Adding police presence to high-crime areas, putting more cops in communities and strategically placing mobile camera units are just a few of the initial strategies that the Alexandria Police Department is employing to confront a crime surge.
APD Assistant Chief Easton McDonald briefed City Council on the uptick on Tuesday night, and also said that there is an increase in juvenile crime and crimes being committed by young people.
“There is an uptick with juveniles,” McDonald told Council. “From April 1 to April 23, there have been approximately 27 encounters with juveniles that have either been charged with illegal weapons possession, drugs with the intent to sell, grand larceny of a vehicle where we had four juveniles that (allegedly) stole a vehicle, fled from the vehicle, and there was a weapon inside the vehicle.”
APD reported 11 shooting incidents this month, including three incidents on Monday, April 17. On that day, a clerk at a 7-Eleven was shot in a robbery in the early morning, followed by a shooting in the 1200 block of Madison Street near the Braddock Road Metro station, and then a shooting near a bus stop at the Bradlee Shopping Center. Three males, ages 17, 18, and 19, were arrested in connection to the Old Town incident and an 18-year-old male suspended from Alexandria City High School was arrested for the shooting at Bradlee, McDonald told Council.
McDonald said APD is forming a new community safety stakeholder group made up of local residents and officials to develop solutions, including outreach regarding available youth programs. The stakeholder group is yet to be named and will meet next month at APD headquarters, McDonald said.
“A weapon should not be in the hands of a teenager,” he said. “They should not be held in bookbags, so the stakeholder group is to get back into the communities to let these individuals know that this is not going to be tolerated. This is not something that can continue, and the (city’s) federal partners are going to deal with those individuals who are felons with guns. And we are arresting felons with guns.”
APD is increasing its presence in high-crime areas, such as the West End and Braddock areas, and plans on returning officers to specific beats, McDonald said. The department will also participate in numerous community cookouts and weekly walks through neighborhoods experiencing crime.
“We plan on working with the community to stop this,” McDonald said. “The goal is to reduce this gun violence.”
Mayor Justin Wilson said that APD can be more aggressive around serving warrants.
“We can be more aggressive around warrant service and things like that, where we’re getting out there and going to find people who we know are in the community that we’re looking for and devoting resources to try and to address some of those things,” he said. “If we can get people off the streets that shouldn’t be on the streets who are at risk of committing crimes, I think that’s always going to be a positive.”
Vice Mayor Amy Jackson said that a recent shooting outside a bus stop in the Bradlee Shopping Center brought back bad memories of last year’s murder of 18-year-old Luis Mejia Hernandez in that same shopping center. Jackson said she’s concerned that Alexandria City High School kids will be congregating at the shopping center in greater numbers in the next couple of weeks as they take their Standards Of Learning (SOL) tests.
“The uptick in crime is a major thing,” Jackson said. “We’re coming up on SOL (Standards Of Learning tests) season. SOL means, if the community is not aware, some kids are in school for a couple hours during the day and then they’re in their classrooms and watching movies and studying for other SOL tests. But most of them will be released and they will not get on yellow buses to go home from the schools. They will get on DASH buses that are free fare. What is the plan for Bradlee, because that is happening in the next two weeks?”
McDonald tried to put the three shooting incidents on April 17 into context by saying that APD responds to 400-to-600 calls for service daily.
“The children have an absolute right to walk into those stores and be in those particular areas,” McDonald said. “We are there. Our presence does prevent crime. There’s always going to be a case where that doesn’t work, but we will be there as fast as we can to mitigate what happens.”
A number of shooting incidents occur in the 1200 block of Madison Street in the Braddock neighborhood, in a property managed by the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority. On April 21, there was another shooting on that same block, prompting Wilson to announce the addition of cameras and police foot patrols to the area.
As previously reported, an ARHA resident told ALXnow that he fears for his son’s life.
