After reading the Greenwood newsletter a neighbor contacted the NWC via email with very detailed information regarding a man roaming around the neighborhood. The neighbor’s description matched that of the man stealing newspapers and wanted to bring this additional information to our attention.

The email (attached below) was very important to receive as it was the first time it was brought to attention that the man, who most likely is the same man stealing the newspapers, may have mental problems. This presents a higher risk to the neighbors and it is important everyone be aware that he is around. The information was sent on to the police and I feel, thanks to Amy’s detailed description, will be elevated from just an issue with someone stealing papers to a higher priority for the police.

This also give us the opportunity to reiterate when in doubt, please call the non-emergency police number – 703-691-2131. No call is too small or petty and, as can be seen with the situation, can raise awareness from a nuisance to a disturbance.

The NWC is very thankful to Amy for sending the email and it goes to show you as neighbors have a very important roll in helping keep Greenwood safe. Hopefully we will be hearing from more Greenwood residents as word about the website grows.

Subject: Fwd: Strange Person on Levi Court
To whom it may concern:

My husband and I moved into the Greenwood subdivision back in October 2006. Shortly thereafter I noticed a strange man walking in the woods behind our home and the other homes on Levi Court and the part of Debra Lu that backs to the train tracks.

In December 2006 a white man about 50-60 years of age, with gray hair, in kaki pants and a thin blue jacket approached my dog and I on the path leading to the metro. He came out of the tall grass to the left of the bridge over the creek just as we were heading down the path toward the metro. It was about 3:30pm. He appeared disoriented and began to mumble to me that he was clearing a path to the 7-11 up on Franconia Road. He said there used to be a path there. I smiled and kept walking but the man seemed very strange, appeared out of nowhere and I questioned why he would be "making a path" in the highly overgrown area along the metro tracks when the existing sidewalk through Greenwood served as a path to Franconia Road.

Several days later in December, my dog was out on the back deck at about 4pm and began barking. I looked out to see the same man, in the same clothes walking through the woods that separate my row of homes from some on Debra Lu. Again, I thought this was strange. In addition it was extremely cold out and he was in the same thin blue jacket.

In January I saw the same man in the same clothes walking out of the woods behind my row of homes and onto Levi Court where he was talking to himself. He continued on Levi and went behind the homes on my street that back to the pond and path to the metro.

I have since seen this man many times either mumbling to himself on the path to the metro or in the woods behind various rows of homes on Levi and Debra Lu. I didn't report it because being new to the neighborhood and not knowing everyone on my street, I thought maybe this man was simply someone's relative and was just a bit strange.

Upon talking with my neighbors, I discovered that this man was not known to the longtime residents of Levi Court. In addition, today, March 30th he came out of behind some homes on Levi and approached my neighbor and me and mumbled something about sayings from back when he was a kid. None of his conversation made much sense or had much relevance. While he was in a different outfit then his usual one today, he did appear dirty and strangely disoriented. My neighbor and I quickly went inside and that is when she recommended I contact your organization.

Perhaps this person is harmless but after reading the Greenwood newsletter, my description of this man sounds a bit like that of the man who was/is taking newspapers from neighbors. In addition, I am not comfortable with him wandering the woods behind homes. He appears to be around the Levi/Debra Lu area during the week from about 4pm-6pm.

Thank you!