police | ALXnow

Alexandrians Want Civilian Police Oversight, Divided on Scope

Published December 7, 2020 at 4:45PM

An Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

As the city government works to iron out details of a proposed civilian review panel for the Alexandria Police Department, some local voices remain divided over how much power should be given to the oversight board.

The latest Agenda: Alexandria discussion, now converted to the On the Agenda podcast, tackled the local issue with Alexandria Gazette-Packet editor Mary Kimm — who was part of a similar initiative in Fairfax County — and David Baker — who retired as Alexandria’s police chief in 2009 after a DUI arrest. The discussion was moderated by journalist and longtime Agenda Alexandria host Michael Lee Pope and Agenda: Alexandria board member Alyia Gaskins.

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Updated: Police Apprehend Suspects Who Fled Stolen Car on Duke Street

By Vernon Miles

Published December 7, 2020 at 2:50PM

Updated 2:50 p.m. — Police said the suspects have been apprehended. An earlier version of this article listed an incorrect address.

For those curious about a police helicopter is sweeping over the 2300 block of Duke Street around 1:30 p.m., police say the helicopter is assisting in the search for suspects who fled a vehicle that was flagged as stolen.

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Cars Stolen With Fake Checks in Alexandria, Suspects Selling Cars

By James Cullum

Published December 1, 2020 at 1:30PM

An Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police are investigating a scam where owners posting cars for sale on the OfferUp marketplace are having them stolen after being handed fraudulent checks.

The cars have since been found for sale by the suspects on OfferUp.

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Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published November 30, 2020 at 9:00AM

Police Investigate More Shots Fired — “The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a “shots fired” call for service in the 5400 block of Richenbacher Avenue. Expect police activity in the area.” [Twitter]

Local Businesses Hopeful for Holiday Shopping Season — “Victoria Vergason, owner of a vintage barware store, says holiday shoppers this season could make or break some small businesses. ‘[It] is a very, very critical time for small businesses to be able to make their profits and run into the next year,’ she said.” [WUSA9]

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Man Shot in Old Town, Police Increase Patrol Coverage with Spike in Shots Fired Calls

By Vernon Miles

Published November 25, 2020 at 11:30AM | Updated November 25, 2020 at 12:02PM

Alexandria police (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A 23-year-old man was shot in Old Town early Tuesday evening, as Alexandria Police continue to investigate an uptick in shots fired calls for service.

At around 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday (Nov. 24), police announced they were responding to a call for shots fired in the 1200 block of Wythe Street in Old Town — not far from a police shootout that killed one man last month.

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Police Investigate Series of Indecent Exposure Incidents in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published November 24, 2020 at 1:15PM | Updated November 24, 2020 at 4:38PM

An Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

There’s been another indecent exposure in Del Ray, this time in an alleyway in the unit block of East Bellefonte Avenue.

The incident occurred at around 6:30 a.m. on Friday, November 20. There was also another incident in the 2200 block of Mount Vernon Avenue at around 6 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, according to Del Ray activist Gayle Reuter. The police did not file a report for the Nov. 13 incident, Reuter said, as the officer told the victim who witnessed the exposure to call him if she saw the suspect again.

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New Report Outlines Scope of Body Worn Camera Program in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published November 20, 2020 at 3:45PM

For over four years, Alexandria Police have failed to get body worn cameras off the ground. A new report going to City Council this Tuesday outlines the costs and staffing issues that have played a part in that extended delay.

“Oftentimes, jurisdictions do not realize the true extent of costs to implement a program that is based on deploying technology devices,” City staff said in a report. “The belief that the costs are solely the devices and associated licensing fees leads to disastrous results when the ripple effects of that technology are felt. The proliferation of cloud-based technology solutions actually adds to the impression that the cost of the desired ‘e-widget’ is all that is needed for consideration. In few areas could the purchase of technology in one agency have a huge impact across many others the way that BWC programs do.”

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ALXnow’s Top Stories of the Week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published November 13, 2020 at 5:00PM

Voting at City Hall in Old Town, November 3, 2020 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

What a week full of news in Alexandria.

With city offices closed due to Veterans Day on Wednesday, there were still a number of big stories.

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City Urges Residents to Lock Car Doors After Spate of Local Thefts

By Vernon Miles

Published November 12, 2020 at 4:30PM

As you park at home and head inside after getting back from a flea market or cat cafe, maybe check one more time to make sure you’ve locked your car.

At a City Council meeting earlier this week, Mayor Justin Wilson said a spate of recent car thefts have mostly targeted unlocked cars.

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Alexandria Hosting Public Discussions of Race and Social Equity Work

By Vernon Miles

Published November 10, 2020 at 3:45PM | Updated November 10, 2020 at 4:20PM

The City of Alexandria is planning to host a series of meetings to discuss work being done to promote racial and social equity in the city. The discussions will culminate with a resolution going to City Council.

“Alexandria is committed to race and social equity through collaboration among City departments, employees, community members, nonprofit partners and other stakeholders to implement a framework that ensures City policy decisions and practices advance race and social equity,” the city said. “The City’s commitment and efforts moving forward require inclusion, input and ideas from every part of the community.”

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One Person Injured in West End Carjacking

By James Cullum

Published November 6, 2020 at 1:15PM

Alexandria police (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

One person was injured in an afternoon car crash at the intersection of Seminary Road and N. Beauregard Street on Thursday afternoon. After the crash, at least two suspects from one of the cars fled the scene by commandeering another car.

The incidents occurred at around 12:15 p.m., and police helicopters were unsuccessful in finding the suspects. The victim of the hit-and-run suffered minor injuries, and the stolen vehicle was later recovered about a mile away along Sanger Avenue.