“I been here three years next month, and counting today I’ve heard at least 160 gunshots,” the man said. “It’s a lot, man. Right outside my back door. I have a four year old son and I had to train him to run upstairs and duck. I’m glad he’s in school right now. I feel like we’re sitting ducks. Something’s got to be done. I’m trying to get out of here. Nobody should have to live like this.”
Kevin Harris is an ARHA board member, and said he’s happy about the plan by APD.
“I’m happy about the measures the city is taking to mitigate violence and crime throughout the city,” Harris said. “Also, I’m pleased with the measures that the residents of the ARHA in partnership with the organization as a whole have been taking for years to keep our kids and families safe. It’s a grave miscalculation and misunderstanding to think that the families of ARHA’s communities are unconcerned or participants in these acts of violence in their communities. These families are just as concerned as their neighbors.”
After a crime wave in 2020, that fall ARHA’s safety committee made the following recommendations to the police department to reduce crime incidents. Many of the recommendations are in line with APDs current strategy to reduce crime.
- Increase police presence in high crime areas by stationing officers in cars in areas that are known for a high volume of loitering to deter criminal activity (specifically for its Samuel Madden, Cameron Valley, and Andrew Adkins properties)
- Increase presence by random community walks multiple times per week (specifically Samuel Madden, Cameron Valley, and Andrew Adkins)
- Increase positive community engagement such as events for the youth, neighborhood educational workshops (knowing your rights, tips on police engagement, how broken laws affect the community), etc. to build a positive rapport with the community
- Improve community relations by door knocking and having informal “meet and greets” with people in the community
- Meet with the Safety Committee and provide training and insight on how to report a crime (develop a special way for safety committee members to contact law enforcement)
- Create a standing monthly meeting between the Chief of Police and the Chairman of the Safety Committee and/or the leaders of the Safety Committee
- Create a police liaison who will act as a bridge between the Safety Committee and APD
- Enforce disturbing of the peace after certain hours to limit the late-night partying and drinking that could lead to violence and crime
- Provide diversity training for officers with the intent and purpose for them to learn how to police different demographics
- Reevaluate tactics for obtaining crime tips (never approach people at home, meet privately away from the community, and create and/or educate people on a discreet way for people to report crimes)
- Be more responsive to calls directly from ARHA communities
- Create a means to hold Resident Police Officers accountable for properly policing their assigned communities
- Create a Citizen’s Police Review Board with representation from various communities throughout the City of Alexandria with at least one representative from the Safety Committee appointed on the board. Sincerely, Loren Depina, Chairperson of the ARHA Resident Association Safety Committee
(Updated 1:30 p.m.) No suspects were arrested after two related incidents of gunfire from a chase between two vehicles in the West End last Saturday night (April 15).
The first incident occurred at 7:58 p.m. at Braddock Road and North Van Dorn Street, in the underpass below Interstate 395. Police said on the scanner that a black SUV was involved in a gunfight with another vehicle.
Nine minutes later, at 8:07 p.m., the same vehicles were observed firing at each other again — this time three miles away and in front of the U.S. Post Office at 2226 Duke Street.
Alexandria Police said that it’s likely that the incidents are related, and that no injuries were reported.
“Currently this incident is an active investigation, so there is limited information available however there were two different locations with weapon violations, and no injuries were reported in connection with this incident and no vehicles to recover,” APD spokesman Marcel Bassett told ALXnow. “There is reason to believe that both shots fired incidents are related.”
There were a number of gunfire-related incidents this week in Alexandria, with three incidents reported on Monday, April 19. On Tuesday, Police Chief Don Hayes that patrols through violent areas will increase and that the department will work to reduce crime with community events.
Anyone with information on Saturday’s incidents can contact the Alexandria Police Department non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Notification:: In response to two shots fired incidents there are temporary road closures near and around Duke and Dove Street, as well as North Van Dorn Street and Braddock Road. No injuries were reported in connection with these incidents. APD is investigating. pic.twitter.com/5CE6tdI1BI
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) April 16, 2023
Image via Google Maps
Four male juveniles were arrested after a brief chase from a stolen car in the West End on Tuesday afternoon, prompting four schools to go on lockdown, according to the Alexandria Police Department.
