The Alexandria Police Department has started a 60-day crime plan to focus on larcenies, specifically shoplifting.
The initiative was first announced on APD’s social media pages on April 14. That day, APD posted photos of Officer Bennie Evans visiting shops in Old Town.
“Many in our community know and appreciate Officer Bennie Evans — and right now, he’s a key part of our 60-Day Crime Reduction Plan,” APD said on Facebook. “You’ll spot Officer Evans on foot patrol along King Street, chatting with shoppers, visiting local stores, and working closely with our beloved businesses to promote retail safety and reduce shoplifting.”
It’s not exactly clear when the 60-day initiative started, and few details have trickled out on social media on how objectives are going to be achieved.
On April 15, the police department announced the arrest of a shoplifting suspect. In the announcement, APD named the suspect, provided his mugshot, and said that he was arrested by APD officers working the 60-Day Crime detail.
“Incidents of shoplifting have driven our city’s crime numbers, and larceny criminal activity can lead to more serious offenses,” APD said in the post. “This is the 60-Day Crime Plan in action, including intervention, deterrence, and prevention.”
Also on April 15, police asked for the public’s help in identifying a 7-Eleven robbery suspect. Three days later, on April 18, APD asked for the public’s help in identifying another convenience store robber.
Earlier this month, Police Chief Tarrick McGuire told ALXnow that his crime reduction strategy includes targeting repeat offenders who quickly travel in and out of Alexandria to commit crimes.
“We have multiple people that are coming in and out of our city every single day and they are repetitively committing the same criminal offenses,” McGuire said. “There are access points to our cities as it relates to the Metro. They’re going to Target, going into Potomac County, and they’re hopping on back and forth.”
Mobile camera units have also been spotted at the Potomac Yard Shopping Center, and APD cruisers have been parked outside high-profile areas with quick access to Metro, like Target (3101 Richmond Highway) and Total Wine (3901 Richmond Highway0.
Larcenies have gone up the past three consecutive years in Alexandria.
On April 19, APD put out the following crime prevention tips for business owners:
- Set up product displays that will allow customer visibility and can discourage criminality due to the likelihood of being seen.
- Ensure line of site to high value merchandise.
- Use surveillance cameras, CCTV, and security guards.
- Consider signs, locks, or barriers to products or limit access.
- Avoid leaving entry doors open to prevent quick in-and-out
- Have personnel greet each person as the enter the store to acknowledge presence.
- Check your cameras periodically to ensure they are operational.
- Use adequate lighting to promote natural surveillance.
- Make sure your employees know the APD non-emergency number 703-746-4444 to report a crime.
- Always call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.
APD communications manager Tracy Walker said in an email that no additional information on the crime reduction plan is available.
