A water main break erupted like a geyser in the West End Wednesday morning , and Virginia American Water says that it will be repaired by 5 p.m.
The water main break was reported just after 4:30 a.m. in the 200 block of South Whiting Street, and police advised residents to steer clear of the area.
Alexandria to Get Johnson & Johnson Vaccines Next Week — On Saturday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. Adding a third vaccine to Alexandria’s pandemic response is significant and will ultimately mean that more vaccines are available to protect more people… Johnson & Johnson vaccines will become available in Alexandra starting later this week.” [City of Alexandria]
Beyer, Kaine Introduce ‘The Cost of Police Misconduct Act’ — “Most Americans have no idea how much cities and counties they live in spend on police misconduct because cases are often settled in secret. The Cost of Police Misconduct Act would make these costs public, which we hope and believe would help save lives.” [Twitter]
No injuries are reported after a two-car collision in Old Town, as southbound Route 1 (N. Henry Street) is shut down at the intersection of Wythe Street.
Alexandria Police told ALXnow that the incident occurred at around 3:25 p.m. and the roadway has been closed temporarily for tow trucks to clear the scene.
(Updated 4 p.m.) On person has been arrested for a Fast and Furious-style illegal street race on I-495 near Telegraph Road this weekend.
According to a press release, the police became first aware of the incident on Saturday around 11:15 p.m. when an officer on patrol heard loud exhaust sounds from I-495.
Police Provide Guidance on Indecent Exposures in Del Ray — “The Police department encourages anyone who is a victim or witnessed these incidents to call 9-1-1. If you live in the neighborhood, please review your security cameras and call police if there is suspicious activity.” [City of Alexandria]
City Hall Walk-in Payment Hours Expanded — “Beginning Monday, March 1, in-person services are now available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.” [City of Alexandria]
Alexandria Police are continuing to investigate a series of indecent exposure incidents in Del Ray since last year.
The most recent incident took place on Jan. 21 between 6 and 6:30 a.m. in the area of E. Alexandria and E. Glendale Avenues. A Black male in his 20s or 30s was seen masturbating in the driveway of a home. Police were called and a K9 was used in tracking the suspect. The K9 lost the scent in an alleyway, according to sources.
Half of Alexandria Police detectives have been teleworking from home for nine out of the last 11 months, and a department spokesperson says that it will stay that way until it is safe to work out of police headquarters.
A significant portion of Alexandria police teleworked in the initial months of the pandemic. The practice was questioned by the City Council last May, however, while patrol officers went back out on the streets, half of detectives stayed home until September, when plexiglass shields and other safety measures were implemented at police headquarters.
Volunteers Needed to Unload 40K Pounds of Food for Five Food Pantries — “Getting this food is a huge opportunity and we are excited to provide love and security to families in our neighborhood. Thank you for your help!” [Zebra]
Juvenile Robbed of Phone in West End — “The Alexandria Police Dept is investigating a robbery from a person in the 1400 blk of N. Beauregard St. A juvenile female had her cellphone stolen by a group of juvenile males. No injuries reported. Expect police activity in the area.” [Twitter]
Alexandria Police are remembering one of their own. Albert Augustine Beverly, the first-ever Black police officer in Alexandria, died this time last year on Feb. 21, 2020.
The 78-year-old Beverly was born in King George’s County on August 23, 1941. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he joined the Alexandria Police Department in 1965. He continued his law enforcement career at the Naval Surface Warfare Center.
It was a cold and snowy week in Alexandria.
Our top story this week was on plans to redevelop the GenOn power plant in Old Town North. It looks like deconstruction of the plant will start in 2023 and developers are looking at converting it into an urban, mixed-use property with housing.
Alexandria Police are investigating the second car stolen this month from a gas station — while the owner is pumping gas. The most recent incident occurred at around 9 a.m. Thursday morning at a gas station in the 2300 block of Richmond Highway in Crystal City.
“The victim had just finished pumping gas when the vehicle was stolen around 9:30 this morning,” according to Alexandria Police. “The suspect accessed the vehicle through an unlocked door.”
