Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Dear friend, 

Thank you to the over one-hundred and twenty residents that attended last Thursday's Franconinia District Public Safety Town Hall! I was glad to see many familiar faces. I continue to be pleased with Chief Davis and the Fairfax County Police Departments' dedication to engaging our community.

If you missed the town hall, the full program could be found on my YouTube page: https://youtu.be/FVtlJ1sArug. I will send the questions we could not address due to time constraints to FCPD for a written response. 

Also, for those that live along the Richmond Highway, United Community's Community+ Initiative is conducting a safety survey that will measure how community members feel about the current safety environment and provide an opportunity to share recommendations for improvement.

Here is the survey in English and Spanish: 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=y1Zhom9dckGdfZNOsKeydT9Et_GZRzNBvS-wUyNbmAhURE45SFJUNlhJTldCNzUzUzA2OVRNMVNDTS4u&qrcode=true

In response to a constituent asking how residents can be more involved with FCPD, I received the following response from FCPD. 

FCPD offers the following volunteer opportunities and programs

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Auxiliary Police Officer (APO)
• APOs assist the FCPD in numerous duties to include, patrol activities, traffic control, recruiting and other ancillary duties.
• Auxiliary Police Officer | Police (fairfaxcounty.gov)
• Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS)
• The VIPS program allows community members to give back by volunteering their time at the FCPD to assist with training, summer programs, analytics and many other fields.
• Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) | Police (fairfaxcounty.gov)
• Both of these programs require a background check prior to acceptance and are based upon department needs.

Learning Opportunities / Outreach Programs:

• Community Police Academy
• Often referred to as, “A Glimpse Behind the Badge.” This adult program is offered twice annually and provides community members the opportunity to interact with FCPD members in a classroom environment. Through presentation and follow-up sessions, community members learn about the daily activities of FCPD units, from the experts.
• Community Police Academy | Police (fairfaxcounty.gov)
• Police Leaders of Tomorrow
• Open to young adults, 18 to 24, throughout the D.C. Metro area, this program is designed to engage and encourage careers in law enforcement. Participants learn about the FCPD and explore the law enforcement profession.
• Police Leaders of Tomorrow | Police (fairfaxcounty.gov)
• Teen Police Academy
• A weeklong summer program aimed at engaging high school students from 10^th to 12^th grade, this program enhances interest in the field of law enforcement. Through interaction with FCPD personnel, teens can expand their knowledge of the FCPD and law enforcement.
• Teen Police Academy | Police (fairfaxcounty.gov)
• Future Women Leaders in Law Enforcement
• This summer program is available to young women from 10^th to 12^th grade with an interest in careers in law enforcement. During this week, members of the FCPD provide insight to possible careers and opportunities in the field.
• Future Women Leaders in Law Enforcement | Police (fairfaxcounty.gov)

Please contact my office if we can assist you:

Email: leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov (My team is working on an updated email)

Phone 703-971-6262

1. Supervisor Lusk in the Community
2. Fairfax County Public Libraries Modified Library Hours
3. Thousands of Beagles are Coming to Fairfax
4. 10 Tips for Reasonable Dog Ownership
5. Places to Stay Cool 
6. Metro Silver Line Extension
7. School Immunizations Clinic
8. Book Sale on July 30th
9. COVID-19 Resources

Supervisor Lusk in the Community 

It was a pleasure to join Supervisor Storck, Jon Kandel, and Peter Aliferis at the Montebello Gala! Thank you for the invitation. 

Fairfax County Public Libraries

Modified Hours

Effective Aug. 14, all regional and community Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) branches are moving to a modified schedule due to ongoing staff recruitment challenges.

The modified schedule is:

Regional branches:

• Monday and Tuesday: 1 - 9 p.m.
• Wednesday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Community branches:

• Monday: 1 - 9 p.m.
• Tuesday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

More details: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/fairfax-county-public-library-modifies-branch-hours

Thousands of Beagles are Coming to Fairfax

The Humane Society of the United States is coordinating the effort with many shelters and rescues, and we’re so excited to welcome some of these dogs to Fairfax County. These beagles are not here yet, but don’t worry – the Fairfax County Anima Shleterlet you know details as soon as we have them!

