Recently the NWC was informed of two recent incidents that happened in Greenwood and wanted to share their story to help inform neighbors.
A home on Levi Court was burglarized sometime between the evening of Friday, Sept. 25th and the morning of Saturday, Sept. 26th. The thief(s) managed to get into the car parked in the driveway and stole cash, a GPS and other personal items. The thief(s) then used the garage remote control stored in the car to get access to the garage and stole cash and items from the car parked inside the garage. The police commented that there have been similar cases like this one in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Luckily the door from the garage to the house was locked or the thief(s) would have then had full access to the house! As a direct result of hearing this story, I have removed the garage door opener that I stored in my car. Some newer garage openers have a smaller remote key chain opener. This is a big reminder not only to bring in all valuables from cars, but to also lock all house doors. If a door is shut, it should be locked.
The second incident happened about a month ago. A neighbor, preparing to leave for a trip, went out to her car (which was parked in the driveway) at 6:15am. Since she was going to return right away, she left her car unlocked when she went back into the house. Upon returning a few minutes later, it was clear someone had been in the car and ripped through everything. This is a perfect example of how a majority of crimes are opportunity. Someone nearby happened to see the car was left unlocked and tried to take advantage of the situation. Luckily the woman brought in her GPS and other valuables and nothing was taken. It’s recommended to lock your car, even if you expect to return right away. And again – never leave any valuables in the car.
Please email the NWC to report any suspicious activities, incidents or suggestions for articles or tips to share with your Greenwood neighbors. greenwoodnwc@gmail.com
Friday, October 16, 2009
Safety At Springfield Mall
Please continue to be aware of your surroundings and personal belongings while shopping at Springfield Mall. The police recommend parking in open parking lots rather than covered parking. There are fewer hiding spaces and more witnesses.
Fairfax County Police has office space at Springfield Mall located at the lower level by Macy's.
Fairfax Co. Police Search for Mall Parking Lot Attackers
09/01/09
Police Arrest Suspect in Metro Abduction
09/02/09
The recent stabbing that took place at Springfield Mall on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 was self inflicted.
The following article was posted to the Fairfax County website:
Springfield Mall
Update, January 2009
When I was growing up in Lee District, Springfield Mall was a vibrant and modern retail center with stores like Garfinkels and W. Bell Company. Times changed; other malls were developed and redeveloped, yet Springfield Mall’s 80 acres of stores and restaurants remained fixed in time with an absentee owner who saw no reason to invest in his property. The results were all too obvious—B-list retailers, questionable security, and customers who preferred to shop at Tysons, Pentagon City, and anywhere that wasn’t Springfield Mall. A few years ago Vornado Realty Trust, one of the country’s largest owners of retail and office property purchased the mall, intending to transform it into a mixed-use development with retail, office, hotel, and residential.
Vornado’s plans encompass a multi-phase renovation over a period of years. Some of the changes are already evident as the Mall prepares for its interior renovation. The leases of some tenants have not been renewed and other tenants are being moved within the Mall to accommodate the upcoming construction. Security has been significantly improved with the police and Mall security working closely together.
While construction on the first phase of redevelopment (primarily interior upgrades to the existing mall) is expected to begin in spring 2009, the second phase that requires a plan amendment and rezoning was approved by the citizen-led Lee District Land Use Committee and the Fairfax County Planning Commission. The rezoning case is scheduled to go before the Board of Supervisors on February 23.
This second phase would be a pedestrian-oriented town center with retail, office, hotel, and residential. Plans include pocket parks scattered throughout the development, as well as significant environmental upgrades and pedestrian plazas.
Transportation is an important issue and Fairfax County and VDOT are working closely with the Mall developers to ensure that both pedestrians and vehicles will be able to get around. Transportation improvements will include a street grid within the property, and an on-road bike lane for the perimeter roads and trails, as well as improved pedestrian connections between the town center and the Franconia/Springfield Metro and enhanced bus service.
You can find more information about the Mall’s plans at the Springfield Town Center site. I am very excited about the future of the mall and its potential to once again be a positive community focal point.
Fairfax County Police has office space at Springfield Mall located at the lower level by Macy's.
Fairfax Co. Police Search for Mall Parking Lot Attackers
09/01/09
Police Arrest Suspect in Metro Abduction
09/02/09
The recent stabbing that took place at Springfield Mall on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 was self inflicted.
The following article was posted to the Fairfax County website:
Springfield Mall
Update, January 2009
When I was growing up in Lee District, Springfield Mall was a vibrant and modern retail center with stores like Garfinkels and W. Bell Company. Times changed; other malls were developed and redeveloped, yet Springfield Mall’s 80 acres of stores and restaurants remained fixed in time with an absentee owner who saw no reason to invest in his property. The results were all too obvious—B-list retailers, questionable security, and customers who preferred to shop at Tysons, Pentagon City, and anywhere that wasn’t Springfield Mall. A few years ago Vornado Realty Trust, one of the country’s largest owners of retail and office property purchased the mall, intending to transform it into a mixed-use development with retail, office, hotel, and residential.
Vornado’s plans encompass a multi-phase renovation over a period of years. Some of the changes are already evident as the Mall prepares for its interior renovation. The leases of some tenants have not been renewed and other tenants are being moved within the Mall to accommodate the upcoming construction. Security has been significantly improved with the police and Mall security working closely together.
While construction on the first phase of redevelopment (primarily interior upgrades to the existing mall) is expected to begin in spring 2009, the second phase that requires a plan amendment and rezoning was approved by the citizen-led Lee District Land Use Committee and the Fairfax County Planning Commission. The rezoning case is scheduled to go before the Board of Supervisors on February 23.
This second phase would be a pedestrian-oriented town center with retail, office, hotel, and residential. Plans include pocket parks scattered throughout the development, as well as significant environmental upgrades and pedestrian plazas.
Transportation is an important issue and Fairfax County and VDOT are working closely with the Mall developers to ensure that both pedestrians and vehicles will be able to get around. Transportation improvements will include a street grid within the property, and an on-road bike lane for the perimeter roads and trails, as well as improved pedestrian connections between the town center and the Franconia/Springfield Metro and enhanced bus service.
You can find more information about the Mall’s plans at the Springfield Town Center site. I am very excited about the future of the mall and its potential to once again be a positive community focal point.
You can Minimize Your Risk for Identity Theft
Get information and tips from The Consumer Affairs Branch of the Department of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection during National Protect Your Identity Week.
DATE:Thursday, October 22, 2009
TIME: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00p.m.
WHERE: Fairfax County
Government Center
12000 Government
Center Parkway
Conference Rooms2-3
Fairfax, VA 22035
To register call - 703-222-8435 or online at consumer@fairfaxcounty.gov
NationalProtect Your Identity Week (PYIW)
October 17-24
is sponsored by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling www.ProtectYourIDNow.org
DATE:Thursday, October 22, 2009
TIME: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00p.m.
WHERE: Fairfax County
Government Center
12000 Government
Center Parkway
Conference Rooms2-3
Fairfax, VA 22035
To register call - 703-222-8435 or online at consumer@fairfaxcounty.gov
NationalProtect Your Identity Week (PYIW)
October 17-24
is sponsored by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling www.ProtectYourIDNow.org
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