in 2015.
“Now, almost ten years later, the upcoming engagement provides us an opportunity to refine and update the vision for the park,” county spokesperson Jerusalem Solomon told ARLnow.
An overhaul could come much sooner than previously expected if the county approves a possible deal with the CoStar Group.
The company, which announced in February that it is moving its corporate headquarters from D.C. to Rosslyn, is offering the county $14 million to help fund a full redesign and reconstruction of Gateway Park. In exchange, it is asking the county to restrict access to the “View of D.C.” observation deck — currently a public amenity.
“Payment for CoStar’s exclusive use of the Observation Deck will be made when the County Board agrees to vacate the easement,” Solomon said. “It is currently expected to happen at the July Board meeting.”
The county currently only has funds to pay for reconstruction on the park’s east side. West side work would otherwise not be slated to begin until 2032.
An online questionnaire will follow Thursday’s open house, and more public engagement about the project is set to continue through this fall.
“Community feedback about potential themes, uses, and needs will help determine what will be included in draft designs this summer,” Solomon said.
The County Board is expected to approve a construction bid this winter, with design projected to begin in 2025 followed by construction starting in 2026.
A woman intentionally struck another woman with her car in a Clarendon parking garage yesterday during a dispute, police say.
The incident happened around noon on the 3000 block of Washington Blvd. Police say the suspect and victim “became engaged in a dispute regarding driving.”
The suspect approached the victim, banged on her car, assaulted her, and then struck her with the car while fleeing the scene, according to police.
More, below, from an Arlington County Police Department crime report.
ATTEMPTED MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2024-04080104, 3000 block of Washington Boulevard. At approximately 11:58 a.m. on April 8, police were dispatched to the report of an assault just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined the female suspect and female victim were entering a parking garage when they became engaged in a dispute regarding driving. The victim parked her vehicle during which the suspect approached her on foot, allegedly banged on her vehicle and assaulted her. The suspect then entered her vehicle and, as she was fleeing the scene, struck the victim with her vehicle. The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries. During the course of the investigation, officers identified the suspect and obtained warrants for Attempted Malicious Wounding and Assault and Battery. The investigation is ongoing.
An Arlington service provider for survivors of abuse celebrated the opening of a new, expanded headquarters last week.
Doorways hosted a ribbon cutting at the Community Services Center at 671 N. Glebe Road, a space designed around the needs of people who have experienced domestic and sexual violence. The spacious, brightly lit office in a Ballston high rise is meant to create a more comfortable environment for people seeking Doorways services, as well as the nonprofit’s employees.
“We are trying to make this as cozy and as trauma-informed as possible,” Counseling Program Manager Virginia Dominguez told ARLnow on a tour of the space.
New sound machines in the center’s counseling rooms protect clients’ privacy, while the larger office allows more staff members to work in person. The upgrade was possible thanks to a grant from Amazon, Doorways CEO Diana Ortiz said.
“This is a space that has a trauma-informed environment that will feel safe, that is promoting healing, that is promoting the dignity of our clients,” she said. “It’s a space that fosters safety, a space that inspires respect for the humanity of everyone.”
The headquarters is the latest piece of Doorways’ plans to address surging numbers of people seeking emergency shelter in Arlington.
In 2018, according to Doorways’ latest annual report, the nonprofit’s “safehousing” programs offered shelter to 58 survivors. Last year, that number had swelled to 135 people — more than half of whom were children.
Incidents of domestic violence swelled in Arlington and around the world during the pandemic amid lockdowns and strained economies, Ortiz told ARLnow.
“Survivors were isolated at home with those who harmed them, unable to access supports like friends, family members, and healthcare,” she said. “The stressors of the pandemic, including economic impacts, also escalated abuse.”
In part, demand for Doorways services increased after the worst days of the pandemic because people became more comfortable seeking services, the CEO said. But also, rising costs of living in Arlington have left many survivors with fewer and fewer places to turn.
“As Arlington becomes increasingly unaffordable, more people are on the brink of crisis — which contributes to stress factors that escalate abusive behaviors — and when crisis occurs, they need somewhere safe to go,” the CEO said.
Ortz noted that Doorways’ safe housing is for survivors who are “in imminent danger.” In 2022, 80% of adults who received emergency shelter were at “a high level of lethality risk,” according to the nonprofit’s Danger Assessment.
In response to surging needs, Doorways is in the process of expanding its footprint in Arlington.
The organization recently secured a $1.5 million federal grant to acquire a set of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments to shelter survivors of violence. It also plans to increase the capacity of its Family Home from 11 beds to 22 beds this summer.
As for the Community Services Center, Ortiz hopes the upgraded setting plays a part in connecting Arlington’s growing numbers of survivors to the services they need.
“We are very honored to continue serving the community,” she said at the ribbon cutting. “I’m very humbled to be here today in a space that really speaks to our mission.”
Flyover Planned Today — From AlertDC: “The US Military will conduct a Flyover in the NCR at the Arlington National Cemetery, on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 11:00 AM.”
