Please see the email below from Officer Eggers regarding the recent abduction from Springfield Mall. (Officers at the March '08 Neighborhood Watch Conference discussed the increased crime at Springfield mall and recommended if at all possible, it is best to avoid Springfiled Mall entirely).
Please note - Officer Eggers is scheduled to attend our Annual Greenwood Meeting on Wednesday, Oct 15th at Key Middle School to discuss personal safety, crime in Fairfax County and most importanly the recent crime and vandalism in Greenwood and fires started at the park behind Dakine Circle.
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From: Eggers, Alice [mailto:Alice.Eggers@fairfaxcounty.gov]
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 7:17 PM
Subject: Reference to Woodbridge Man Charged In Fatal Virginia Carjacking....Personal Safety Tips While Shopping....& S.A.F.E. Program.
Reference to Woodbridge Man Charged in Fatal Virginia Carjacking...Personal Safety Tips While Shopping and the SAFE Program
The following http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/14/AR2008091402196.html?nav=hcmoduletmv and http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/15/AR2008091501798.html?tid=informbox were released by the Washington Post.
The two documents attached are the Personal Safety Tips While Shopping (Posted below) and the second document is the S.A.F.E. program (sexual assault free and empowered)
The Crime Prevention Unit felt we should address the concerns of the community by offering Personal Safety Seminars.
If you would like to have a Personal Safety Seminar in your community, HOA or church group etc. Please email Alice.Eggers@fairfaxcounty.gov or Julia.Bauer@fairfaxcounty.gov and we will schedule one.
If you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact us at the Crime Prevention Unit at (703)922-8263 or again Alice.Eggers@fairfaxcounty.gov or Julia.Bauer@fairfaxcounty.gov
Take care
Allie
MPO A. E. Eggers-NREMT-P
Fairfax County Police Department
Franconia District Station
Crime Prevention Unit
6121 Franconia Road
Alexandria, Va 22310
(703)922-0889
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Fires Started at Park Behind Dakine Circle
On Thursday, Aug 21st a neighbor on Dakine smelled burning wood and heard 2 explosions coming from the direction of Springfield Forest Park behind Dakine Circle and called the police.
The fire department put out two fires started with dead wood, lighters and three cans of Tag aerosol which was used as an accelerant. Lt. Rocco Alvaro of the fire department said it is very easy for such activity to go undetected because the area behind Dakine Circle and in the park is very dark at night.
The fire department had to return again on Friday evening to put out another fire, it is believe the fire was a result of remnants of Thursday’s fire that was still smoldering.
On Saturday afternoon neighbors on Dakine Circle noticed the same burning smell behind their home and went beyond the playground to investigate. They came upon another fire smoking and called the fire department. The fire department believes this was a new fire and they discovered a burned out area, including charred trees with more accelerants and burned playing cards.
The fire investigators videotaped the scene and were going back to local stores to review video surveillance tapes. The fire department investigators were very concerned because they said even though the perpetrators may think they have smothered the fire, with the dry conditions; it is reigniting the dead leaves and other combustibles underneath it.
Anyone with any additional information about the fires should contact Lt. Rocco Alvaro directly at 703-246-4801.
The fire department put out two fires started with dead wood, lighters and three cans of Tag aerosol which was used as an accelerant. Lt. Rocco Alvaro of the fire department said it is very easy for such activity to go undetected because the area behind Dakine Circle and in the park is very dark at night.
The fire department had to return again on Friday evening to put out another fire, it is believe the fire was a result of remnants of Thursday’s fire that was still smoldering.
On Saturday afternoon neighbors on Dakine Circle noticed the same burning smell behind their home and went beyond the playground to investigate. They came upon another fire smoking and called the fire department. The fire department believes this was a new fire and they discovered a burned out area, including charred trees with more accelerants and burned playing cards.
The fire investigators videotaped the scene and were going back to local stores to review video surveillance tapes. The fire department investigators were very concerned because they said even though the perpetrators may think they have smothered the fire, with the dry conditions; it is reigniting the dead leaves and other combustibles underneath it.
Anyone with any additional information about the fires should contact Lt. Rocco Alvaro directly at 703-246-4801.
Personal Safety Tips
SHOPPING
- Avoid shopping alone. Traveling in groups of two or more significantly reduces your chance of becoming a victim of crime.
- Be especially alert when leaving stores or shopping malls for your vehicle. This is a time when criminals know you are carrying cash, checkbooks, credit cards or other valuables.
- Trust your instincts. If you have an intuitive feeling something is wrong, trust your instincts. React immediately and take action. Many individuals suppress these feelings, because they fear their response will offend someone. React to your instincts and don’t worry about someone else’s feelings. If someone approaches you and you feel uncomfortable, move or ask for assistance.
- Stand tall and display confidence. Walk with purpose, scan the area around you and make casual eye contact with others to display confidence.
- Carry a cellular phone.
- Avoid wearing excessive jewelry. In particular, keep necklaces and bracelets inside you clothing
- Shop before dark and always park in well-lighted areas.
- Make sure all doors and windows are locked in your vehicle.
- Do not keep packages in plain view in your vehicle.
- Don’t carry large sums of cash. If you do carry cash, do not display it in public or count cash in open areas.
- Have keys in hand before returning to the vehicle. Searching through a purse or briefcase after you’ve reached your car means you are distracted.
- As you approach the car, check to see if anyone is hiding underneath or inside If you are concerned for any reason, simply walk past your car and call for help
- Lock your door immediately upon entering the vehicle. Make this your first action-even before you put the key in the ignition. And lock your door every time you get into your car-even if you are going for only a short ride.
- Check your surroundings before getting out of your car. If something or someone strikes you as out of place or threatening, drive away. If it’s dark, go to a well lighted, heavily traveled area.
- Report any suspicious activity or person immediately to the Fairfax County Police Department at (703)691-2131.
For more information about these and other personal safety tips or to request a presentation from the Crime Prevention Unit please contact MPO A. E. Eggers Franconia District Station (703)922-8263 or email at Alice.Eggers@fairfaxcounty.gov
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