March 4th, 2020
In This Issue:
  • Addressing Human Trafficking in the Over 100 IMBs in Fairfax County-Yesterday the Board approved my motion to establish a work group of Fairfax County agencies and non-profits to revise the County's massage ordinance and develop a plan to create a non-permissive environment for human trafficking starting with the more than 100 illicit massage businesses (IMBs) in Fairfax County and their over 170 victim workers. These illicit massage businesses have operated in plain sight and become safe havens for human trafficking. Regular, coordinated random inspections by County agencies and revised regulations will help us address these illicit businesses, fight human trafficking and get victims the help they need.
  • Coronavirus Update- Below I share some of the key points from yesterday's briefing by the Health Department. The situation is very fluid and will change. As of today, there has not been community spread in Fairfax County. Residents are encouraged not to panic, practice good hygiene, and have a plan. See below for more details and to view the Health Department's presentation.
  • Census - Be Counted Not Scammed- Starting tomorrow, the U.S. Census Bureau will mail letters to Fairfax County residents encouraging you to take the Census online. Please take the time to fully complete the Census. The Census will include questions about your birthday, ethnicity, and the people who live in your home, but the Census will not ask for your social security number, bank account or credit card information, or for a donation. 
  • Teen Job Fair Update- Last weekend, I hosted the first two of my annual Teen Job Fairs. Over 500 students attended the job fairs at South County High School and Woodson High School. I'm looking forward to hosting this Saturday's fair at Chantilly High School from 2 pm to 4 pm but will be taking the appropriate precautions and offering students and businesses alternative ways to connect.
  • Other Happenings
    • Auxiliary Police Officers Needed

Addressing Human Trafficking in the Over 100 IMBs in Fairfax County
Yesterday the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved my motion to establish a work group of Fairfax County agencies and non-profits to revise the County's massage ordinance and develop a plan to create a non-permissive environment for human trafficking-- starting with the more than 100 illicit massage businesses (IMBs) in Fairfax County and their over 170 victim workers. These illicit massage businesses have operated in plain sight and become safe havens for human trafficking. Regular, coordinated random inspections by county agencies and revised regulations will help us address these illicit businesses, fight human trafficking and get victims the help they need.
 
Human trafficking is a horrific crime that is nefarious in the many forms it takes. Illicit massage businesses (IMBs) are one of the largest forms of trafficking in the United States. These IMBs hide in plain sight in strip malls and business parks among legitimate businesses. It is estimated that there are 9,000 to 10,000 IMBs in the United States, with Virginia ranking in the top ten states with the highest number of IMBs.

County staff and nonprofit partners, including the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Initiative (HTI) and Heyrick Research, have gathered critical information regarding the scope of IMBs in Fairfax County and their operations. According to research from these sources there are more 100 IMBs with an estimate of over 170 victim workers in Fairfax County alone.
 
The continued existence of these businesses is simply unacceptable and just a piece of the human trafficking that exists in our County. While conducting its usual fire code and violation inspections, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Special Investigations Unit has gathered and brought particularly valuable information to light regarding the operations of these IMBs that further magnifies the extent of the IMBs and the impact on the safety of those being trafficked. The Police Department and Licensing and Regulations Branch, which licenses and regulates massage businesses in Fairfax County, have also gathered information on the operations of these illicit businesses.
 
During my multiple meetings with various County staff, the most common feedback on how we should address this issue is the need for a more coordinated approach to stop human trafficking, and more specifically in addressing IMBs. In addition to sharing resources and information between departments, I have received significant feedback on the need to strengthen the County's massage regulation ordinance that appears weak compared to other jurisdictions. The strengthening of this ordinance and increasing enforcement of other County policies and requirements are an opportunity to close the loopholes IMBs are taking advantage of while making sure we do not put an unnecessary burden on the many legitimate massage businesses that also operate in Fairfax County.
 
At yesterday's Board meeting, the Board approved my motion, made jointly with Supervisors Walter Alcorn and Rodney Lusk, to direct the County Executive to convene a working group with staff from the Health Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Police Department, Department of Licensing and Regulations, Department of Tax Administration, Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, Department of Code Compliance, the County Attorney's Office, as well as nonprofit partners to develop a coordinated plan to address IMBs and other forms of human trafficking in Fairfax County with the overall goal of creating a non-permissive environment.
 
The plan created by this group will be used to provide a platform for information sharing and changes to the County ordinance regulating massage businesses and relevant County code requirements. The County Executive will report back to the Board in two weeks and the proposed plan will come back before the Board within six months at a Public Safety Committee meeting. Our goal for this group would not only be to shut down these IMBs, but also to address and support the victims of human trafficking working in them. We've already begun conversations with our non-profit community who will be helpful in this effort.
 
It is possible to close these IMBs in Fairfax County and sustain a non-permissive environment so they can't exist here again. There are many jurisdictions that have significantly reduced or eliminated the presence of IMBs in their communities, including Washington, DC; Kent, WA; Aurora, CO; and San Jose, CA. I look forward to mobilizing the various departments, agencies, and our nonprofit community partners to effectively end the illicit massage industry in Fairfax County.

Coronavirus Update
The situation is very fluid and will change. As of today, there has not been community spread in Fairfax County. Residents are encouraged not to panic, to practice good hygiene and to have a plan. The Health Department has long been prepared for an outbreak if one should occur and encourages residents to practice good respiratory hygiene and social distancing.
 
