Will APS and County ever do anything about all the gun activity near Drew Elementary school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in Green Valley and was actually at a party the night this happened. The police raided a house across from our party looking for folks but no one was found. However, I never felt in danger. I guess you do get used to it.

I am not sure what there is to do. They set a curfew in the park. they set up lights. They have police that regularly hang out in the drew park on weekend nights. It still happens.

oh wow you are so cool and woke look at you!

what will make you care? Will it matter when a kid gets shot? Or your house gets shot into? Or if the victim is your kid? What is enough to actually make you care? What about your kids? Do you think it is fun to grow up with shootings around their home? Do you realize that violence in a neighborhood is associated with issues at school? Will you be as woke when the school says oh we understand if your child doesn’t learn much, after all we know what kind of environment she is from ..

I didn't say it wasn't a problem. I was explaining the reaction from folks. I can assure you I know about the school as I live 3 doors down from it and a few years ago my neighbor's house was shot at. This is my neighborhood so I and my kids do grow up with shootings around our home. I do not like it. I just was pointing out it is easy to become accustomed to it. Not that it is excusable. But when you live here. It is easy to feel like there are two neighborhoods in one and the two rarely mix.

I do think the police are doing a lot. I am going to assume you are not from here since you don't seem to know what the police are doing.
We have neighborhood meetings with the police. They patrol the neighborhood and the area around Drew Park. As I said they put in a curfews they beefed up lighting and security cameras. They hold multiple events with the police and neighborhood each year. The neighbor

I am not sure what you want the solution to be. There are two ways to get a change to happen fast. Close the school and move it elsewhere or close down the affordable housing complexes (since that is where the vast majority of the violence is coming from). None of those solve the real problem that you are going to have to address deep ingrained societal norms regarding violence and poverty and drugs. Which isn't something that will change overnight.

It is my neighborhood and I love it. I dont want their to be shootings but it isn't a simple thing that can be fixed.

Different green valley resident who posted above. Actual actions that can be immediately taken if the county chooses to do so:

1. Enforce the park hours of Drew park. The park is listed as closing at 8:00 pm. Provide Parks and Rec staff to enforce that closure.

2. Convert the street parking in the vicinity around the Shelton to a no parking zone from 6:00 pm- 6:00 am., Enable the police to ticket or tow violators.

3. Enforce the noise control ordinance for Arlington County in the vicinity surrounding the Shelton. It is obviously violated on a near daily basis. (Arlington County Code § 15-6)


Email the county board about your Concerns. Email the green valley civic association. Advocate for these things!

I think they are enforcing the curfew. I have seen them kicking people out (police not parks and rec). Do you really thinking changing the parking will help.? Won't they just move to another street and walk over?.

The noise ordinance could help but I never notice it being that noisy (minus fireworks, another issue). I also would appreciate the police handing out littering citations because I am tired of Drew being trashed. It's horrible.

People drive and park down there and blare their music for hours on end. Our house shakes because of the bass. My kid cannot sleep. Taking away the option to park as well as enforcing the noise ordinance would help with those issues.

Like I said, the park hours end at 8, so, it would make sense for the county to enforce that (and not just 11:00 on like the sign said for a while).

Okay I wasn't sure about the noise. I am on the other side of Drew so can't hear the noise directly. I will email the county about those ideas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in Green Valley and was actually at a party the night this happened. The police raided a house across from our party looking for folks but no one was found. However, I never felt in danger. I guess you do get used to it.

I am not sure what there is to do. They set a curfew in the park. they set up lights. They have police that regularly hang out in the drew park on weekend nights. It still happens.

oh wow you are so cool and woke look at you!

what will make you care? Will it matter when a kid gets shot? Or your house gets shot into? Or if the victim is your kid? What is enough to actually make you care? What about your kids? Do you think it is fun to grow up with shootings around their home? Do you realize that violence in a neighborhood is associated with issues at school? Will you be as woke when the school says oh we understand if your child doesn’t learn much, after all we know what kind of environment she is from ..

