New Mason District police commander outlines priorities
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The top priority of the Mason Police District’s new commander, Capt.
David Smith, is to focus on the “business practices” of running the station, he
told local residents at a meeting of the station’s Citizen Advisory Committee
(CAC) Feb. 4. His first order of business is ensuring there are enough trained
officers to cover three shifts a day, which is challenging when an increasing number of officers
are retiring.
Smith intends to focus on “maintaining a high level of
morale and productivity,” so he doesn’t expect to have a lot of time to devote
to public relations activities, although he does plan to meet with community
groups whenever possible.
morale and productivity,” so he doesn’t expect to have a lot of time to devote
to public relations activities, although he does plan to meet with community
groups whenever possible.
Smith has been with the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD)
for 21 years, starting as a patrol officer with the West Springfield Police District. Before taking command of the Mason station in early January, he’d
been assistant director of the Fairfax
County Criminal Justice Training Academy.
Other positions he’s held at FCPD include stints at the
motor squad and the Internal Affairs Bureau; supervisory positions with the sex
crimes, cold case, and homicide units; assistant commander of the Franconia
station; and assistant commander of the intel division.
motor squad and the Internal Affairs Bureau; supervisory positions with the sex
crimes, cold case, and homicide units; assistant commander of the Franconia
station; and assistant commander of the intel division.
“I’m very excited to come here. This is a busy station,” Smith
said. He praised the Mason station’s officers, noting that his job “is to motivate
people, but these guys don’t need much motivating.”
said. He praised the Mason station’s officers, noting that his job “is to motivate
people, but these guys don’t need much motivating.”
Members of the station’s midnight A squad stood at the
back of the room as Smith congratulated them for winning by a huge margin a county-wide competition
on drunk-driving arrests. The Mason squad made 109 DWI arrests in December 2013,
while the second-place station, Mt. Vernon, only made 50.
back of the room as Smith congratulated them for winning by a huge margin a county-wide competition
on drunk-driving arrests. The Mason squad made 109 DWI arrests in December 2013,
while the second-place station, Mt. Vernon, only made 50.
The Mason station also has a brand new assistant commander, 1st
Lt. Michael Grinnan, who had been reassigned from the FCPD Traffic Division.
Grinnan is the father of 11-year-old quadruplets.
Lt. Michael Grinnan, who had been reassigned from the FCPD Traffic Division.
Grinnan is the father of 11-year-old quadruplets.
Second Lt. Joe Flynn, newly promoted to criminal
investigations supervisor at the Mason station, talked about some of the major crimes
in Mason over the past few weeks, including several arrests for
prostitution/human trafficking. Those cases involved tips from neighbors who
noticed unusual activity at apartments in Seven Corners and Bailey’s
Crossroads. “We don’t have a major problem with prostitution here,” he assured the
CAC.
investigations supervisor at the Mason station, talked about some of the major crimes
in Mason over the past few weeks, including several arrests for
prostitution/human trafficking. Those cases involved tips from neighbors who
noticed unusual activity at apartments in Seven Corners and Bailey’s
Crossroads. “We don’t have a major problem with prostitution here,” he assured the
CAC.
In general, “we haven’t seen any major patterns” of criminal
activity in recent weeks, Flynn said; “It’s mostly been crimes of opportunity.”
For example, he cited an incident involving grand larceny and drugs at Woodburn
Village Drive and another case in the same location involving robbery and use of a
firearm, which later turned out to be a BB gun.
activity in recent weeks, Flynn said; “It’s mostly been crimes of opportunity.”
For example, he cited an incident involving grand larceny and drugs at Woodburn
Village Drive and another case in the same location involving robbery and use of a
firearm, which later turned out to be a BB gun.
Other arrests involved a 15-year-old who stole a laptop from
a house, several incidents involving items stolen from unlocked cars, and the
theft of wheels from a Corvette and Chevy Suburban. The police have a suspect and expect to make arrests soon in
cases dealing with thefts TJ Maxx and Marshalls in Bailey’s Crossroads. The
thieves have been targeting Michael Kors bags.
a house, several incidents involving items stolen from unlocked cars, and the
theft of wheels from a Corvette and Chevy Suburban. The police have a suspect and expect to make arrests soon in
cases dealing with thefts TJ Maxx and Marshalls in Bailey’s Crossroads. The
thieves have been targeting Michael Kors bags.
The series of break-ins and burglaries that affected several
Annandale neighborhoods last fall seems to be over, he said, since a suspect was caught during a manhunt in November. A bystander, Joe
Brygger, who was installing windows on a house, tackled a suspect being chased by police. It turned out the suspect was wanted by another jurisdiction for unrelated crimes and hasn’t been officially connected with the
burglaries, but there haven’t been any break-ins since he was arrested.
Annandale neighborhoods last fall seems to be over, he said, since a suspect was caught during a manhunt in November. A bystander, Joe
Brygger, who was installing windows on a house, tackled a suspect being chased by police. It turned out the suspect was wanted by another jurisdiction for unrelated crimes and hasn’t been officially connected with the
burglaries, but there haven’t been any break-ins since he was arrested.
6 responses to “New Mason District police commander outlines priorities”
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Welcome to Capt. David Smith and Lt. Michael Grinnan! Mason Dist residents invited to attend the next regular CAC mtg on Tues., March 4, to meet them and share any of your concerns.
Wasn't a twelve year old boy stabbed at 7 corners shopping center in early January? Not much info on that…
I can't be the only one who finds the concept of police having an arrest competition a little disturbing.
Agreed. Minimum arrest quotas have been held unconstitutional; a competition is just a half-step short of that.
Capt. Smith has agreed to attend the March meeting of Lincolnia Park Civic Association. He's also agreed to do a ride through of the neighborhood with residents.
Does Capt David Smith believe in enforcing antipollution laws like Virginia's Article 41 and Fairfax County law 103-3-10, which are enacted to protect us from the constant pumping out of cancer-causing diesel fumes by commercial vehicles while idling. Every parking lot, especially one with a fast food joint, is continually infested by commercial vehicle operators who opt to eat their breakfast or lunch in the comfort of their cabs, idling the engine while downing their meal, instead of turning off the truck. It never occurs to them that they are poisoning the entire area as well as the planet with their fumes.There are 3003 Va residents dying of Lower Respiratory Diseases a year, caused by pollution. Why would you not enforce laws that are already in the books if it means protecting public health? Do you need the illegal idling to be accompanied by drugs or sex to get involved?