For now, here are a few ways you can help: 

1. Adopt! We have so many great dogs (and cats and small animals) who are in the shelter now, waiting for their new families to come adopt them. Here’s a full list of all our available pets: www.petango.com/FairfaxCountyAnimalShelter 

2. Volunteer! If you want to get involved in your local county animal shelter and help pets in need, our Volunteer Program is accepting applications for three areas, one of which is walking dogs!! For more info: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/volunteer 

3. Donate! If you’re looking to do a donation drive, or just want to pick out something fun for our shelter pets to enjoy, here’s a list of things we’d be grateful to receive www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/donate. Or you can make a monetary contribution to the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, our nonprofit fundraising partner that provides funds for the lifesaving medical care for our shelter pets.

4. Spread the word! Tell your friends, family, and neighbors about us, and keep liking and sharing our Facebook posts. Every little bit really does help. We're also open for walk-in adoption visits, to make it easy for you to come in and see what we’re all about!

10 Tips for Reasonable Dog Ownership

1. IDENTIFY YOUR PET
2. VACCINATE YOUR DOG
3. GET YOUR DOG LICENSED
4. SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PET
5. ENROLL YOUR DOG IN A TRAINING OR OBEDIENCE CLASS
6. KEEP YOUR DOG PHYSICALLY FIT
7. OBEY LEASH LAWS
8. CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG
9. PROTECT YOUR DOG FROM THE ELEMENTS
10. GIVE YOUR DOG COMPANIONSHIP

More Details:  www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/index.php/10-tips-responsible-dog-ownership

Places to Stay Cool

During extremely hot days, there is plenty that you can do to stay cool, like go to a movie, stroll through a shopping center or visit one of our public buildings when they are open:

• Libraries
• Community Centers
• Rec Centers
• Fairfax County Government Center

Please check the operating hours to ensure the facility is open before arriving.

For people experiencing homelessness, our emergency shelters are also available. 

For more details: https://t.co/p2f9PdkW7J

Metro Silver Line Extension

Silver Line Extension transferred to Metro's control

Metro took control of the Silver Line Extension on June 23rd at 6:00 a.m. This milestone, known as the "Operational Readiness Date" (ORD), marks the point where provisional care and control of the Extension – including six new Silver Line stations, 11.4 miles of new track, and a new rail yard – is formally transferred from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) to Metro.

More details: www.wmata.com/about/news/silver-line-extension-transferred.cfm

Back to School Immunization Clinic

The next back-to-school immunization clinic for students is this Friday, July 29th at the Springfield District Office. It's by appointment only so make yours today before it fills up – call 703-246-7100!

Details: http://ow.ly/p1Wb50JRItx

Franconia District Nights

The Franconia District summer nights concert series continues to roll on! Above is the full list of performers with their respective dates. Hope to see you there making the most of this summer.

More information: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/lee-district-nights

Book Fair on July 30th

On Saturday, July 30th the Kingstowne Library will be hosting a book sale from 10am - 3pm. The clearance sale will be from 2 - 3pm. Come look through some books and fill bag for seven dollars (excluding selected books)!

COVID-19:

Contact our Health Department COVID-19 Call Center on weekdays: 9:00 am-7:00 pm at 703-267-3511.

Text FFXCOVID to 888777 to receive updates from Fairfax County about COVID-19; text FFXCOVIDESP to 888777 for updates in Spanish.

Email questions or concerns to ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This email account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm.

Follow the Fairfax County Government and Health Department Facebook Page

Follow @fairfaxcounty and @fairfaxhealth on Twitter.

For regular updates, continue to follow the following trusted sources:

Fairfax County Health Department’s COVID-19 Homepage

Virginia Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Rodney L. Lusk

Franconia District Supervisor