Fairfax County is putting together a comprehensive plan for public safety in the county’s use of unmanned aircraft and is looking for public feedback.

The Fairfax County Unmanned Aircraft Systems program is a proposal to incorporate drones into government operations, with a particular focus on public safety. The draft says examples of drone usage includes:

• Search and rescue
• Flooding assessments
• Pre- and post-disaster damage assessments
• Crash reconstruction
• Fire incident/scene management and investigations
• Hazardous materials responses
• Wildlife estimation

The draft also says the drones would not be used to conduct random surveillance activities or to harass individuals.

Six public meetings are scheduled to discuss the issue with representatives of the Office of Emergency Management, county attorney’s office, police and fire and rescue department. Presentations at each of the meetings are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

• Jan. 14, 2019 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
  Mason District Governmental Center (Community Room)
  6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale
• Jan. 16, 2019 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
  South County Governmental Center (Room 221C)
  8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria
• Jan. 23, 2019 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
  McLean District Governmental Center
  1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean
• Jan. 24, 2019 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
  Sully District Governmental Center
  4900 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly
• Jan. 28, 2019 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
  Reston Community Center – Hunter Woods
  2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston
• Jan. 30, 2019 (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)
  Braddock Hall – Kings Park Library
  9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke

Public comments can also be submitted to [email protected] before close-of-business on Feb. 8 to be included in the written record.

Photo via Flickr/Joe Loong

Fairfax County Police are reminding residents to lock their doors after a wave of burglaries hit the McLean, Reston, and Fair Oaks Districts.

“The burglaries have primarily been during the early afternoon and evening hours,” FCPD said in a press release. “The majority of victims have been of Asian or Middle Eastern descent. Detectives are investigating whether all of these incidents are connected and whether other burglaries from across Fairfax County are related.”

At least 13 burglaries have taken place in Fairfax over the last two months at the following residences:

• 5200 block of Knight Arch Circle, Fairfax
• 11800 block of Robertson Farm Circle, Fairfax
• 11800 block of Robertson Farm Circle, Fairfax
• 11800 block of Robertson Farm Circle, Fairfax
• 4800 block of Annamohr Drive, Fairfax
• 11300 block of Andrew Lane, Fairfax
• 11300 block of Andrew Lane, Fairfax
• 1100 block of Mountain Hope Court, Great Falls
• 200 block of Golden Woods Court, Great Falls
• 1100 block of Lees Meadow Court, Great Falls
• 1200 block of Raymond Avenue, McLean
• 3500 block of Saint Augustin Lane, Oakton
• 9600 block of Maymont Drive, Vienna

“We are also working alongside the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and Manassas City Police Department who are investigating similar cases,” FCPD said. “Please be on the lookout for suspicious people, cars and noises. Do not hesitate to call our non-emergency number, 703-691-2131, to report suspicious activity or 911 for an emergency.”

In the meantime, FCPD released a list of tips to help people protect their homes from burglary:

• Keep all doors and windows closed and locked.
• Secure sliding glass doors by placing a metal rod or a wooden dowel rod in the track.
• Lock the door to an attached garage.
• Make your residence appear occupied, even when no one is home, to help deter criminals.
• Keep the perimeter of your home well lit.
• Have a trusted neighbor collect mail and newspapers while you are away.
• Keep landscaping trimmed away from entrances and walkways.
• Organize or join a Neighborhood Watch program.
• Get a free home security check from a Crime Prevention Officer.
• Keep an inventory of your property.
• Store ladders, tools and any other outside objects in a locked shed or garage.
• Make sure the home’s address is visible for police, firemen and paramedics.

A man who was unloading his handgun near Silver Diner in Tysons accidentally shot himself Wednesday morning.

The shooting happened “outside of a business” on the 8100 block of Fletcher Street, just before 9:30 a.m., according to police. That block is home to Silver Diner and a Capital One Bank branch, though an FCPD spokesperson said the department “[does] not include the business if it was not directly involved.”

The man shot himself in the leg, suffering non-life-threatening injuries.

“A witness and officers rendered aid,” police said in a crime report. “He was taken to a local hospital with injuries that are not life threatening.”

“Officers confirmed the man lawfully possessed the gun,” the crime report added. “The Office of the Commonwealth Attorney will be consulted for any possible charges.”

Map via Google Maps

Two women in their 20s were arrested at Tysons Corner Center Tuesday night and now face a dozen criminal charges apiece.

Police say the women, both 27 and from California, used a stolen credit card to buy merchandise and then returned it to a store in the mall for credit to their personal accounts. Police were called and followed the women as they ran out of the store, according to Fairfax County Police.

“The officers followed and arrested both women,” FCPD said in a crime report. The pair “were found to have numerous stolen credit cards in their possession” and “charged with eight counts of credit card theft, two counts of defrauding a merchant, receiving goods from credit card, and identity fraud.”

