Senate Bill 964

Senate Bill 964 has been introduced by Senator Linda T. "Toddy" Puller, who represents parts of Fairfax and Prince William Counties. As introduced, Senate Bill 964 will have a significant, impact on the aesthetics of community associations. If passed by the General Assembly, this amendment to the Property Owners' Association Act would prohibit associations from adopting rules to control the display of political signs on individual lots - unless the recorded governing documents give the Association greater authority. Even though the law might allow a Board to establish some rules governing size and other factors, there could be little or no control over the number of such signs and what is displayed upon them.

Why would the NWC be concerned over such a proposal? The appearance of your neighborhood will deter or attract criminals. Litter accumulation is a sign to criminals that the neighborhood doesn't pay much attention to itself and the safety of its residents. Crime and litter statistics both show a direct relationship between high crime and litter-strewn neighborhoods.

Ask Senator Puller to pull this legislation before it is considered. Make the effort NOW to stop this sign pollution and campaign litter before it is allowed to get started in your community.

Newspaper Theif

At the NW meeting an issue was brought up about someone stealing Washington Post newspapers. For the past 3+ years, Monday through Friday, a man has been targeting Greenwood residents and stealing their newspapers. The woman who delivers the papers has confronted the person and he ran off into the woods, but it did not deter him. Based on her description, he is a thin white man with very curly hair and is approximately 5'7" or 5'8". He is always on foot and usually wearing blue jeans and a light blue jacket when the weather is cool. He targets homes between 5:00am - 6:30am, Monday through Friday. He focuses on streets past the stops sign on Seatrend , primarily Dakine, Debra Lu Way, Simmer Circle & Levi Ct .

The police are aware of the situation, but we can do our part to help resolve the issue by using the 6 key elements in a proper Neighborhood Watch program.

• Know your neighbors
• Be observant
• Write it down
• Carry a cell
• Do not approach
• Call police

If you see anything, please call the police - the numbers are:

Non Emergency Police – 703-691-2131 (enter into your cell phone)
You can report online at http://www.gairfaxcounty.gov/ps/police/CRS/CRSDiscl.html

Or you can contact the Fairfax County Crime Prevention Officers, Ellie Eggars or Jim Nida, at 703-922 8263

Update on NWC

Thank you to all that showed up for the NW meeting last week. We hoped there would have been more residents at the meeting as one of the ways to best prevent crime in our neighborhood is for everyone to do their part. Officer Nida, a Fairfax County Crime Prevention Officer, spoke about crime in the area and how to best protect yourself from becoming a victim. This information can be found in fliers and handouts available for free at the Franconia Government Center on Franconia Road

If you would like to become a member of the Greenwood NWC or would like to report anything of interest, send an email to greenwoodnwc@gmail.com

Officer Nida stressed it is up to neighbors to do their part to stay safe.
· Know your neighbors – when they are in town, type of cars they drive.
· Be observant
· Write it down
· Carry a cell
· Do not approach
· Call police

When in doubt – call the police – they want all the calls they can get. When many calls with in with bits and pieces of information it can be like puzzle pieces building the scene.

Non Emergency Police – 703-691-2131 (enter into your cell phone)

You can report a crime online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ps/police/CRS/CRSDiscl.html

Tip line for rewards: 703-691-8888 Crimesolvers@fairfaxcounty.gov

Fairfax County Crime Prevention Officers
Ellie Eggars
Jim Nida
703-922 8263

All are welcome to attend the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) at the Government Center off Franconia Road. They meet the 3rd Wednesday of the month (sometimes this will change due to off site trips). The meetings begins at 7pm; down to business by 7:30. Snacks are provided.

Gone in 4 seconds

Here is an excellent post on youtube.com Well worth the 3 1/2 minutes it will take to watch to help prevent becoming a victim of identity theft.

Dangerous Dogs Website

In response to a request by the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County and as a service to the public, the Animal Services Division has posted the list of dangerous dogs in Fairfax County to the county website. It can be found at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ps/ac/dangerous-dogs-2005.pdf.

A dangerous dog is defined, in part, “as any canine or canine crossbreed that has bitten, attacked, or inflicted injury on a person or companion animal, or killed a companion animal.” Only a judicial determination can label a dog as a “dangerous dog.” The county code which outlines the procedures and responsibilities regarding dangerous dogs is Section 41.1-2-7. Controlling dangerous and vicious dogs.

