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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has the county been actively reducing the policing around the Shelton? I'm not one of those people who think policing is the solution to every problem, but there seems to have been an uptick in incidents over the past year and I'm wondering if this is the result of any changes to ACPD policy.

I don't want to say they have been actively reducing the policing but they have specifically said that they are very hesitant to over police the area. I have heard officers say that they will not go after folks for marijuana or alcohol use there (this was before marijuana was legal) and there are people openly drinking and doing drugs in that area (like there is no attempt to hide it). Anyway, the conversation I had with the officer about this was in 2018, so before the current climate.

[Anonymous]

has there been a correlation made between the shooters being residents of the Shelton? It seems like a lot of posters are indicating that is where the issues are coming from, is that accurate? What’s with this building and why do people think it’s such a problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:has there been a correlation made between the shooters being residents of the Shelton? It seems like a lot of posters are indicating that is where the issues are coming from, is that accurate? What’s with this building and why do people think it’s such a problem?

'
The infamous line when any crime occurs in GV is "but the criminal was from MD (or a different neighborhood not GV!" The most recent shooter was from Arlington but I don't know where he lived specifically. Folks name the Shelton because it is right across the street. I think folks blame the affordable housing complexes (there are three in the immediate vicinity), rightfully or wrongfully because crime is often associated with affordable housing ESPECIALLY when concentrated into one area.

I don't know where all the folks are from or if they live in GV or not, but for some reason that spot has become attractive to folks. In the past, there have been other pockets in the neighborhood that were trouble, but most of those are gone now with people moving/dying/going to jail. The last remaining spot seems to be in front of the Shelton. But that area was a hang out spot long before the Shelton existed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has the county been actively reducing the policing around the Shelton? I'm not one of those people who think policing is the solution to every problem, but there seems to have been an uptick in incidents over the past year and I'm wondering if this is the result of any changes to ACPD policy.

I don't want to say they have been actively reducing the policing but they have specifically said that they are very hesitant to over police the area. I have heard officers say that they will not go after folks for marijuana or alcohol use there (this was before marijuana was legal) and there are people openly drinking and doing drugs in that area (like there is no attempt to hide it). Anyway, the conversation I had with the officer about this was in 2018, so before the current climate.

Here's my analysis of how pressure is (or is not as in this case) being applied: Individual Residents raise issues to Civic Association --> Civic Association engages county to address issues --> County engages police department to help address the issues ----> Issue is addressed.

So, the baseline is if the Civic Association won't act, there will not be meaningful change. The Civic Association has to feel compelled to act and represent all residents and all viewpoints in the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has the county been actively reducing the policing around the Shelton? I'm not one of those people who think policing is the solution to every problem, but there seems to have been an uptick in incidents over the past year and I'm wondering if this is the result of any changes to ACPD policy.

I don't want to say they have been actively reducing the policing but they have specifically said that they are very hesitant to over police the area. I have heard officers say that they will not go after folks for marijuana or alcohol use there (this was before marijuana was legal) and there are people openly drinking and doing drugs in that area (like there is no attempt to hide it). Anyway, the conversation I had with the officer about this was in 2018, so before the current climate.

Here's my analysis of how pressure is (or is not as in this case) being applied: Individual Residents raise issues to Civic Association --> Civic Association engages county to address issues --> County engages police department to help address the issues ----> Issue is addressed.

So, the baseline is if the Civic Association won't act, there will not be meaningful change. The Civic Association has to feel compelled to act and represent all residents and all viewpoints in the neighborhood.

Yeah I agree with that. I dont know that they represent everyone though....

[Anonymous]

a bike ride?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has the county been actively reducing the policing around the Shelton? I'm not one of those people who think policing is the solution to every problem, but there seems to have been an uptick in incidents over the past year and I'm wondering if this is the result of any changes to ACPD policy.

I don't want to say they have been actively reducing the policing but they have specifically said that they are very hesitant to over police the area. I have heard officers say that they will not go after folks for marijuana or alcohol use there (this was before marijuana was legal) and there are people openly drinking and doing drugs in that area (like there is no attempt to hide it). Anyway, the conversation I had with the officer about this was in 2018, so before the current climate.

Here's my analysis of how pressure is (or is not as in this case) being applied: Individual Residents raise issues to Civic Association --> Civic Association engages county to address issues --> County engages police department to help address the issues ----> Issue is addressed.

So, the baseline is if the Civic Association won't act, there will not be meaningful change. The Civic Association has to feel compelled to act and represent all residents and all viewpoints in the neighborhood.

Yeah I agree with that. I dont know that they represent everyone though....