Library Projects Discussed — “County library director Diane Kresh used her April 2 budget work session with County Board members to sketch out proposals for two major projects – a library for Crystal City and relocation of the Columbia Pike branch. The former seemed to have a location decided on, but that plan didn’t work out, Kresh said. She was quick to add that options actively are being explored for the Crystal City facility.” [Gazette Leader]
Rocks Thrown Through Windows — “4300 block of N. Pershing Drive/4200 block of 2nd Road N./Unit block of N. Trenton Street. At approximately 10:24 p.m. on April 6, police were dispatched to the report of destruction of property. It was determined between approximately 10:11 p.m. and 10:34 p.m., the unknown suspect(s) threw rocks at three victims’ occupied residences, causing damage to windows, before fleeing the area.” [ACPD]
Two Guns Caught at DCA — “Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport intercepted two firearms in carry-on bags at security checkpoints this past weekend. They prevented a Falls Church, Va., man from carrying his 9 mm gun loaded with 10 bullets from getting through the checkpoint on Saturday, April 6. The very next day they stopped a Leesburg, Va., man.” [Press Release]
Ranked Choice Voting Outreach — “With county voters this November having one ranked-choice election (for County Board) interspersed among the traditional winner-take-all format, things could become, well, interesting. The county’s elections-office staff spent much of last year providing outreach on the new format, but ‘we just kept speaking to what we felt like were the same 200 people,’ county elections director Gretchen Reinemeyer sighed during an April 2 budget work session with County Board members.” [Gazette Leader]
New County Sustainability Report — “The Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy (AIRE) has released its second annual ‘ACCELERATE’ report, illustrating the County’s award-winning efforts to make a more sustainable community through buildings, resilience, renewable energy, transportation, government activities, and education and behavioral change.” [Arlington County]
Nearly 150-Year-Old Local House — “Broadview is not the oldest home in Arlington, but it is a prominent landmark. The house is one of the county’s best remaining examples of Queen Anne-style architecture from the late-19th century, according to the Arlington Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB), and is one of only four such homes to have a tower. What’s more, the entire house is its own local historic district.” [Arlington Magazine]
All-Female Angel Investing Group — “7News On Your Side is highlighting equality in business — and a new partnership in Arlington County is focused on providing support to female entrepreneurs and business owners. That partnership is with Citrine Angels, a nonprofit group of angel investors. The organization is made up of 75 female investors, who invest in companies and startups created by women.” [WJLA]
Baby Squirrel on Road to Recovery — From the Animal Welfare League of Arlington: “This baby squirrel came into our Wildlife Resource Center, and though we offered him formula, all he wanted to do was nibble on this acorn! He is now safe with a rehabber who will care for him until he is old enough to be released back into the wild.” [Twitter]
Planet Fitness Threat — “Planet Fitness in Alexandria’s West End was evacuated early Saturday evening (April 6), adding to a growing number of similar threats made at locations around the country.” Asked about a possible connection to the threat at Freddie’s Beach Bar over the weekend, and ACPD spokeswoman said ‘at this time, there is no indication the incidents are related.'” [ALXnow]
It’s Tuesday — Mostly cloudy skies and temperatures reaching up to 76°F. The calm wind will shift to a southward direction at around 6 mph in the afternoon. Precipitation chances stand at 20%. For Tuesday night, rain is more likely, particularly after 8 p.m. and overnight. The sky will remain cloudy and temperatures will drop to around 59°F. South winds will continue at 6 mph with a 40% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Police are looking for a man who allegedly threatened to pull a gun on an animal control officer after being confronted over an off-leash dog.
The incident happened Saturday morning in the area of Marcey Road Park and Potomac Overlook Regional Park, in North Arlington.
No one was hurt, no gun was actually seen, and responding officers were unable to locate the suspect, according to an Arlington County police spokeswoman. More, below, from ACPD.
THREATS, 2024-04060086, 2700 block of N. Marcey Road. At approximately 9:20 a.m. on April 6, police were dispatched to the report of threats. Upon arrival, it was determined the victim, an Animal Welfare League of Arlington animal control officer, observed the suspect walking an off leash dog and engaged him in conversation, during which the suspect made an obscene gesture towards them, implied a firearm and made threatening statements. The animal control officer then left the area and called police while the suspect fled the scene. No injuries were reported and no weapon was observed. Responding officers canvassed the area for the suspect yielding negative results. The suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 6’2” wearing a red hoodie and black pants. The investigation is ongoing.
A witness told ARLnow that the man seemed irate at being asked to put his dog back on a leash, noting that off leash dogs are not uncommon at the park.
“We didn’t think anything of it until the guy with the dog yelled something and then as we passed him he turned to the Arlington [animal control] dude and said you know I have a gun on me, and put his hands down his shorts as if to threaten to pull it,” the witness said. “We guessed the [animal control] guy asked him to put his dog on leash and he freaked out. Even though all the dogs are off leash once you get onto the trails.”
The witness said he and a friend were walking in the area at the time with two children. After the threats were made, they quickly rushed the children to safety.