Silver Line Phase 2 Could Be Delayed — “Nearly 300 cracks have formed in buildings at the new Metro facility that will house and maintain railcars for the Silver Line extension to Dulles Airport and Loudoun County, News4 has learned. In addition, the rail yard project, located on airport grounds, will be delayed because of significant construction and contract issues. That’s leading to concerns that the entire Silver Line project will face yet another setback.” [NBC 4]

Addressing Anxiety in McLean — “As part of a yearlong focus on anxiety, the Safe Community Coalition (SCC), in conjunction with the McLean High School PTSA, hosted the IndieFlix Original documentary “Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety” on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, at McLean High School.” [McLean Connection]

Mover Accused of Stealing from Home — “A moving crew was helping move items into one room of a home in [Vienna] between 12:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. The resident believed one of the movers had been acting suspiciously. After the moving crew left, the resident found jewelry missing from the home.” [Patch]

(Updated 7:20 a.m.) Fairfax County Police say a pizza delivery driver was finishing up a delivery on Monday in the Gates of McLean neighborhood in Tysons East when he saw a man climb into the car and drive off.

According to a crime report, the theft took place around 10 p.m. The vehicle was unlocked with the keys in the ignition and the engine on while the delivery driver went up to the residence to drop off the food.

“While returning to his vehicle, he saw a man get in his car and drive off,” FCPD said.

“Officers found the car with the man sitting in the driver’s seat. Stolen property belonging to a resident that lived nearby was located inside of the vehicle as well,” said police. “Michael Louk, 47, no fixed address, was charged with auto theft, vehicle trespassing, and grand larceny.”

Photo courtesy Fairfax County Police Department

Agora Restaurant Update — Mediterranean restaurant Agora is “putting the finishing touches on a second location that will land in Tysons Corner near Founding Farmers in February (7911 Westpark Drive).” [Eater]

Hallucinating Man Causes Early Morning Scene — Residents near the Fairlee neighborhood “called for help when they saw a man yelling outside of their building. Officers arrived and discovered the man was hallucinating after taking drugs. The man continued to yell and refused to follow the officers’ instructions. The man then tried to run away but was caught, arrested, and taken to a local hospital as a precaution.” [FCPD]

Vienna Getting New A/V Gear — “Vienna Town Council members on Dec. 10 approved a $164,187 contract with Human Circuit to provide upgraded audio-visual capabilities for the town government’s cable channel. Four years have elapsed since the town did a major upgrade of its audio-visual equipment, said Information Technology Director Tony Mull.” [InsideNova]

Senators Try to Intervene for Farm — “As operations wind down at Claude Moore Colonial Farm following a contract dispute between the National Park Service (NPS) and the farm’s friends group, both of Virginia’s U.S. senators are asking for an yearlong extension so the parties can try to hammer out an agreement.” [InsideNova, Patch]

Vienna Council Wants Marco Polo Demolished — “The vacated Marco Polo Restaurant fell into disrepair before it burned down Oct. 14 in a blaze allegedly set by a pair of teenage arsonists. Vienna Town Council members on Dec. 10 urged town officials to step up their efforts to have the building’s charred remains demolished and removed.” [InsideNova]

FCPD Looking for Local Missing Man — Fairfax County Police are looking for a 35-year-old man who went missing after last been seen “near the 2200 block of Mohegan Drive in Falls Church.” He was wearing a black turban and jogging pants and is “considered endangered,” according to police. [Twitter]

NBC 4 Reports on Jones Branch Connector — “A brand new bridge is about to open above the Beltway in Tysons. But, it symbolizes more than just a bridge — it’s part of a larger plan to ‘knit’ Tysons together. [Twitter]

Final Week for Claude Moore Farm — “Absent a last-minute reprieve — a short extension of the management agreement to permit re-introduction of bills in the new Congress — The Farm will be closed and NPS will allow a reasonable period for the nonprofit to remove all structures and other property from the premises. ” [Connection Newspapers]

Burglary in McLean — “Officers responded for the report of an open door. They found someone broke into the home and ransacked the residence.” [FCPD]

Ribbon Cutting for new Capital One HQ — “Dignitaries, including Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Fairfax County Board Supervisor Sharon Bulova attended a Thursday afternoon ribbon-cutting and ceremony to mark the official grand opening of Capital One Headquarters II, the Washington area’s tallest occupied office building.” [WTOP]

Flickr pool photo by Bigbirdz

This Saturday, the McLean Police District Station is hosting a “Stuff the Cruiser” food drive.

The cruiser will be located at the Giant Food at 1454 Chain Bridge Road. The idea is to bring enough food and other goods to fill one of the Fairfax County Police Department’s cruisers. The supplies will be donated to the Share of McLean Food Pantry.

Share of McLean is a nonprofit organization established in 1969 to meet the needs of those less fortunate in McLean and surrounding Northern Virginia localities. The organization is all-volunteer and relies on donations. In addition to the food pantry, the organization also collects clothes and furniture to give to those in need.

According to their website, the organization distributes 700 bags of groceries and 200 bags of clothing each month.

If you are unable to attend the food drive on Saturday, the organization also accepts food donations at the McLean Baptist Church on 1367 Chain Bridge Rd, Wednesdays through Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Police say the food drive currently needs:

• Breakfast cereal
• Applesauce
• Canned vegetables
• Canned foods
• Canned pasts sauce
• White sugar
• White rice
• Dried beans
• Vegetable oil
• Crackers and snacks
• Macaroni and cheese
• Granola bars
• Dried pasta
• Single toothbrushes
• Shampoo
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toilet paper
• Baby wipes
• Diapers
• Laundry soap

Photo via Twitter