Annandale neighbors promote safety at community event
Annandale residents of all ages learned about crime prevention and community resources at Neighborhood Safety Day Sept. 10 at Ossian Hall Park.
The event was organized by the Safety Working Group, a component of Opportunity Neighborhoods-Annandale.
ON-Annandale, a Fairfax County program run by FACETS, helps residents of high-need neighborhoods plan programs and activities based on their biggest concerns.
At Neighborhood Safety Day, CAFE (Community Art for Everyone) helped children repaint and beautify a cardboard house covered with graffiti. The Blue Sky Puppet Theater entertained children while delivering a message of acceptance and inclusion.
Related story: Residents of Annandale’s ‘opportunity neighborhoods’ work on action plans
Several public agencies (the Mason Police District, Neighborhood and Community Services, the Public Defenders Office, and the Office for Women and Domestic and Sexual Violence Services) participated in the event, as well as Just Neighbors, the Braddock supervisor’s office, and the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s success in fighting crime “depends on our relationship with you and the information you provide,” Capt. Shawn Adcock, commander of the Mason Police District, told residents.
While “we live in one of the safest counties in the country,” Adcock said, people need to be aware of their surroundings. That means people walking alone shouldn’t be so engrossed with their phone that they’re not aware of what’s going on.
“If you’re out and see something suspicious or something that makes you feel uncomfortable, please call the police. Trust your gut,” Adcock said.
To prevent gang violence, FCPD has assigned dedicated foot patrols and gang detectives to the apartment communities in Annandale.
Domestic violence is also a major concern. Adcock urges people to call the police if they don’t feel safe at home or know someone who could be a victim. The police department’s Victim Services Division provides support and resources.
Adcock reminded people to lock their vehicles and remove phones or other valuables or lock them in the trunk out of sight. Most stolen cars had been left unlocked.
He urged people to contact Crime Prevention Officer Evan Dicker for a no-cost assessment on how to keep a business or residence safe.
Mason Supervisor Penny Gross urged people to call her office if they have concerns about safety or any other concern on a county level.
Supervisor James Walkinshaw (Braddock) praised Gross for “building community and making sure everyone feels welcome in our community, especially new arrivals.”
“What we’re doing here today is sending a message that public safety is about community,” Walkinshaw said. “It takes not just law enforcement but nonprofits, members of the community, the public defenders office, and so many other folks coming together to work together to ensure this community continues to be a safe community.”
A message to prevent crime, but I don’t see any criminals there.
A message of inclusion to a completely homogeneous audience.
What a woke waste of time. Those law enforcement officers should be out enforcing the law.
How about teaching civic responsibility and how to interact with police? There should be a public school class on obeying police commands. Instead there are “know your rights” sessions which teach kids to disobey the police.
On a comment section full of trash takes, this is one of the trashiest I’ve seen. Racist dog whistles, yup. Calling anything you don’t agree with or understand woke, damn right. Bootlicking, mmm boot. Buckets full of privilege, oh you betcha. Congrats Kim. This is impressive stuff
I don’t see anything remotely controversial about Kim’s comments. Seems like analysis based in fact, to me! Since when is civic responsibility trashy or racist? But that’s just my opinion. Love and peace. ya’ll.
The use of “woke” is so pathetic. Ron is correct, it’s an overly used word by folks who watch Fox News for anything they don’t agree with culturally.
The purpose of the event was to build community and help everyone work together to potentially create a safer place to live. Her take was indeed garbage and completely missed the point.
The community aspect of event is appreciated, the reference to “woke” seems out of place here. However the suggestion of teaching civic responsibility and how to interact with police is greatly needed. There should be a public school class on civility to self, others, and especially to authority (police, judges, military, teachers, etc.). Our responsibilities to our government and be polite or at least civil are just as (if not more important) than knowing just your rights. Pushing just individuals rights has been a focus for decades. While our institutions and instructions have only recently start to include more on responsibilities – & then more in community service than responsibilities to the republic.
When everyone is presented with positive experiences with police officers respect can develop and increase for the law. The law is not a dead thing but is intended to teach that each person is valuable and to be treasured as such.
How anyone can be against this kind of outreach program is beyond me. It’s good to see police officers out in the community, connecting with citizens, and passing along tips on crime prevention.