Possible Attempted Child Abduction on Demme Place

On Sunday, April 22 a man in a grey Lincoln Continental with temporary Ohio plates was catcalling a 12 year old girl and gesturing for her to come over to the car. The young girl ran home, he followed her to her home. He then left to pick up another man from a home on Demme Place and returned to the young girls’ home. The two men began gesturing to the young girl, by this time the mother had called the police. While on the phone the young girls’ grandmother approached the car. The car peeled out spinning wheels loud enough for the dispatcher hear. The police eventually caught the driver of the car, the second man was aided by the woman who lives on Demme Place and escaped the police. The driver was arrested for Drunk in Public and Reckless Driving. According to the police, the man could not be charged with any crimes associated with trying to lure the young girl to the car.

The police also mentioned that this home was a ‘known’ home to the police for drug use and domestic violence. Once records are made public, the home and names can be posted on the website.

Parents need to be aware of this potential danger in Greenwood. Who is to say the man would have taken the child if she did approach the car, but no intentions are honorable when a strange man calls a child over to a car.

The NWC is hearing many comments about children of all ages without parental supervision, while it is not possible to watch children all the time and children do need levels of freedom, it is important to discuss child safety and what to do in potentially dangerous situations.

The NWC is working on a safety presentation for the neighborhood children and their parents. Please check back for more information on the date and details as they develop.

Possible Gang Activity at Springfield Forest Park (between Demme Cir. & Levi Ct.)

At approximately 6:45 PM on Saturday, April 28, 2007 three cars of Hispanic youths (4 in each car) drove up and went into Springfield Forest Park.

One individual had a bat and another had a ball. These two individuals started to play ball while the remaining 10 youths (late teens, early 20s) went north of the playground equipment on the path where a fight broke out.

The person who witnessed this take place immediately called 911 and provided descriptions of the cars and suspects. The cars were in a maroon Nissan Maxima - Virginia Tags, a Tan/Gold Honda - Virginia Tags, and Black BMW - Virginia Tags.

Unfortunately no police responded to the 911 call. After talking to an officer about the incident I was informed that it was most likely a gang initiation, he was very surprised to hear officers did not respond.

Most likely because the call was reported as a fight it may not have been taken as seriously as gang activity. Usually the dispatcher will be able to make the connection but, as was the case on Saturday, not always.

This post is two fold – not only to alert neighbors of the potential gang activity taking place in our development – but to also let you know when calling 911 if there is the slightest possibility it is gang related, report as such. Do not make false reports if you know it is not the case, but when in doubt and it is a possibility, you should suggest it could be gang related.

Mail Missing?

We have received some comments about checks in the mail never showing up and missing magazines. Some calls have been made to the Post Office, but seem to be dismissed as one time events. Please report any issues with as much detail as possible to greenwoodnwc.com and ask around when talking to your neighbors. Unless we can present a larger problem, this situation will continue.

Update for donations

The list of information needed has been updated & a recap is posted below. We received lots of clothes for the families, it was suggested by one of the volunteers to request jackets for all season. When Pat Pfaltzgraff was speaking with Fox news it was overheard that his kids are very into sports and they lost a lot of their soccer, T Ball and Baseball equipment as well as the boys bicycles. One neighbor suggested gift certificates to Sports Authority.

Saturday, May 5th
9:00am – 1:00pm at the Greenwood pool
6621 Debra Lu Way (off Seatrend)

· Clothes/Jackets/Shoes – see the list below of sizes
· Checks – can be made out to Greenwood Homeowners Association
(In memo section write 'Greenwood Fire')
· Gift Cards – to Wal-Mart, Target, grocery store or Sports Authority
· Children's toys the two boys ages 5 & 6 lost all their toys, bikes and sports equipment (soccer, T-Ball and Baseball - anything sports related

Children/Teens Clothing
- Boys (kids) – Kids tops and bottoms 5 & 7; PJ's 8; underwear 8; socks 11-1
- Boy (Teen) – Men’s Small
- Girls (Teens) – 7 Jr. Petite, 6 & 7 Woman’s
Children/Teens Shoes
- Boys (kids) – boys are OK on shoes
- Boy (Teen) – 10/10½
- Girls (Teens) – sizes 6, 7, 7½ & 8

Adults
- Men: Tops – Large, XL and Dbl XL; Pants – 40x29, 34x30, 36x36; Shoes – 8.5, 10.5 4EE Wide, 11
- Adults Women: Tops – Small to Large; Pants – Sizes 8 (petite & reg) – 12; PJ's - M-L Shoes – 7, 7½, 8, 8½

Amanda Pfaltzgraff stopped by last night and was overwhelmed with the toys and clothing donated for her two sons. She said one of the toys donated was something very similar to what they lost and the boys will be thrilled!