Their messaging to date has been to endorse one viewpoint and approach. There needs to be additional engagement and push from more community members. They need to understand that this is a problem. The County Board should also be contacted if the Civic Association refuses to address these serious issues. Enough is enough, someone needs to be in charge, and the Civic Association and County Board can only play hot potato for so long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:a bike ride?

? what is this in reference to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: know the school board is considering moving more neighborhoods to Drew. Who from these new neighborhoods is going to send their kids to Drew when there is constant gun firing in the neighborhood and no one seems to care?

That's right. The boundary process is around the corner

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Email the county board about your Concerns. Email the green valley civic association about your concerns. The county cannot continue to turn a blind eye to this ridiculousness.

There are certainly additional actions they can take:

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)


We live in green valley and have advocated A LOT on these issues. More people need to speak up and force the county’s hand.

In regards to number 2: people will be upset because they don't want more police. APS should just contract that issue out to Advance Towing.

[Anonymous]

That’s a great idea- send Advance Towing!

Wait till part of Fairlington gets redistricting or will the Board punt again abs leave Drew underenrolled?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Email the county board about your Concerns. Email the green valley civic association about your concerns. The county cannot continue to turn a blind eye to this ridiculousness.

There are certainly additional actions they can take:

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)


We live in green valley and have advocated A LOT on these issues. More people need to speak up and force the county’s hand.

In regards to number 2: people will be upset because they don't want more police. APS should just contract that issue out to Advance Towing.

Who cares? No really. who cares what a bunch of people up to no good want?

no the police shouldn't harass people but they should be present every single day, 24/7. Put a outpost there if need be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Email the county board about your Concerns. Email the green valley civic association about your concerns. The county cannot continue to turn a blind eye to this ridiculousness.

There are certainly additional actions they can take:

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)


We live in green valley and have advocated A LOT on these issues. More people need to speak up and force the county’s hand.

In regards to number 2: people will be upset because they don't want more police. APS should just contract that issue out to Advance Towing.

Who cares? No really. who cares what a bunch of people up to no good want?

no the police shouldn't harass people but they should be present every single day, 24/7. Put a outpost there if need be.

Yes. If the choice is between more bullets, or more police, then it seems like a no brainer to pick "more police"!

The ones who feel over policed are the same ones involved in these incidents, so, do they not care if they are dying? Or is just if other people care about not dying that it becomes problematic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Email the county board about your Concerns. Email the green valley civic association about your concerns. The county cannot continue to turn a blind eye to this ridiculousness.

There are certainly additional actions they can take:

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)


We live in green valley and have advocated A LOT on these issues. More people need to speak up and force the county’s hand.

In regards to number 2: people will be upset because they don't want more police. APS should just contract that issue out to Advance Towing.

Who cares? No really. who cares what a bunch of people up to no good want?

no the police shouldn't harass people but they should be present every single day, 24/7. Put a outpost there if need be.

Yes. If the choice is between more bullets, or more police, then it seems like a no brainer to pick "more police"!

The ones who feel over policed are the same ones involved in these incidents, so, do they not care if they are dying? Or is just if other people care about not dying that it becomes problematic?

This is a question I have no idea how to answer but the Civic Association seems pretty set on the idea that there is nothing to be done. They don't want the police there. They don't believe more police will reduce crime. They don't feel the police will make the safer and there are some studies that show more police doesn't reduce crime..BUT the Civic Association also doesn't offer up any solution. So I feel very defeated....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Email the county board about your Concerns. Email the green valley civic association about your concerns. The county cannot continue to turn a blind eye to this ridiculousness.

There are certainly additional actions they can take:

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)


We live in green valley and have advocated A LOT on these issues. More people need to speak up and force the county’s hand.

In regards to number 2: people will be upset because they don't want more police. APS should just contract that issue out to Advance Towing.

Who cares? No really. who cares what a bunch of people up to no good want?

no the police shouldn't harass people but they should be present every single day, 24/7. Put a outpost there if need be.

Yes. If the choice is between more bullets, or more police, then it seems like a no brainer to pick "more police"!

The ones who feel over policed are the same ones involved in these incidents, so, do they not care if they are dying? Or is just if other people care about not dying that it becomes problematic?

This is a question I have no idea how to answer but the Civic Association seems pretty set on the idea that there is nothing to be done. They don't want the police there. They don't believe more police will reduce crime. They don't feel the police will make the safer and there are some studies that show more police doesn't reduce crime..BUT the Civic Association also doesn't offer up any solution. So I feel very defeated....

Easy - home owners form their own Covid association, drum up support from the nearby neighborhoods, start making a lot of noise and complaints, hire private security, honestly whatever it takes

The people who live there and are terrified of the violence will thank you and the others can move along to somewhere else