The incident occurred at around noon near the 1400 block of N. Beauregard Street. Police recovered a handgun from one of the suspects, according to dispatch reports.
“While conducting the traffic stop, all individuals from the vehicle fled,” APD said in a release. “Additional Officers were dispatched to the area to locate the suspects. During the search, APD Officers found four juvenile male suspects and took them into custody. APD recovered one weapon.”
The charges against the minors include drug possession with intent to sale, a concealed weapons charge, illegal weapons possession, and other weapon offenses, according to APD.
Anyone with information about this incident can call the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
The incident prompted four nearby schools to go into “secure the building” mode. Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School (1701 N. Beauregard Street), William Ramsay Elementary School (5700 Sanger Avenue), John Adams Elementary School (5651 Rayburn Avenue) and the Early Childhood Center (5651 Rayburn Avenue) went into “secure the building” from 12:15 to 12:35 p.m.
On Monday afternoon, three juveniles were arrested after an estimated 40 shots were fired. The shots were fired in an alleyway in the 1200 block of Madison Street, a block away from the Braddock Road Metro station, and no one was injured. Also that day, shots were fired at a Bradlee Shopping Center bus stop, which is near Alexandria City High School.
News Release:: The Alexandria Police Department Makes Arrest in Stolen Auto Case
On Tuesday, April 18, APD Officers attempted to make a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle from Fairfax County near the 1400 block of N. Beauregard Street.
Read more : https://t.co/OjySFEPAsi
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) April 20, 2023
Image via Google Maps
Yesterday afternoon, Alexandria Police Chief Don Hayes and his staff walked through an Old Town neighborhood that was a crime scene on Monday.
“I’m here to reassure people that this will happen, but that this is still a safe neighborhood,” Hayes told ALXnow. “I just walk around in the neighborhoods knock on doors, talk to people. Sometimes it can last three or four hours.”
Alexandria’s gun-related crime surged 100% in 2022. Police recently unveiled a plan to install gunshot detection systems throughout the city, although the action needs City Council approval and is planned for next year’s budget. For now, the Alexandria Police Department’s short-term answer to rising crime is to increase police patrols and getting officers in neighborhoods with community cookouts.
There were multiple incidents of gunfire over the weekend, with three incidents on Monday alone. In the area Hayes visited on Monday, three juveniles were arrested after an estimated 40 shots were fired. The shots were fired in an alleyway in the 1200 block of Madison Street, a block away from the Braddock Road Metro station, and no one was injured. Earlier Monday, at 2 a.m., a 7-Eleven clerk was shot in the leg in a robbery. Later in the day, shots were fired at the Bradlee Shopping Center.
“I don’t walk around here at night anymore,” said a resident who lives near to where the shots were fired Monday. “I find myself on my guard all the time, and I’m on high-alert all the time. I read the news and I keep aware of my surroundings.”
City Manager Jim Parajon stopped by to hear what Hayes had to say.
“It’s tough,” Parajon said. “I mean, we’re seeing a rise in gun violence across the country.”
Hayes also plans to keep walking through communities affected by crime every week to talk with residents.
APD will also host 10 upcoming community cookouts, which are sponsored by a number of nonprofits and city agencies. The following cookouts will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m:
- Tuesday, April 25, at Ruby Tucker Family Center
- Thursday, April 27, at Princess Square in Old Town
- Tuesday, May 2, at the Shoppes at Foxchase
- Friday May 5, at Casa Chirilagua
- Tuesday, May 9, at Brent Place Apartments
- Thursday, May 11, at Southern Towers apartments
- Tuesday, May 16, at Hillwood Condominiums
- Thursday, May 18, at the South Port Apartments
- Tuesday May 23, at Andrew Adkins Housing
- Thursday, May 25, at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center field
A 58-year-old Alexandria man suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being shot in the hallway of a Landmark area apartment building early Thursday night, according to the Alexandria Police Department.
Police said the incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. on the ninth floor of an apartment building in the 300 block of S. Reynolds Street.