More on the Drive

So many people came to the drive yesterday and it was very appreciated. We had a family who used to live in Greenwood over 2 years ago contact the NWC to volunteer. We sure did need the help, some people who dropped off donations stayed on to help sort and organize the donations which was very helpful. it is not possible to write about all the people who came by and helped, but the spirit of the children wanting to contribute was very moving. One little girl begged her mother to donate her clothes and then stayed on to help fold clothes.

John wanted so much to contribute he went home and came back with his entire coin collection, donating over $27!

Kyra is not even a Greenwood resident - she found out about the donation drive from her friends facebook page online. She took many flyers and said she doing her best to get the information out about next Saturday's drive.

Keep spreading the word and fingers crossed, next Saturday will be just as busy as this Saturday - if not more.

Today's Donation Drive

THANK YOU all for coming out for today's donation drive for the families on Dakine. Over 100 people came out and were very generous donating money, belongings and time. We had a huge turnout of Greenwood neighbors and many people came from other neighborhoods as well. Over $4,000 dollars raised and over 20 boxes of clothing, shoes, toys and more!

Over the past week organizing the drive with the families, their strength and outlook in the face of this terrible event has been moving. In light of everything that has happened to them, they are positive, thankful that everyone is safe and they are very moved by all the support of the community.

Pat Pfaltzgraff (6398), Mary Kay & Chris (6396), and The Siddiqui family (6394) came to the drive to offer thanks and many friends and neighbors were happy to see them. With all the commotion of the past week it was good to spend some time getting to know them better. Mary Kay & Chris are engaged and were planning their wedding in July, for a moment they discussed postponing the wedding. But when they found their wedding bands in the rubble that was once their home, they took it as a sign to go forward with the big day. The Phaltzgraff's were at their son's T-Ball practice when the fire started so luckily their two little boys didn't have to experience the trauma of the fire. Pat is with the military and was stationed here while working on his graduate degree at George Washington and lost almost an entire year of work on his Thesis in the fire! Yet as Pat said, the loss of their beloved 9 year old dog, BB, puts the loss of 'things' into perspective. Frahana Siddiqui's son was kinda hoping that his school work could have been lost in the fire too, but luckily for his mom, most school work was saved.

WTOP & Washington Post radio and Fox Channel 5 both came out to interview Pat and Mary Kay & Chris to share their stories and report on the drive. Keep spreading the word about next Saturday!
With Fox News - Big thanks to our neighbor Jodi Duke for getting Fox News out to interview and report on the drive. Her sister Jennifer is a reporter for Fox News.

With WTOP

Greenwood Pool - Address and Map

Greenwood Pool (click for map)
6621 Debra Lu Way, Springfield, VA
(703) 922-9401

Saturday, April 28th and Saturday, May 5th
9:00am – 1:00pm at the Greenwood Pool

Check Donations for Dakine

If you cannot make it to the donation drive and would like to contribute to the families, you may send a check.

Make check payable to 'Greenwood Homeowners Association'

Please be sure to write 'Greenwood Fire' in the memo section of the check.

Mail checks to:
Cardinal Management Group, Inc.
Attn: Charyl Ferguson/Greenwood Fire
4330 Prince William Parkway, Suite 201
Woodbridge, Virginia 22192

Dakine Donation Drive

Many Greenwood neighbors have asked how they can help the families whose homes and possessions were lost in the fire on Monday, April 23rd. The Greenwood NWC will be holding a donation drive to help collect items needed.

Saturday, April 28th

and Saturday, May 5th
9:00am – 1:00pm at the Greenwood pool (see address above)

Clothing, shoes, and money are the items most needed at this time.

(you will receive a receipt of your donation for your records)

· Clothes/Shoes – see the list below of sizes
· Checks – can be made out to Greenwood Homeowners Association
(In memo section write 'Greenwood Fire')
· Gift Cards – to Wal-Mart, Target, or grocery store

· Children's toys the two boys ages 5 & 6 lost all their toys, bikes and sports equipment

Children/teens - Clothing
Boys (kids) – Kids tops and bottoms 5 & 7; PJ's 8; underwear 8 ; socks 11-1
Boy (Teen) – Men’s Small
Girls (Teens) – 7 Jr. Petite, 6 & 7 Woman’s

Children/teens - Shoes
Boys (kids) – boys are OK on shoes
Boy (Teen) – 10/10½
Girls (Teens) – sizes 6, 7, 7½ & 8

Clothing - Adults
Men*: Tops – Large, XL and Dbl XL
Pants – 40x29, 34x30, 36x36
Shoes – 8.5, 10.5 4EE Wide, 11 (no information on one man)

Shoes - Adults
Women: Tops – Small to Large
Pants – Sizes 8 (petite & reg) – 12

PJ's - M-L
Shoes – 7, 7½, 8, 8½

*Please check back for updates on sizes as they come in. We do not have size information for one home at this time.

