October 27, 2021
To the Fairfax County Community,

I was proud to join members of our Fairfax County Fire and Rescue team to collect donations of winter coats for Fairfax County families. We have partnered with Operation Warm to distribute 3,000 new winter jackets. Read more about this annual event in this WTOP article.

I also wanted to remind you of a couple key dates in the coming weeks.
Monday's winter coat drive at the Penn Daw firehouse.
COVID-19 Boosters
  • The data shows that all three COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalizations, and death. However, as the length of time since vaccination has increased, we are starting to see reduced protection, particularly for mild or moderate COVID-19 infection.
  • As a result, following FDA authorizations, the CDC has now recommended a booster dose for eligible individuals who have received any one of the three FDA-authorized vaccines.
  • In addition, it looks like the FDA and CDC are on track to provide emergency use authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for children 5 to 11. In Fairfax County, this means that approximately 97,000 more children will be eligible for vaccination! VDH is preparing to have vaccine available in anticipation of approval sometime next week.

Pfizer and Moderna

For individuals who received a vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, the following groups are now eligible for a single booster shot at six months or more after completing their initial series:

 
Johnson & Johnson

  • For individuals who received a vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson, a single booster shot is recommended at two months or more after receiving the initial vaccination for all persons 18 years of age and up.
  • Eligible individuals may choose any of the three available vaccines as a booster dose.

To find an appointment, visit http://www.vaccines.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1). Assistance is available in English, Spanish and more than 100 other languages.

Have vaccine questions or need help scheduling? Contact our COVID-19 Call Center at 703-324-7404 (weekdays, 9 am-7 pm).
Public Safety
Fairfax County is the safest jurisdiction of its size in the nation. This is in large part due to the dedication of the brave men and women who serve as members of our Police Department.

Unfortunately, across the country, businesses, communities, and other organizations are experiencing staffing shortages including in the area of public safety. In Fairfax County, we are facing similar challenges.

Police Chief Davis and this Board do not take these needs lightly, this was highlighted yesterday at our Public Safety Committee meeting. At no time has officer or community safety been compromised in any way.

The Chief has outlined, with Board support, many strategic ways to recruit and hire more officers.

Again, we are proud of our low crime rates - especially in light of increases in surrounding jurisdictions. Also, in light of all of the stresses on our community relating to COVID-19, this is especially incredible. As the Chief outlined in the slide below, compared to a year ago, 3,500 fewer people have been victims of a crime this year. While any victim is too many, context is really critical.

  • Overall, crime is down by 13.2%.
  • While we have sadly seen 19 homicides so far this year, a third have been cases of domestic violence.
  • What are we doing to proactively recruit and retain officers?
  • FCPD is streamlining recruitment processes online.
  • Chief Davis has hired an Officer Retention Specialist to engage officers who are considering leaving or retiring.
  • FCPD is working to create a more inclusive culture amongst officers. For example, by 2030, Chief Davis’s goal is to have 30% of the police force made up of women.
  • Last week the Board passed an ordinance that allows collective bargaining in the County. This gives our employees a stake in their future by negotiating wages and benefits and makes FCPD more competitive for job recruitment. This is in addition to the benefits our officers receive, including a very competitive retirement benefit.
  • We invest in our police department every day: Our FCPD budget has increased in step with our overall County budget.
Budget since 2006 of the Fairfax County Police Department and the overall Fairfax County Government budget.
  • We have invested in mental health diversion programs to not only keep those with mental illness out of the criminal justice system, but to also make sure officers are not responding to mental health crises that they are not equipped to respond to.
  • Expanding on a pilot from the spring, co-responder teams comprised of behavioral health clinicians and police officers will be launched to respond to behavioral health calls to 911. This is an important advancement to provide the right intervention, at the right time, by the right person in our community.
  • To date, there have been over 11,000 transports for services at the Merrifield Crisis Response Center by law enforcement officers, and over 2,400 diversions from potential arrest.
  • Over 2,000 individuals with behavioral health issues have been served through Court Services Pre-Trial services since 2017.
  • Finally, as I said earlier these numbers don't matter if you or a loved one has been a victim of a crime. Learn more here.
Boards, Authorities, and Commissions
  • We are looking to appoint residents to positions on a number of BACS, which serve as advisory bodies to the Board of Supervisors.
  • Tenant Landlord Commission
  • Purpose: To give objective and fair assistance to the County's tenants and landlords. The Commission provides information to educate the public concerning the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, recommends changes in the tenant-landlord law at all levels of government, and more.
  • Learn more here.
  • Oversight Committee on Distracted and Impaired Driving
  • Purpose: Seeks to reduce the number of critical injury crashes and reduce the number of fatal crashes related to impaired, drowsy, and distracted driving.
  • Learn more here.
  • Heath Onthank Award Selection Committee
  • Purpose: To grant recognition to County employees for their accomplishments in public service.
  • Learn more here.
  • Police Civilian Review Panel (2)
  • Purpose: To build and maintain public trust and transparency among the police department, the community, and the Board of Supervisors.
  • Read more here.
  • Disability Services Board (2)
  • Purpose: To provide input to state and local agencies on service needs and priorities of persons with physical and sensory disabilities.
  • Learn more here.
  • Wetlands Board
  • Purpose: To preserve wetlands within Fairfax County while accommodating necessary economic development in a manner consistent with wetlands preservation.
  • Learn more here.
  • Consumer Protection Commission
  • Purpose: To advise on consumer affairs issues and provide periodic reports concerning legislation to consider appeals of licensing actions of the Department of Consumer Affairs. 
  • Learn more here.
  • Trespass Advisory Towing Board
  • Purpose: Advises the Board of Supervisors and provides recommendations to proposed changes related to the trespass towing code.
  • Learn more here.
  • Human Rights Commission
  • Purpose: To enforce ordinance and regulations established to prohibit discrimination.
  • Learn more here.
  • To apply: Submit your resume and magisterial district via email to [email protected]. Please include the name of the BAC in the subject line of the email.
Health
Vaccine Resources:


COVID-19 Resources:

  • Fairfax County Health Department
  • To view the number of cases in Fairfax County this page is updated at noon daily.
  • Visit the County site on COVID-19, Health Department Website, and see their FAQs.
  • To view multilingual health materials visit the County's Language Portal.
  • Sign up for text message alerts: text FFXCOVID to 888777. Para inscribirse, textear FFXCOVIDESP a 888777.
  • Call the Health Department from 9am-7pm weekdays and 9:30am-5pm on weekends: 703-267-3511
  • Email: [email protected]. This account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8am-8pm.
  • Inova has a helpful FAQ.
Sincerely,
Jeff McKay
Contact my Office

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