<SH>Police Academy Graduates 42 Officers
<bt>The Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy graduated 42 recruits on Tuesday, February 21. 26 of the graduates will work for the Fairfax County Police Department, ten will work for the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, four will work for the Herndon Police Department, one will work for Fairfax County Animal Control, and one will work for the Fairfax County Fire Marshal's Office.
The Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy, located at 14601 Lee Road, Chantilly, trains approximately 140 to 150 new law enforcement officers a year. The Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy is currently the training center for all law enforcement officers from the Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, and the town police departments of Herndon and Vienna. Animal Wardens and Fire Marshals are also trained here.
The six month basic recruit session, is a non-residential training program. Recruits commute to the facility Monday through Friday for an eight-hour day, varying between day and evening hours. The curriculum includes Virginia law, report writing, criminal and accident investigation, warrant service, crime prevention, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, first aid, and firearms skills.
<sh>Free Carseat Inspections
<bt>Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections, Thursday, Feb. 23, and
Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 5-9 p.m. each day, at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. They'll make sure the seats are correct for the child’s age, height and weight, the child is securely placed in the seat and the seat is properly installed in the vehicle.
No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves, so the technicians may properly inspect and make adjustments, as necessary. Call the Sully District Child Seat Information line (703-814-7000, ext. 5140) to confirm dates and time. For additional child seat inspection times throughout Fairfax County, call the Fairfax County Operations Support Bureau at 703-280-0559.
<sh>Caputo Holds Town Meeting
<bt>Del. Chuck Caputo (D-67th) will host his second, town-hall meeting on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m.-noon, at the Chantilly Regional Library at 4000 Stringfellow Road. Special guests will be police Capt. Amy Lubas, commander of the Fair Oaks District Station, and police Capt. Susan Culin, commander of the Sully District Station. All are welcome. Questions may be directed to Caputo's legislative aide, Lu Ann Maciulla McNabb, at LA@delegatecaputo.com, or call 703-543-7268.
<sh>Residential Assistance Program
<bt>Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) Is accepting applicants for the Residential Assistance Program (RAP) by close of business, March 1.
Funded by a grant for the Fannie Mae Foundation, over a nine-month period it gives families or individuals financial help, counseling and referrals to services that will steer them toward self-sufficiency. It then follows up with 2 1/2 years of counseling support.
Candidates must have been in continuous residence for at least one year in one of the following ZIP codes: 20120, 20121, 20124, 20151, 22033 and 22039. They'll be required to complete an application for submission to the RAP committee and, if approved, will be required to sign a contract with WFCM. Call Dorothy Fonow at 703-988-9656.
<sh>Blood Donations are Sought
<bt>The Inova Blood Donor Center in the Centremed I Building on Route 29 in Centreville (across from the Centreville Multiplex Cinemas) is in urgent need of blood donations — especially O positive or negative, as well as A and B. They're accepted Tuesday-Friday, noon-8 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. For an appointment to give blood, call (703) 322-1970, or drop in at your own convenience.
<sh>WFCM Needs Donations to Help Local Needy Families
<bt>Each month, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) provides food, personal-hygiene and cleaning items to some 300, low-income, working families of all races and religions in western Fairfax County. Its food pantry and clothes closet are at 13981 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly, and it's in great need of donations from the community.
The 10 most-needed items are: Cooking oil (22-34-ounce bottles), flour, (2-5-pound sizes), complete pancake mixes and syrup, juices (preferably concentrate), spaghetti sauce, feminine-hygiene products, deodorant and laundry detergent. Food and personal-product donations are accepted Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at WFCM's back door.
WFCM's thrift shop is open to the public, Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Clothing, household items, miscellaneous donations are accepted Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the back door. Call 703-988-9656 with questions or to volunteer, or see www.wfcmva.org.