Dispatchers responded to a man shot in the arm who suffered “serious but non-life threatening injuries,” APD tweeted.
No suspects have been arrested in connection to the shooting, and the investigation remains active, APD told ALXnow.
The incident occurred near to where a man was murdered last month.
Anyone with information on the incident can call the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Notification:: In response to a shooting, there is a heavy police presence in the 300 block of South Reynolds Street. One person suffered a serious but non-life-threatening injury and was transported to the hospital. APD is on scene and investigating. pic.twitter.com/DFfPitccx5
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) April 13, 2023
Map via Google Maps
No one was injured after robbers fired a gun and stole a cash register inside the 7-Eleven at 800 Franklin Street in Old Town, according to the Alexandria Police Department.
The incident occurred just after midnight today (April 12). Police were dispatched to the store for a report of the theft and a single gunshot inside the store. The suspects reportedly fled the area in a black SUV.
Anyone with information on the robbery can call the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Notification:: In response to a shots fired incident/commercial robbery, there is a heavy police presence in and around the 800 block of Franklin Street. No injuries were reported in connection with this incident. APD is on the scene and investigating. pic.twitter.com/y4QQchu0EO
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) April 12, 2023
via Google Maps
No injuries were reported after shots were fired in the West End on Monday night.
The incident occurred at around 9:45 p.m. in a residential area near the intersection of Ascot Court and Sanger Avenue, which is a block away from N. Beauregard Street. No arrest was made.
There were two unrelated gunfire incidents near to where this incident occurred within the last two weeks.
- Gunfire outside the 7-Eleven convenience store at 6464 Lincolnia Road on Thursday, March 30
- A man was seriously injured by gunfire in the 400 block of N. Armistead Street on Saturday, March 18
Anyone with information on these incidents can call the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Notification:: In response to a shots fired call for service, there is a moderate police presence in and near the intersections of Ascot Court and Sanger Avenue. No injuries or property damage were reported in connection with this incident. APD is on scene and investigating. pic.twitter.com/QRK4Y4467B
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) April 4, 2023
Map via Google Maps
No arrests were made after gunshots were reported in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven convenience store at 6464 Lincolnia Road on Thursday afternoon.
No one was injured after the incident, which occurred at around 4:45 p.m. The building was not struck and no one was injured, store staff confirmed to ALXnow.
Alexandria Police were dispatched to the area to search for a silver Honda, which fled the area at high speed.
Anyone with information on this incident can call the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Notification:: In response to a shots fired incident, there is a moderate police presence in and near the 6100 block of Lincolnia Road. No injuries or property damage reported in connection to this incident. APD is on scene and investigating. pic.twitter.com/rGJYt6biKh
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) March 30, 2023
Map via Google Maps
A delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint in Alexandria’s West End on Friday night.
The incident occurred in a residential area at around 10:50 p.m., and the male driver was not injured, according to police.
APD was dispatched to the scene after the victim reported that two male suspects wearing dark clothing and face masks robbed him of food and cash. The driver was not injured in the incident, and no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information on this incident can call the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Notification:: In response to a robbery from a person there is a moderate police presence in and around the 4200 block of Duke Street. No injuries were reported in connection with this incident. APD is on scene and investigating. pic.twitter.com/EBEfiYhCba
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) April 1, 2023
Map via Google Maps
No one was injured or arrested after a report of gunfire in Old Town on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at around 5:25 p.m. in the 600 block of S. Fayette Street, which is near Alexandria National Cemetery.
Police received multiple emergency calls of one shot fired, and two suspects allegedly fleeing the scene. APD reportedly recovered a discarded rifle and live rounds, although would not comment on the recovery.
The incident remains under investigation, and anyone with can call the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Notification:: In response to a shots fired incident, there is a heavy police presence in and around the 600 block of South Fayette Street. APD is on scene and investigating. No injuries have been reported in connection to this incident. pic.twitter.com/N4J7uaRnlE
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) March 28, 2023