I didn't say it wasn't a problem. I was explaining the reaction from folks. I can assure you I know about the school as I live 3 doors down from it and a few years ago my neighbor's house was shot at. This is my neighborhood so I and my kids do grow up with shootings around our home. I do not like it. I just was pointing out it is easy to become accustomed to it. Not that it is excusable. But when you live here. It is easy to feel like there are two neighborhoods in one and the two rarely mix.

I do think the police are doing a lot. I am going to assume you are not from here since you don't seem to know what the police are doing.
We have neighborhood meetings with the police. They patrol the neighborhood and the area around Drew Park. As I said they put in a curfews they beefed up lighting and security cameras. They hold multiple events with the police and neighborhood each year. The neighbor

I am not sure what you want the solution to be. There are two ways to get a change to happen fast. Close the school and move it elsewhere or close down the affordable housing complexes (since that is where the vast majority of the violence is coming from). None of those solve the real problem that you are going to have to address deep ingrained societal norms regarding violence and poverty and drugs. Which isn't something that will change overnight.

It is my neighborhood and I love it. I dont want their to be shootings but it isn't a simple thing that can be fixed.

I don't live in Green Valley, I live near Green Valley and I don't want your neighborhood violence and your blase and wokeness spilling over. And yes, I am aware that the police held some community meeting back in the summer and yet the same things are still happening. I am aware that people have captured shots fired on their ring cams as well. I am aware that the convivence store [thankfully torn down] was a drug store and no I don't mean like CVS. I am aware they are not putting in any retail there but rather a green space town center because no retailers would locate in that area and vacant retail space was just inviting more trouble. I am aware that there are a lot of people who hang out near the park that are there for the wrong reasons. And as far as the low income housing, yep, it needs to go and if you feel that it needs relocated, no problem, send it up to North Arlington.

[Anonymous]

This is so disturbing.

This is why Drew will never succeed.

I feel so sad for the kids.

I doubt APS and the CB will do anything.

[Anonymous]

The guy was arrested last night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is so disturbing.

This is why Drew will never succeed.

I feel so sad for the kids.

I doubt APS and the CB will do anything.

What on earth is APS supposed to do??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so disturbing.

This is why Drew will never succeed.

I feel so sad for the kids.

I doubt APS and the CB will do anything.

What on earth is APS supposed to do??

Engage with their County Board counterparts and push/advocate for actual changes to change the dynamic in that area directly next to the school! This isn't rocket science!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in Green Valley and was actually at a party the night this happened. The police raided a house across from our party looking for folks but no one was found. However, I never felt in danger. I guess you do get used to it.

I am not sure what there is to do. They set a curfew in the park. they set up lights. They have police that regularly hang out in the drew park on weekend nights. It still happens.

oh wow you are so cool and woke look at you!

what will make you care? Will it matter when a kid gets shot? Or your house gets shot into? Or if the victim is your kid? What is enough to actually make you care? What about your kids? Do you think it is fun to grow up with shootings around their home? Do you realize that violence in a neighborhood is associated with issues at school? Will you be as woke when the school says oh we understand if your child doesn’t learn much, after all we know what kind of environment she is from ..

I didn't say it wasn't a problem. I was explaining the reaction from folks. I can assure you I know about the school as I live 3 doors down from it and a few years ago my neighbor's house was shot at. This is my neighborhood so I and my kids do grow up with shootings around our home. I do not like it. I just was pointing out it is easy to become accustomed to it. Not that it is excusable. But when you live here. It is easy to feel like there are two neighborhoods in one and the two rarely mix.

I do think the police are doing a lot. I am going to assume you are not from here since you don't seem to know what the police are doing.
We have neighborhood meetings with the police. They patrol the neighborhood and the area around Drew Park. As I said they put in a curfews they beefed up lighting and security cameras. They hold multiple events with the police and neighborhood each year. The neighbor

I am not sure what you want the solution to be. There are two ways to get a change to happen fast. Close the school and move it elsewhere or close down the affordable housing complexes (since that is where the vast majority of the violence is coming from). None of those solve the real problem that you are going to have to address deep ingrained societal norms regarding violence and poverty and drugs. Which isn't something that will change overnight.

