To the Arlington County Board, Manager, and Police Department:
We, the residents and community members of Green Valley, are deeply concerned about the ongoing violence, drugs, and crime in the corridor surrounding Drew Elementary School, Drew Park Playground and Splashground, John Robinson Jr. Town Square, and The Shelton Apartments.
The persistent concentration of illegal activities here has continued far too long--threatening the safety of our children, families, and neighbors every day--and must end.
We demand immediate action and petition Arlington County to fund dedicated law enforcement patrols during peak hours of illegal activity (daily after 4 PM) in the area around Drew and John Robinson Jr. Town Square to effectively, fairly, and fully enforce laws against:
-The sale and public use of illegal drugs
-Public consumption of alcohol or marijuana
-Smoking in non-smoking zones
-Gambling
-Violence and discharge of firearms
-Blocking sidewalks and public spaces
-Public urination
-Vandalism and destruction of public property (including park vegetation)
-Littering or dumping (including furniture in parks)
-Use of public parks outside operating hours
We recognize that enforcement, training, and accountability are no small tasks — but our children and community deserve safety, not excuses.
Green Valley has a proud history of resilience and civic engagement, and we are ready to work with Arlington County and the ACPD to build a safer, stronger future.
The time for action is now.
---
Sincerely,
Residents and Community Members of Green Valley
(Dear neighbor: Please help us improve public safety in the corridor by signing this petition AND adding a comment with YOUR personal experiences in the corridor)
22 Comments
As we design new park amenities, I’m hearing from kids that they’re not permitted to play in the park due to their parents concern over illegal activities and safety issues. This is unacceptable. All our kids should be free to play in their neighborhood park. We can all use the park in a manner that is positive and welcoming!
Our kids came to play soccer in this area one day only to realize there had been a shooting 30 minutes before they came. I heard report of a neighbor who lives in the Shelton who's car was vandalized. There was a shooting during a Drew elementary outdoor movie night.
Regular patrols would positively change the reputation of the area near the Town Square, and both dissuade future illicit and untoward activity from going on AND encourage more of the neighborhood to frequent the park and square. While the County may not have the means to continually provide regular patrols, hopefully the combination of the above for a set period would lead to less and less need for regular policing over time.
This area needs to be safer for families and children. Police and County need to address constant public drinking, public drug use, public urination, and blocking sidewalk access
It’s time! We need a community center in GV so our kids and seniors can have somewhere to go and congregate. The issues we are dealing with would NEVER happen in North Arlington or anywhere else. GV residents deserve the same. AHC has to ensure that the residents of the Shelton are respected in the same manner as their tenants at other AHC properties: repairs, proper management, enforcing lease terms, trash removal, etc. It’s time! Abandoned and neglected buildings breed crimes and other safety concerns. Operators and owners need to be held accountable as well.
A substation at the very least would help deter!
The county and ACPD need to do more to keep Green Valley residents safe and put a stop to the violence.
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To the Arlington County Board, Manager, and Police Department:
We, the residents and community members of Green Valley, are deeply concerned about the ongoing violence, drugs, and crime in the corridor surrounding Drew Elementary School, Drew Park Playground and Splashground, John Robinson Jr. Town Square, and The Shelton Apartments.
The persistent concentration of illegal activities here has continued far too long--threatening the safety of our children, families, and neighbors every day--and must end.
We demand immediate action and petition Arlington County to fund dedicated law enforcement patrols during peak hours of illegal activity (daily after 4 PM) in the area around Drew and John Robinson Jr. Town Square to effectively, fairly, and fully enforce laws against:
-The sale and public use of illegal drugs
-Public consumption of alcohol or marijuana
-Smoking in non-smoking zones
-Gambling
-Violence and discharge of firearms
-Blocking sidewalks and public spaces
-Public urination
-Vandalism and destruction of public property (including park vegetation)
-Littering or dumping (including furniture in parks)
-Use of public parks outside operating hours
We recognize that enforcement, training, and accountability are no small tasks — but our children and community deserve safety, not excuses.
Green Valley has a proud history of resilience and civic engagement, and we are ready to work with Arlington County and the ACPD to build a safer, stronger future.
The time for action is now.
---
Sincerely,
Residents and Community Members of Green Valley
(Dear neighbor: Please help us improve public safety in the corridor by signing this petition AND adding a comment with YOUR personal experiences in the corridor)
22 Comments
As more & more of us local citizens are retiring we especially feel vulnerable where the heightened crime is concerned. Please more more law enforcement, with respect to fellow citizens. Thank you...
As we design new park amenities, I’m hearing from kids that they’re not permitted to play in the park due to their parents concern over illegal activities and safety issues. This is unacceptable. All our kids should be free to play in their neighborhood park. We can all use the park in a manner that is positive and welcoming!
Our kids came to play soccer in this area one day only to realize there had been a shooting 30 minutes before they came. I heard report of a neighbor who lives in the Shelton who's car was vandalized. There was a shooting during a Drew elementary outdoor movie night.
Regular patrols would positively change the reputation of the area near the Town Square, and both dissuade future illicit and untoward activity from going on AND encourage more of the neighborhood to frequent the park and square. While the County may not have the means to continually provide regular patrols, hopefully the combination of the above for a set period would lead to less and less need for regular policing over time.
This area needs to be safer for families and children. Police and County need to address constant public drinking, public drug use, public urination, and blocking sidewalk access
It’s time! We need a community center in GV so our kids and seniors can have somewhere to go and congregate. The issues we are dealing with would NEVER happen in North Arlington or anywhere else. GV residents deserve the same. AHC has to ensure that the residents of the Shelton are respected in the same manner as their tenants at other AHC properties: repairs, proper management, enforcing lease terms, trash removal, etc. It’s time! Abandoned and neglected buildings breed crimes and other safety concerns. Operators and owners need to be held accountable as well.
A substation at the very least would help deter!
The county and ACPD need to do more to keep Green Valley residents safe and put a stop to the violence.
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As more & more of us local citizens are retiring we especially feel vulnerable where the heightened crime is concerned. Please more more law enforcement, with respect to fellow citizens. Thank you...