Arlington County Government, VA / Arlington County Police Dept.

ATV's bi-weekly round up of all the news and notes from around Arlington. In this edition, we have a new Police Chief... well, for a day. And we look at the new restoration plan for Four Mile Run. There's also the Women of Vision Awards, a tree is planted in memory of Affordable Housing champion Charlie Rinker, Drew Elementary school students celebrate their community with the innovative art exhibit Nauck Community Portraits, and we look forward to July 4th at Long Bridge Park.

ATV's bi-weekly roundup of news and events. This edition features an interview on the most recent Resident Satisfaction Survey, as well as fun things do to in the summer time, a new Chief of Police, and the annual Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony.

The Arlington Public Schools and the Arlington Police Dept. urge all students to stay safe this holiday season.

Arlington Police Chief replaced by 9-year old boy? We’ll tell you more about that later in our program, but first…

Arlington marked the 30th anniversary of Dark Star Park on August 1st by declaring Dark Star Park Day. That’s when the shadows of the Rosslyn sculpture align with specific markings on the ground. With the proclamation, Arlington also celebrated it’s commitment to public art. To find out more about Arlington’s public art program, which is among the most respected in the nation, and where you can see other pieces of public art, visit our website at publicart.arlingtonva.us.

On another design front, three concepts were unveiled for community feedback at the third Envision Courthouse Square Community Workshop. Each concept is a draft based on input collected earlier. The County is accepting feedback on the designs from the community to determine the right mix of elements for the area. The next working group meeting is September 17. To get involved in the process, check our website at arlingtonva.us keyword “envision”

Metro launched its Silver Line service, connecting Arlington to five new stations in Fairfax County, including McLean, Tysons Corner, and Reston. The new line joins the Orange Line on the existing Metro system. It will eventually extend to Dulles Airport. To learn more about transportation options in Arlington, go to Arlingtontransit.com

OK, relax…Chief Doug Scott wasn’t really replaced… instead, he shared his job with Patrick Omberg, who submitted the winning essay that transformed him from a mild-mannered Taylor elementary school student to Chief of Arlington Police – for a day. The Arlington County Police Department hosts the Chief-for-the-Day contest for students aged 8 through 12. To find out more about the police force in our community, visit our website at police.arlingtonva.us.

With the recent adoption of the County’s 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan, pedestrian and bike upgrades have been accelerated around the East Falls Church Metrorail station, improving safety and accessibility. And, Tyrol Hills Park can expect a replacement playground and gazebo. To learn more about the Capital Improvement Plan, visit our website and search CIP.

In other parks improvement news, the County Board voted unanimously to approve funds to renovate the courts at one of Arlington’s biggest and most popular parks. Improvements at Virginia Highlands Park will include replacement lighting, improved drainage and other amenities. To learn more about Parks improvement projects, go to our website and click on the tab that says Projects & Planning.

That’s it for this show. Thanks for watching! We'll see you Around Arlington.

Artisphere hosted Tandem NSI's recent National Security Deal Day to identify opportunities for entrepreneurs. We'll tell you more about that later in our program, but first...

New transit stations along Columbia Pike will cost 40 percent less than originally anticipated, thanks to a review and re-design. Adjustments to the canopy, simplifying the design and using standardized parts allows the county to build four different size stations, and cut costs. To learn more about the transit stations and streetcar project, go to arlingtonva.us and search "streetcar."

The 19th Annual Walk for the Animals was great fun for all the participants. The walk raises money to support animal care and rescue services. To adopt a pet from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, check their website and choose from the dogs, cats, birds, and others who are looking for their Forever Home.

Tandem NSI brings the resources of Amplifier Ventures and Arlington Economic Development together. Its Deal Day program matches national security entrepreneurs with those who need their skills. To learn more about events offered by TandemNSI, go to their website at TandemNSI.com.

May is Asian-Pacific-American Heritage Month, and events around the County focused on the contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans. At the Columbia Pike Library, visitors enjoyed poetry and a film from Nepal. And ATV filmed an Arlington Historical Society presentation on the "Little Saigon" neighborhood that grew up around Clarendon in the 1970s. Check our schedule to see this and other ATV programs featured at the library.