In 2005 the Fairfax County Health Department created a plan for addressing future pandemics. This plan was successfully executed to mitigate the spread of the H1N1 outbreak in 2009 and the County is ready to implement it again. The Fairfax County Health Department is monitoring the developing situation and encouraging residents to:
  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • If a tissue is not available, cover your coughs and sneezes with your sleeve, not your hands.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick
  • Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes with unwashed hands.
  • Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others
It should also be noted that elderly residents are particularly at risk with Coronavirus - with fatality rates doubling for each ten years over age 60. Fatality rates are estimated to be between 1.5 and 3% of those that contract the disease. Please note that because the virus is new, researchers are still learning about the disease.
 
It is important that families and businesses make contingency plans now for the potential of a community wide spread of the disease. FCPS will be closed Monday, March 16so that they can update their plans for remote learning should that be needed at an individual school or ultimately happen countywide. I hope to have more information on how businesses can prepare soon. The County and Health Department web sites have information to help families plan.
 
For more ways to keep yourself healthy, for updates on the Coronavirus, and to see the Health Department's presentation to the Board, visit the County's Coronavirus webpage .

Census - Be Counted Not Scammed
Starting tomorrow, the U.S. Census Bureau will mail letters to Fairfax County residents encouraging you to take the Census online. Please take the time to fully complete the Census. Fairfax County could lose $1,200/ year for every person who isn't counted. However, it is important to know that scammers around the country will try to take advantage of this opportunity. The Census will include questions about your birthday, ethnicity, and the people who live in your home, but the Census will not ask for your social security number, bank account or credit card information, or for a donation. You can find more information here.

Teen Job Fair Update
Last weekend, I hosted the first two of my annual Teen Job Fairs with over 500 students, not counting parents and siblings, attending at South County High School and Woodson High School. We had over 50 businesses participate in each fair and had many students benefit from the resume building and interviewing workshops offered. I'm looking forward to hosting this Saturday's fair at Chantilly High School from 2pm to 4pm.
 

 
With ongoing concerns about the Coronavirus, we will be encouraging fair attendants not to shake hands and to wash hands before and after the fair to keep our community healthy. However, I encourage you to do what's best for you and your family in deciding whether to attend the fairs. To date, the Fairfax County Health Department has not identified community spread of the virus in Fairfax County, but if you are sick or have pre-existing conditions that make you more susceptible to illness, please do not attend the fair. If you elect not attend the fair for these reasons, I encourage you to reach out to visit my job fair webpage for a list of employers participating in the fairs or contact my office at springfieldbos@fairfaxcounty.gov.


Yesterday, the Board of Supervisors honored the South County football team and Coach Gerry Pannoni for being the Class 6 state champions 

Other News

Auxiliary Police Officers Needed


Are you interested in assisting our law enforcement officers? Do you have what it takes to meet the high standards to become an FCPD Auxiliary Police Officer? If you're at least 21 years old and interested, you can apply or find more information here

Teen Job Fair Coaching
 
The Department of Neighborhood and Community services is hosting an interview skills and resume building workshop on March 13 th at 6 pm at the Mott Community Center to help students prepare for the rest of my Teen Job and Opportunity Fairs. This event will be helpful to students but is not mandatory. Transportation is available for students. You can find more information here

Tax Relief Workshops

Mark your calendars! On Wednesday, March 25 th from 10 am to 2 pm, the Department of Tax Administration will be at my West Springfield Office to help those who may qualify for property tax relief fill out the appropriate forms and answer any questions you may have. You can find more information in the video here

Budget Town Halls
 
Town halls are an important part of the budget process. My Budget Town Hall will be Thursday, March 19 th at 7 pm at the West Springfield Government Center. Below is a list of all of the scheduled budget town halls across the county. I encourage you to attend your local town hall and kindly share your feelings about the Advertised Budget and the proposed 5.25% tax increase on the average homeowner.


10th Anniversary FinishLyme 5K and 1K Fun Run
 
On Sunday, May 17th FinishLyme will be having their 10th annual 5K and 1K Fun Run. You can RSVP and find more information here.

 


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Office
(703) 451-8873     

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Teen Job Fairs

Woodson High School Saturday, March 7th 10 am - 12 pm 

South County High School Saturday, March 7th 2 pm - 4 pm

Chantilly High School Saturday, March 14th 2 pm - 4 pm

Mount Vernon High School Saturday, March 21st 10 am - 12 pm

West Springfield High School Saturday, March 28th 10 am - 12 pm
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Free Concerts in the Park  


Randy Thompson Band
July 8th at 7 pm

Practically Einstein
July 15th at 7 pm

The English Channel
July 22nd at 7 pm

The Woodshedders
July 29th at 7 pm

The Johnny Artis Band
August 5th at 7 pm

The Skip Castro Band
August 12th at 7 pm

The Colin Thompson Band
August 19th at 7 pm
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Four-legged friend of the month

Chanteo is a seven-year old male German shepherd who is currently at the Mike Frey (Fairfax County) Animal Shelter waiting for his forever home. He loves to play fetch, go for walks, and even walks on the treadmill. He grew up with children of all ages, and they were able to handle him without issues. You can find more information about Chanteo here .