Assembly Gives Green Light
To Red Light Cameras
<bt>The Virginia General Assembly voted last week to permit red-light cameras in more populated sections of the commonwealth, making photo enforcement at several intersections in Northern Virginia likely.
The legislation allows local county, city and town governments to put up one camera at one intersection for every 10,000 of its residents.
Until two years ago, Fairfax County, Arlington County, Alexandria, Fairfax City, Falls Church, and Vienna had collectively operated 38 red-light cameras. Over the objections of several Northern Virginia lawmakers and police, the state Attorney General chose not to renew the camera pilot program in 2005.
Local officials have made several efforts to reinstitute the cameras over the past two years but failed because some legislators said they were concerned the cameras violated citizens' privacy. The new legislation includes several provisions that restrict the use and retention of the images captured by the cameras.
Several elected officials and advocacy groups said the reimplementation of red-light cameras will make Northern Virginia intersections safer.
"The evidence overwhelmingly shows motorists are more likely to be injured in crashes involving red light running than in other types of crashes," said John Townsend, AAA Mid-Alantic Manager of Public and Government Affairs.
<sh>Three Charged in Larcenies
<bt>Three teens were apprehended Tuesday, Feb. 27, by deputies after a series of larcenies from vehicles in the area of Route 50, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Two of the teens, Kyle Thomas Burley, 19, of Centreville, and David Elliot Schreider, 19, also of Centreville, are charged with possession of a stolen firearm, two counts of larceny from a vehicle, attempted breaking and entering, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and possession of alcohol. A 17-year-old Centreville boy, whose name cannot be released due to his age, was turned over to his parents. Charges are pending against the juvenile.
Deputies were called to the 25930 block of Gregory Court in South Riding around 2:30 a.m. where a homeowner reported a possible burglary in progress. According to the Sheriff's Office, the resident was woken up by the sound of the garage door being opened. Apparently the teens had entered one of the homeowner's unlocked cars and used a remote garage door opener. As deputies responded to the area they spotted a suspect vehicle parked in the area of Spring Farm Circle. The deputies initiated a felony traffic stop on the vehicle and the three teens were taken into custody.
Inside the vehicle deputies located numerous stolen items including a firearm. Detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department were called in to assist in the investigation as it is believed some of the items were taken from vehicles in the Chantilly area. Further charges are possible.
Burley and Schreider were being held without bond at the Loudoun Adult Detention Center.
<sh>Teens Charged
<bt>Four teenagers who brandished what was described as a hockey stick during a robbery outside an Ashburn bank were charged by Loudoun Sheriff's Investigators in recent weeks.
According to a Sheriff's Office press release sent Feb. 27, two of the teens, Augustus Pajibo Peal, 18, of Reston, and Brian Lawrence Campbell, 18, of Sterling, are charged along with two 17-year-old boys from Sterling. Campbell is charged with robbery, two counts contributing the delinquency of a minor and auto theft. Peal is charged with robbery, identity theft, two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and driving while suspended. The two 17-year-olds are both charged with robbery. One of the teens has an additional charge of auto theft. The names of the two 17-year-old suspects cannot be released because they are juveniles.
According to the Sheriff's Office, the robbery occurred around 1:45 a.m., Jan. 15, when the suspects approached a 55-year-old man who was using the Chevy Chase Bank in the Ashburn Village Shopping Center. According to the victim the suspects carried what was described as a hockey stick and demanded money. One of the suspects removed a wallet from the victim. The wallet contained cash and credit cards.
Campbell and one of the 17-year-olds are also charged with auto theft after they took a car from Tippecanoe Terrace in Ashburn. The car, a 1994 Oldsmobile, was stolen prior to the robbery and was used during the crime.
Campbell and Peal were being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center without bond. The two juveniles are being held at the Juvenile Detention Center in Leesburg.
<sh>Shelter Survey
<bt>Loudoun County Animal Care & Control is asking residents to express their opinions regarding the adoption of pit bulls from the Animal Shelter.
Animal Care & Control is reviewing its adoption policy in reference to pit bulls due to the fact that the Attorney General of Virginia recently issued an advisory opinion stating that publicly funded animal shelters may not euthanize dogs based solely upon breed. The Loudoun County Animal Shelter is a publicly funded shelter operated by the Loudoun County Government.
The shelter’s adoption policy does not allow for adoption of pit bulls or pit bull mixes. The department hopes to receive input from citizens in order to best serve the needs of our community.
The survey will be conducted online via the department’s Web site, www.loudoun.gov/animals. Loudoun County residents are encouraged to visit the Web site and complete the survey.
A print version of the survey is also available for those without access to the Internet. A copy may be obtained by calling 703-777-0406 or by visiting the Loudoun County Animal Shelter.
The survey will be open through March 31.