Members of the Arlington police department gathered to observe Peace Officers Memorial Day, honoring the memory of those law enforcement officers who gave their lives during service to our community. The commemoration took place during National Police Week, which has been observed annually nationwide since it was proclaimed by President Kennedy in 1962. For more information, or to donate to the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, visit the national police week website.

Arlington has lots of fun places to spend the night out with friends. But be careful, among the crowded bars predators are prowling, looking for victims who've had "one too many".
To make sure your good times stay good, here are some safety tips for partying in a safe, responsible way.

• Go out with friends and always arrive and leave together.
• NEVER leave your drink unattended.
• Don't accept drinks from strangers.
• If you let someone buy you a drink, make sure you watch the drink being poured.
• WATCH OUT for your friends. Check on each other through the night.
• If you see a friend acting strangely or out of character, get them to a safe place immediately!
• And NEVER walk home or even to the metro, ALONE.

And remember: Never hesitate to call the police if you think you spot suspicious activity. Call 911 for emergencies. And for non-emergencies, call 703-558-2222. For more safety tips, visit arlingtonva.us/police

**Special thanks to Fireworks Pizza in Courthouse Plaza for allowing us to film at their location.

Ever wonder what the role of the magistrate in Arlington county is? Magistrates are independent judicial officers who work directly for the Supreme Court of Virginia. The principal function of the magistrate is to provide an independent, unbiased review of complaints of criminal conduct brought to the office by law enforcement or the general public.

All complaints filed with the Magistrate's office must be done so in person and in writing. For more information about the Office of the Magistrate, visit the county's webpage, and search "Magistrate."

Five years after its keel was laid down the USS Arlington finally sailed into its home port of Norfolk Virginia where it was commissioned into active service in the United States Navy. It was a memorable and moving beginning to what Arlington officials hope is a long relationship.


In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the US Navy requisitioned three ships that would commemorate the events, pay honor to the Americans who died, and tribute to the efforts of the first responders who were America's first line of defense on that day.

The USS Arlington is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship. This is the third USS Arlington, the previous two having served between WWII and Vietnam. It's a history that highlights the unique relationship between Arlington County and the military.

Because of that unique relationship, Arlington wanted to give the USS Arlington a homecoming unlike any the Navy had ever seen before: a salute from the emergency officials who responded to the attack on the Pentagon on 9/11.

It was an emotional homecoming for the crew which had spent two years in Mississippi preparing the ship for active duty and the first responders salute only added to the powerful feelings of this day. The homecoming event highlighted the growing relationship between the two Arlingtons: county and ship.

That legacy is going to be preserved in a planned Tribute Room onboard the USS Arlington, which will pay honor to both the victims and the heroes of the attack on the Pentagon. A living legacy of Arlington's response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the tribute room will be an important ambassador for our county, as it hosts events and dignitaries all around the world.

As the USS Arlington was commissioned into active duty, the men and women who serve on it bore with them the hopes of a nation, and the special hopes of our community that the relationship we've started will continue to grow over time.

The USS Arlington Commission is still looking for contributions to help build the Tribute Room. So if you'd like to donate, or to find out more about the ship, go to

www.USSArlingtonLPD24.org.

Arlington has safe and beautiful trails for biking, running, and walking. As the days
get longer, people of all ages spend more time outside -- and this includes criminals, too.
Here are some safety tips if you are using the trails in our area.
• Try to use populated areas in the daylight hours.
• Wear light, reflective clothing.
• Try to go out with a friend.
• Make sure you bring a cell phone.
• Familiarize yourself with your trails and avoid areas you don't know.
• If you listen to music, make sure you leave one ear open.
• Tell someone where you will be going before you leave.

And remember: Never hesitate to call the police if you think you spot suspicious activity.
• Call 911 for emergencies
• For non-emergencies, call 703-558-2222

For more safety tips, visit arlingtonva.us/police

Arlington is a safe community, but criminal activity does occur, especially in warm weather, when unlocked doors and open windows can prove tempting.
Here are some safety tips from the Arlington County Police Department.

• Do NOT leave windows open when no one is home.
• If you leave windows open while Sleeping, do not leave any first floor windows open.
• Ask a neighbor to watch your home when you are away.
• Do not leave valuables in places visible from the street.
• Always lock your doors.
• Do not hide keys on your property. Instead, ask a trusted neighbor or friend to hold onto an extra set of your keys.
• Alert your neighbors to suspicious people or activity.