The NWC would like to thank all the neighbors for their help in organizing the drive - distributing flyers, making the signs, and volunteering your time.

The families have expressed many thanks to everyone to for their time and donations.

Fire on Dakine

Our hearts go out to the Greenwood families who lost their homes last night. News reports have stated the fire started at about 6:40 Monday evening. Officials say at least 12 adults and six children were displaced. Thankfully no one was injured.

We cannot confirm how the fire started, but reports are that it was a knocked over grill. Also heard, but not confirmed, a dog was lost in the fire.

Cardinal Management has received many requests from neighbors on what they can do to help the families affected by the fire. Shirley is leaving tomorrow for a conference and is physically unable to set up anything this week. The NWC is currently trying to organize a drop off at the pool parking lot this Saturday for donations. We need volunteers to help organize, determine what donations are needed, and is available on Saturday. Please send an email to greenwoodnwc@gmail.com if you can help.

The following link has information on how to prevent fires and fire safety - http://www.firesafetytips.com/ Please take the time to review this information and discuss with your family.

The BOD will discuss a fund for donations next week at their meeting.

Saturday, April 21st

Don't forget the Annual Open Space Cleanup this weekend.

Beginning at 8:30am at the pool parking lot.

Come out, meet your neighbors, and help keep Greenwood clean.

Free donuts and coffee will be available and in addition participants will receive a lovely small spring plant for their yard.

Speeding and Illegal driving on Seatrend

There has been feedback to the NWC that there is an increase of people speeding on Seatrend. In addition, one neighbor sent an email to alert us that a woman in a silver car with Michigan plates was not only speeding but illegally passed on Seatrend.

Especially during the summer months there are lots of children playing outside as well as an increase in the number of animals around the area. Please keep in mind that the speed limit is 25 miles per hour and drive accordingly. Please alert visitors to be courteous as well.

According to Officer Nida it is generally considered to be reckless driving to pass in a residential neighborhood and to call the non-emergency number 703-691-2131 if you see this kind of activity. The patrol police respond very quickly to such calls.

Another option is to contact the Fairfax County Police’s “Operation Road Shark” office to report offenders. Contact: Officer Robert Barton Fairfax County Police Department 3911 Woodburn Annandale, VA 22003 Phone: (703)280-0561.

Overall Crime Drops in 2006

Fairfax County maintained an overall decrease in index crime (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft) in 2006 compared to 2005. Only two categories of crime, robbery and burglary, increased in that one-year period, which is consistent with crime trends throughout the country.


* 2005 - 20 offenses, 22 victims

* 2006 - 18 offenses, 19 victims

The increase in commercial and street-level robberies has continued into 2007. These offenses are particularly important because of the potential for violence against victims. Colonel Dave Rohrer, Chief of the Fairfax County Police Department, says robberies are a top priority for patrol officers and detectives. “My officers and detectives are doing an outstanding job in responding to and investigating these cases and a significant number of arrests have been made. As I’ve stated before, our robbery increase unfortunately mirrors regional and national trends, with many localities experiencing significantly higher increases and significant increases in gun violence.”

Very preliminary numbers for burglary for 2007 show a decrease compared to the same periods YTD in 2006. There have been a significant number of arrests in burglary cases in recent months; many involving single suspects charged with multiple burglaries.

PIO release
Crime Prevention Office
Fairfax County Police Department

703-246-2253

FCPD-PIO@fairfaxcounty.gov

www.fairfaxcounty.gov

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!

Narcotics Arrest / Pit Bulls Shot on Zekan Lane, Springfield

(Zekan Lane is the street that runs parallel to Seatrend Way)

FRANCONIA, Va. -- Fairfax County police officials said officers serving an arrest warrant for narcotics Thursday (March 29) shot and killed two dogs. Police said it happened in the 6400 block of Zekan Lane about 10:30 p.m. in the Franconia section of the county.

Upon entering the residence, an officer was attacked by one of five dogs that were in the home, officials said. The attacking dog, a Pit Bull, was shot and killed. A second dog, a Rottweiller/Labrador mix, then charged at officers and was also shot and killed, police said.

The first officer that was attacked suffered minor injuries to his upper body, authorities said. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated and released. Police said a third dog, also a Pit Bull, was taken to a veterinarian and treated for minor injuries not related to gunfire. The two remaining dogs, also Pit Bulls, were not injured and were transported to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, officials said. They were later released to their owner.
The tactical team had knowledge of the dogs, officials said. Officers made an arrest, but police have not released the person's name. This investigation is ongoing.

