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Message from Supervisor McKay

The late December snowfall was record-setting and the long term forecast is for active winter weather. Please note that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and not Fairfax County is responsible for snow removal. However, my office is always available to contact VDOT on your behalf. If our office is closed, you can leave a message on our answering machine (703-971-6262) or send an email to --we monitor messages. If you prefer to call VDOT directly, the number is 703-383-8368.

Fairfax County Snow Removal Information

You’ll find general information about VDOT and winter preparedness on the County’s Winter Weather Preparedness web page.
Please keep the following information handy.

Who Plows Fairfax County Streets?
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responsible for plowing public roads in Fairfax County. (Note that many streets in townhouse communities and newer subdivisions are private and are not plowed by VDOT. Snow removal on these roads is the responsibility of the property owner or homeowner association.) Plowing is prioritized with interstates and high volume roads cleared first. Once the most heavily traveled roads and emergency routes are clear, plows move into less traveled roads and subdivisions. (If you are unsure if a road is public, look for a route number sign posted at street intersections.) The VDOT number to report streets that need plowing is 703-383-8368.

Who is Responsible for clearing snow from Neighborhood Sidewalks?
Neither the state nor the county clears snow and ice from public sidewalks and trails.

Please be a good neighbor and remove snow and ice from your sidewalks as soon as possible.
For additional information about snow removal in Fairfax County, check out the Snow FAQS on the Fairfax County website.

New Parking Regulations

I am pleased to report that in December, the Board of Supervisors implemented new parking regulations to improve vehicle and pedestrian safety. Here are the highlights; more details are available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/parkingcodechanges.htm

Intersections and crosswalks: Parking is prohibited within 20 feet of an intersection or a crosswalk.

Parking of commercial vehicles: Commercial vehicles may not park on public residential streets if they are more than 21 feet long, or 8 feet high, or 102 inches or more wide. They may not have a gross vehicle weight exceeding 12,000 lbs., carry commercial freight in plain view, or have three or more axles. Trailers or semitrailers are also prohibited. After a warning period, tickets will be issued to violators, starting in March.

Exceptions: public service vehicles, school buses, private vehicles with disability plates, cable service vehicles, propane gas service vehicles, and rental/moving vehicles within 48 hours of leasing.

Parking a vehicle on a public street: Front and back license plates and a current safety inspection sticker are now required.

Lee District Community Parking District (CPD): In November, following a year of community input and study, Lee District joined Mount Vernon and Reston in establishing a community-wide parking district (CPD) that prohibits boats and RVs from parking on public residential streets. Illegally parked boats/RVs will be ticketed, and then towed. Residents may continue to park their boats and RVs in their driveways or storage facilities.
 

News From Neighborhood Watch

Information & Tips From Our Crime Prevention Officer

Fatal Crash in Lorton Area  
Franconia Police District – Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred around 4:50 a.m. Thursday, December 24. The victim, Robert D. Nolen, 22, of Lorton was a front seat passenger in a 2009 Chevy Malibu that was traveling westbound on the Franconia-Springfield Parkway near Frontier Drive. Police believe the driver was traveling in excess of the posted speed limit when he struck a snow bank on the shoulder of the road, vaulted over a jersey barrier, struck a dump truck and came to rest on the driver’s side. The victim was ejected and died on the scene of the crash.
The driver of the crash was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Police charged the driver, of Newark, New Jersey, with involuntary manslaughter. Police believe that alcohol and speed were factors in the crash.

Police Warn Shovelers to Increase Awareness  
Mount Vernon Police District – Police are investigating at least two burglary cases in the Belle Haven area of Fairfax County in which thieves appear to be targeting homes where residents are outside doing yard work.  
Most recently, a 56-year-old woman’s home was burglarized on Monday, December 21 while she was outside shoveling snow, following the region’s record snowfall. A thief shoved open a side door in the 6000 block of Woodmont Road around noon, trekked through multiple rooms, and stole credit cards from the victim’s purse. The thief subsequently used the cards extensively in Potomac Yards retail center.
In an incident on November 18, a thief entered a home in the 6000 block of Edgewood Terrace and stole credit cards from a 64-year-old woman’s purse. The victim had been outside working in her yard all afternoon, and had not locked her doors. The thief, in that case too, went to numerous retail stores and used the victim’s credit cards.
In both cases, the suspect is described as a male, black, and in his late 20s. He is approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighs around 200 pounds.
Police remind residents, across Fairfax County, to secure their doors when they are not present in their home; even if they are in their own yards or visiting nearby neighbors.

Child Assaulted at Park
Franconia Police District - A 7-year-old boy was assaulted around 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, December 12, at Lee District Park, located at 6601 Telegraph Road. The boy went into a bathroom where he was confronted by a man who then allegedly assaulted him. After leaving the bathroom, the boy told his mother what happened and she summoned police. Several citizens kept the suspect in sight until police arrived and took him into custody. The victim was not injured.
The suspect was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and charged.
Detectives are asking parents who are concerned that the suspect may have engaged in inappropriate conduct with their children, or those who may have been a victim themselves, to call police. The investigation continues and additional charges are possible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.