And remember: Never hesitate to call the police if you think you spot suspicious activity.
Call 911 for emergencies. And for non-emergencies, call 703-558-2222.
And for more safety tips, go to Arlingtonva.us/police.

The Arlington Police Dept, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) and Red Top Cab unveiled the Chooser Cruiser, a half taxicab/half police cruiser. The vehicle is a reminder to folks who may have had too much to drink that they have a choice as to the vehicle they will be in when their evening comes to an end.

Notice anything missing? That's right. Sound. It's all around us. And with over 200,000 Arlingtonians living together in just 26 square miles, it can get pretty loud sometimes. Hey! That's enough. Too much noise! That's better.

That's why Arlington, like most communities attempts to control noise through a Sound Ordinance. But few ordinances are as challenging to enforce as one that regulates noise, because our personal perceptions of noise vary widely, as does our tolerance to the source of noise. While some people find traffic noises irritating, others can't tolerate the sound babies crying or dogs barking. One person's music is another person's noise.

Spurred by a recent Virginia Supreme Court ruling which struck down subjective criteria, Arlington is undertaking the first update to its Noise Control ordinance since the 1970s. A lot of things have changed in Arlington over the last four decades and as Arlington has become a more commercial and urban community, it's gotten louder... and louder. On an average week night in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor the basic ambient noise can exceed 60 dB.

In addition, methods of measurement created in the 70s have become less useful over time, as have penalties and fines.

The challenge we face is to define new tools that create clear, reasonable, objective standards, AND allow for effective and equitable enforcement. Enforcement issues can become particularly difficult at night or on weekends when Arlington County Police must respond to noise complaints among their other duties. These are also the times when noise control issues can frustrate and aggravate us the most.

Effective noise control means coming together to protect our community's health, safety, and welfare while respecting each other's rights. After all, each one of us makes the world just a little bit louder.

You can find out more about Arlington's noise control ordinance, or file a complaint yourself, by going to building.arlingtonva.us.

Chief of Police M. Douglas Scott held this press conference this morning (March 20, 2012) to address a March 1, 2012 Arlington County Police Department memorandum, titled "Proactivity expectations 2012," that has been brought to public attention.

Chief of Police M. Douglas Scott held this press conference this morning (March 20, 2012) to address a March 1, 2012 Arlington County Police Department memorandum, titled "Proactivity expectations 2012," that has been brought to public attention.

The crisis intervention team, or CIT, has developed a multi step process that looks at each individual case along the entire criminal justice system and ensures that person receives the care and attention they need.

The Second Chance program allows middle- and high school kids who have been referred to the Juvenile Justice system for substance abuse, to avoid prosecution in favor of participation in an educational program. This press event was held on June 30 2011 in the Arlington County VA Public LIbrary.

Cuentos y Más, or Stories and More, is a bilingual storytime show. Children and adults can enjoy the stories while learning English and Spanish. Each episode features 2 stories read or told in the studio and on location in Arlington County VA.

Cuentos y Más, o Stories and More, es un programa bilingüe de cuentos. Niños y adultos pueden disfrutar no solo de los cuentos, sino que también pueden aprender inglés y español. Cada episodio incluye dos historias: una leída o contada en el estudio, y la otra en la comunidad del condado de Arlington, Virginia.

News segments featuring people and events in Arlington County VA

NewsMakers coverage of the Arlington 9-11 Police-Fire-Sheriff Memorial 5K Race. Sept. 11, 2010 in Crystal City, Arlington VA

News segments featuring people and event in Arlington County

News segments featuring people and events in Arlington County, VA

A segment of AVN's monthly magazine show, "Here/now", "Know Your..." provides a behind the scenes look at how our county government actually works. In this episode, we get a behind the scenes tour of the county's new emergency communications center. Afterwards, OEM Acting Director Jack Brown drops by the Here/now studio for an interview with Tara Miles.

A segment from the NewsMakers program produced by Arlington Virginia Network featuring the Safety First event, an interactive afternoon of awareness seminars, safety tips, and crime prevention that took place at Kenmore Middle School in February 2008.

A segment from the NewsMakers program produced by Arlington Virginia Network featuring the Town Hall Meeting on Preventing Violence and Gang Involvement that took place at Kenmore Middle School in February 2008.