Theft of Charity Donations

The Neighbor Watch Committee has been made aware of theft of charity donations in the Greenwood Community. On several occasions a Greenwood resident has left a bag of goods outside her garage at 6.30 a.m. and was informed later that day that the goods were not there when they drove by to pick them up. Unfortunately there are groups around who scout neighborhoods for charity donations and steal them for their own use or to sell. Please be aware of this activity and report suspicious behavior.

Be a Good Neighbor - Report Suspicious Activity

A recently aired (March 7) segment of the NBC "Dateline" examined more crime could be prevented if we less apathetic about what goes on around us. As neighbors we need to be aware of what is going on around us and not just ignore unusual activity because it doesn't affect us or we think someone else will take care of it.

In our recent Neighborhood Watch briefing, Officer Nida of the Fairfax County Police encouraged us to report any suspicious activity, no matter how insignificant we thought it might be. A few days later, my doorbell rang one evening and by the time I got to the door and managed to look through the peephole, the two gentlemen planning to pay me a visit has walked away. I assumed from the way they were dressed that they were religious workers (soliciting in Greenwood is prohibited, incidentally), but as a precaution, I called the non-emergency police number and was told that a police cruiser would come by the area. Now, as I said, I THINK they were probably "harmless" but, all the same, I would rather take 5 minutes of an officer's time to check that out, than hear the next day about a home invasion in Greenwood.

Please report ANY suspicious activity, no matter how trivial it may seem. Use the non-emergency number on the magnet you recently received.

Reporting suspicious activity is especially important when it comes to children. Please watch this perturbing video which aired as part of the dateline story and teach your children to report anything out of the ordinary or situations they are uncomfortable with. Click on the link below to read the Dateline article and watch the video.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17508172/

Girl Abducted at Bus Stop

A 10-year-old Engleside-area girl was abducted at a bus stop Saturday, March 17 around 8:30 a.m. on Route 1 near Frye Road. The man first asked the girl if she wanted a ride, then implied he had a weapon and pulled her into his van. He drove about 1½ miles before stopping the van and exposing himself to her. He let her out at Fordson Road and drove away. The victim was not injured.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic man about 35-45 years old, 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 9 inches tall with black hair. He wore a navy blue shirt and blue jeans. He drove a white van.

Police are releasing a composite sketch of the suspect from the abduction which occurred Saturday, March 17. Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the man in the sketch. Anyone who thinks they can identify this man should call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or the police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131.

Pet Food Recall

Menu Foods, the Ontario, Canada-based company that produces pet food, recalled dog food sold throughout North America under 48 brands and cat food sold under 40 brands including Iams, Nutro and Eukanuba.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070318/ap_on_re_us/pet_food_recall;_ylt=AhU1PoedbSiTZq8z96QyjnhvzwcF

A complete list of the recalled products along with product codes, descriptions and production dates is available from the Menu Foods Web site, http://www.menufoods.com/recall. The company also designated two phone numbers that pet owners could call for information — (866) 463-6738 and (866) 895-2708.

Fairfax County Website

It's amazing all the information found on the Internet when doing a search on 'safety'. Of all the sites that are out there, we are very fortunate to have one of the best sites within our own county. The Fairfax County website has TONS of information - take some time to explore it; you will be amazed at what you can learn about the community you live in. Here's some information they have posted about safety.

Safety Tips http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/reports/reports2006/120606safetytips.htm

• Keep doors locked, even if you are away for only a few minutes.
• Always keep your keys in your possession. Never place them under mats, over doors, or in any other obvious hiding places.
• Install and use a door chain and viewer/peephole, and ask the callers name every time you answer the door. Don’t open the door until you are sure who is there.
• If the caller claims to be an official, ask for proof of identity. If you are in any doubt, ask the person to either wait or call back later so that you can ring the company he or she claims to be representing for verification.
• If a stranger asks to use your telephone in an emergency, offer to make the call yourself while he/she waits outside.
• Have a home security check conducted by the Crime Prevention Officer in your local police district.
• If you return to your residence and you think it has been entered illegally, do not enter. Call the Police at 911!
• Draw curtains or blinds after dark.
• Don't advertise. Never leave a note on the door stating you are not at home. Use only your last name and first initial on the door, the mailbox, and in telephone books. Consider excluding your street address from directory listings. .
• Establish a buddy system with a neighbor. Each should be wary of anything out of the ordinary, in and around the others' premises. Let your neighbor know when you will be arriving home late. Take in each other's mail and newspapers in the event of vacations or absences for more than a day.
• Use a timer for lamps or a radio to give your residence an occupied look or sound.
• Never answer personal questions on the telephone. Never admit that you are alone or that you live alone.
• All entrances to your home should be well lit.
• Be involved with your Neighborhood Watch.
• Report any suspicious sounds, activities, automobiles or behavior that you see to the police