Police Department Programs

SEXUAL ASSAULT FREE AND EMPOWERED (SAFE)

In the United States a woman is assaulted every six minutes. Three out of four women will experience at least one violent crime in their lifetimes. Could you effectively defend yourself if attacked? SAFE is a woman’s self-defense program that teaches realistic self-defense tactics and techniques. The program begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance. It then progresses to the basics of hands-on defense training. To learn more about SAFE or to register for the course, please call (703) 246-7806

The above was in the Eye on Crime newsletter for Oct/Nov. If you are interested in being on the email list for the Eye on Crime Newsletter and/or the Weekly Crime Report, Please contact the Crime Prevention Office via email at fracpo@fairfaxcounty.gov or call (703) 922-8263.

Safety Alert - Money Stolen

The following incident was in the September 22-28 Weekly Crime Report:
Michael Robert Drive, 6300 Block: Money stolen from residence.

Neighborhood Watch Meeting

There will be a Neighborhood Watch Committee meeting on Thursday, September 15 at 7:00pm. Greenwood residents are welcome to attend. Please send an e-mail to greenwoodnwc@gmail.com if you are planning to attend.

Trick or Treat

Halloween is on Sunday, October 31st. Here are some Trick or Treating Tips to ensure a safe and fun night.
1. Costumes should be light in color and reflective (or use reflective tape).
2. Costumes should be comfortable for walking.
3. Costumes should be short to prevent trips, and other bumps in the night.
4. Carry a flashlight to see and be seen easily.
5. Use facial make-up instead of masks.
6. Walk with a parent or older sibling.
7. If a parent can't walk, Trick-or-Treat in a group.
8. Cross at corners. Never cross between parked vehicles or at mid-block.
9. If there are no sidewalks, always walk facing traffic and on or close to the shoulder of the road.
10. Stay close to home and only on streets and at homes you are familiar with.
11. Never enter a stranger's house or car.
12. Before eating those yummy treats, have a parent check them in a well-lighted place.
13. Instead of going door-to-door, consider having a Halloween costume party with treats, games, music, scary stories and much more.

Safety Alert - Car vandalism

On Wednesday, June 29, a rear spoiler was stolen off the back of a car parked in a driveway on Levi Court between midnight and 7am.

Many Greenwood residents have had to deal with the volation of their car emblems stolen over the past years. While frustrating, it has mostly been a nuisance with minimal costs to the owners. The theft of the rear spoiler is becoming more and more common in Fairfax County as well as other counties and can cost thousands of dollars to repair depending on the extent of damage.

When filling out the police report, the officer made a point to mention proper lighting is the best way to prevent these crimes. The more nighbhors who leave their lights on overnight, the better the lighting, the safer the neighborhood is for everyone.

Safety Alert - Sexual Offense-Exposure

A man exposed himself to a 10-year-old girl in the Franconia area. On Sunday, July 17 around 8 p.m., in the 6000 block of Topsails Lane a girl was in her home when she heard a noise at the back door. She looked out the door and saw a man exposing himself. The girl ran to tell her parents and the police were summoned. The suspect was described as a white man, 19-25 years old, blonde hair, wearing a dark t-shirt, jeans, and a black baseball cap. He was approximately 5-feet 8-inches tall and had a thin build.

The above incident was in the July 14-20 Weekly Crime Report. Within the same e-mail was a report of a compact disc player and a two way radio stolen from vehicle on Debra Lu Way.

If you are interested in being on the mailing list for the Eye on Crime Newsletter or on the email list for the Weekly Crime Report, Please contact the Crime Prevention Office via email at fracpo@fairfaxcounty.gov or call (703) 922-8263.

Important Phone Numbers

EmergencyPolice, fire and ambulance: 911
Fire and ambulance (non-emergency): 703-691-2131
Poison control: 800-222-1222
Sewer line breaks or emergencies: 703-323-1211
Power outage: 888-667-3000
Cable outage: 703-378-8440
General County InformationCounty: 703-324-3185
Animal control: 703-830-1100
Office for Children/child care: 703-449-9555
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles: 800-435-5137
Disposal sites, Interstate 66 facility: 703-631-1179
Human Services: 703-222-0880
Rape crisis (domestic violence and sexual assault): 703-360-7273
Recycling information line: 703-324-5052
Virginia Department of Transportation: 703-383-VDOT

CRIME PREVENTION TIPS

"You Too Can Prevent Crime!!!"

• Be alert and report any suspicious activity to your Neighborhood Watch Committee greenwoodnwc@gmail.com
• Take Pride in your community - keep your property and surrounding area free of litter. Cleanliness deters Crime
• Lighting in and around your property can deter theft and vandalism.
• Never leave shopping bags or valuables in your vehicle where they can be viewed.
• Have a friend or neighbor collect mail and newspapers when you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time.
• Create a buddy system and assist each other, especially our senior members of the community.
• Guard yourself against Identity theft by destroying all bank statements, credit card applications, etc, before disposing.
• Join the Greenwood Neighborhood Watch Committee - working together can help promote a safer community.