It is my neighborhood and I love it. I dont want their to be shootings but it isn't a simple thing that can be fixed.

I don't live in Green Valley, I live near Green Valley and I don't want your neighborhood violence and your blase and wokeness spilling over. And yes, I am aware that the police held some community meeting back in the summer and yet the same things are still happening. I am aware that people have captured shots fired on their ring cams as well. I am aware that the convivence store [thankfully torn down] was a drug store and no I don't mean like CVS. I am aware they are not putting in any retail there but rather a green space town center because no retailers would locate in that area and vacant retail space was just inviting more trouble. I am aware that there are a lot of people who hang out near the park that are there for the wrong reasons. And as far as the low income housing, yep, it needs to go and if you feel that it needs relocated, no problem, send it up to North Arlington.

Do you mean the history pharmacy?

Anyway this made me think of your post.

https://www.arlnow.com/2021/09/29/local-landmark-green-valley-pharmacy-to-reopen-as-restaurant/

[Anonymous]

*historic

[Anonymous]

Crickets on AEM on this issue.

Crickets here from the all APS schools are good schools folks.

Hashtag we can’t do anything about this because walkable schools but don’t worry I have a BLMatter and And All Are Welcome posters

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so disturbing.

This is why Drew will never succeed.

I feel so sad for the kids.

I doubt APS and the CB will do anything.

What on earth is APS supposed to do??

Engage with their County Board counterparts and push/advocate for actual changes to change the dynamic in that area directly next to the school! This isn't rocket science!

Yes, because the CB is famously responsive to requests from the SB.

To paraphrase one county board member, “if Arlington were given a billion dollars, I wouldn’t give a penny to APS.”

Maybe they are responsive to advocacy from some quarters, but not the SB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crickets on AEM on this issue.

Crickets here from the all APS schools are good schools folks.

Hashtag we can’t do anything about this because walkable schools but don’t worry I have a BLMatter and And All Are Welcome posters

Not sure what walkable schools has to do with it. I don't think the elementary school children are the issue. That area would still be a problem no matter who you zone to the school.

The fundamental issue is that concentrated poverty is not a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Crickets on AEM on this issue.

Crickets here from the all APS schools are good schools folks.

Hashtag we can’t do anything about this because walkable schools but don’t worry I have a BLMatter and And All Are Welcome posters

Not sure what walkable schools has to do with it. I don't think the elementary school children are the issue. That area would still be a problem no matter who you zone to the school.

The fundamental issue is that concentrated poverty is not a good idea.

I think this is the main issue. You are asking the county or APS to fix 60 plus years of neighbor dynamics (if not many more years). The county won't even tow illegally parked construction vehicles or fix broken signs in GV.

Living here problematic areas seem to change when people die, move or are arrested. The police are walking a VERY fine line regarding over policing but when the police used to regularly patrol the area I dont think things were better (maybe there were more arrests). I would love the county to provide some conflict/anger management sessions in Friday and Saturday nights. Maybe also procide/offer job counseling or vocational classes to the young folks down there. Oh and addiction counseling and help and support. But none of that will actually happen.

The county probably won't change parking or put in more lighting either

But the neighborhood fought very hard to get a neighborhood school there, they can't close it. They won't close the AFH but are building 900k townhomes next-door. It will gentrify eventually I imagine. I assume the county is waiting in that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Crickets on AEM on this issue.

Crickets here from the all APS schools are good schools folks.

Hashtag we can’t do anything about this because walkable schools but don’t worry I have a BLMatter and And All Are Welcome posters

Not sure what walkable schools has to do with it. I don't think the elementary school children are the issue. That area would still be a problem no matter who you zone to the school.

The fundamental issue is that concentrated poverty is not a good idea.

I think this is the main issue. You are asking the county or APS to fix 60 plus years of neighbor dynamics (if not many more years). The county won't even tow illegally parked construction vehicles or fix broken signs in GV.

