Yeah, that's lovely but what about the families of the victims the Fairfax County Police have killed? Where's their fundraiser?
Great Falls — A group in Great Falls raised over $5,000 for the organization
Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) that supports the families of officers
who have been killed on the job.
#For the last eight years, Bob Nelson, a realtor with
Keller Williams Realty in Great Falls, has been organizing Military
Appreciation Monday. The monthly fundraisers benefit military support
organizations and groups. This latest fundraising effort was part of his new
Law Appreciation Wednesday events, which will raise money for police officer
support organizations and groups.
#Brix American Bistro on Seneca Road hosted the dinner
on Wednesday, Jan. 25. As the host, the restaurant donates a portion of the
evening’s sales during the event’s seatings. Raffle tickets are also sold for
donated items.
#“One of the hardest jobs is being a cop,” says Ashwani
Ahluwalia, the restaurant’s owner. “They put their lives on the line … big
sacrifice.”
#The seating for the service was full. As people ate,
an officer who patrols Great Falls spoke to the crowd.
#“I’m very proud to represent FCPD and the Reston
Station in thanking this group for their support,” says 2nd Lt. Anthony Lampe
of the FCPD’s Reston District Station. “Whenever a brush with life comes close,
support means that much more.”
#Officer Lampe was referring to the shooting of one of
his colleague’s marked police cars just three days before on Sunday, Jan. 22.
The car was struck several times by gunfire in Great Falls, but fortunately the
officer was not hit.
#This is the second of Nelson’s Law Appreciation
Wednesday events. In December, the group raised $4,000 for HEROES, Inc. The
organization assists the families of police officers within the D.C. region who
have been killed on duty.
#“The hardest part about organizing this is finding
groups that support cops,” Nelson says.
Ouy Vay! Its not about body cameras. Its about a punk attitude and a chief that needs to be fired
After policy set, Fairfax Co. police to test body-worn cameras
By Dick
Uliano
FAIRFAX, Va. — Fairfax County police are
expected to begin testing body-worn cameras later this year, after the police
department completes — and the Board of Supervisors approves — a set of guidelines
governing the use of the cameras.
Policy must still be nailed down on issues
including how best to protect privacy; when cameras are to be turned on and
off; when it’s appropriate to redact video and how long video should be
retained.
“The goal is to start the pilot project as
soon as possible. Whether that is July or sometime after Labor Day will depend
on the work ahead,” said Chief Edwin Roessler with Fairfax County police.
The Board of Supervisors Public Safety
Committee has set a mid-June deadline for final submission of body-worn camera
policy. Once the policy is in place, police will conduct a pilot program with
the cameras for 90 days or more.
“My intent is to have two vendors for the
pilot project and test and evaluate at two different police district stations,”
Roessler said, indicating that two different brands of body-worn cameras will
be tested.
While Fairfax County began discussing
body-worn cameras in 2014, the program has lagged behind others in the area.
All D.C. police officers are equipped with the
cameras, about 900 are in use in Montgomery County and Arlington has a pilot
program underway involving 25 officers and sheriff’s deputies. Prince George’s
County police say they are implementing the first phase of their program during
the first three months of this year.
“I don’t think it’s taking too long. I think
the Board and staff are committed to this, and I think we’re doing it right,”
said Fairfax County Executive Ed Long.
Fairfax has set aside about $1.9 million to
evaluate and then launch its police body-worn camera program.