Living here problematic areas seem to change when people die, move or are arrested. The police are walking a VERY fine line regarding over policing but when the police used to regularly patrol the area I dont think things were better (maybe there were more arrests). I would love the county to provide some conflict/anger management sessions in Friday and Saturday nights. Maybe also procide/offer job counseling or vocational classes to the young folks down there. Oh and addiction counseling and help and support. But none of that will actually happen.

The county probably won't change parking or put in more lighting either

But the neighborhood fought very hard to get a neighborhood school there, they can't close it. They won't close the AFH but are building 900k townhomes next-door. It will gentrify eventually I imagine. I assume the county is waiting in that.

I'm not entirely sure what conflict/anger management sessions would do....it expands beyond gun violence. It's litter in the neighborhood, it's yelling throughout the night, it's playing music loudly. The county can take measures (noted in replies above) to take action that enables them to address these issues and deter these types of behavior without just asking the police to sit on top of the neighborhood.

In my opinion, the county can pick--more gunshots, or more police/alternate actions to address these issues. They have no room to claim plausible deniability or naivete.

What needs to happen is for concerned individuals to contact the County Board, School Board, and Green Valley Civic Association and make their voices heard.

There's not a lot of room left to build in Arlington--and builders like lots that they can tear down and turn around--Green Valley has more of those things left than a lot of the county, so, gentrification will continue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Crickets on AEM on this issue.

Crickets here from the all APS schools are good schools folks.

Hashtag we can’t do anything about this because walkable schools but don’t worry I have a BLMatter and And All Are Welcome posters

Not sure what walkable schools has to do with it. I don't think the elementary school children are the issue. That area would still be a problem no matter who you zone to the school.

The fundamental issue is that concentrated poverty is not a good idea.

I think this is the main issue. You are asking the county or APS to fix 60 plus years of neighbor dynamics (if not many more years). The county won't even tow illegally parked construction vehicles or fix broken signs in GV.

Living here problematic areas seem to change when people die, move or are arrested. The police are walking a VERY fine line regarding over policing but when the police used to regularly patrol the area I dont think things were better (maybe there were more arrests). I would love the county to provide some conflict/anger management sessions in Friday and Saturday nights. Maybe also procide/offer job counseling or vocational classes to the young folks down there. Oh and addiction counseling and help and support. But none of that will actually happen.

The county probably won't change parking or put in more lighting either

But the neighborhood fought very hard to get a neighborhood school there, they can't close it. They won't close the AFH but are building 900k townhomes next-door. It will gentrify eventually I imagine. I assume the county is waiting in that.

What is the AFH?

God I hope it gentrifies sooner than later. This crap needs to stop. If people can’t behave, have them move out to Woodbridge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Crickets on AEM on this issue.

Crickets here from the all APS schools are good schools folks.

Hashtag we can’t do anything about this because walkable schools but don’t worry I have a BLMatter and And All Are Welcome posters

Not sure what walkable schools has to do with it. I don't think the elementary school children are the issue. That area would still be a problem no matter who you zone to the school.

The fundamental issue is that concentrated poverty is not a good idea.

I think this is the main issue. You are asking the county or APS to fix 60 plus years of neighbor dynamics (if not many more years). The county won't even tow illegally parked construction vehicles or fix broken signs in GV.

Living here problematic areas seem to change when people die, move or are arrested. The police are walking a VERY fine line regarding over policing but when the police used to regularly patrol the area I dont think things were better (maybe there were more arrests). I would love the county to provide some conflict/anger management sessions in Friday and Saturday nights. Maybe also procide/offer job counseling or vocational classes to the young folks down there. Oh and addiction counseling and help and support. But none of that will actually happen.

The county probably won't change parking or put in more lighting either

But the neighborhood fought very hard to get a neighborhood school there, they can't close it. They won't close the AFH but are building 900k townhomes next-door. It will gentrify eventually I imagine. I assume the county is waiting in that.

What is the AFH?

God I hope it gentrifies sooner than later. This crap needs to stop. If people can’t behave, have them move out to Woodbridge.

AFH= affordable housing.