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McLean District Station Newsletter
November 2024
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November News: Giving Thanks & Staying Safe
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 To subscribe to McLean Police Station's monthly newsletter, click the "Register Here" button below.
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Do You Know the Size of McLean's Police District?
McLean's police district is approximately 44 square miles. It covers McLean, Dunn Loring, Merrifield, Falls Church, Tysons and parts of Fairfax and Vienna. For more information on McLean's Police Station, please visit the link below.
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The Commander's Corner
Greetings,
As we enter November, a season of gratitude and togetherness, we want to take a moment to thank each of you for the support you continue to show our officers and staff. Our team is committed to serving this community with dedication, and it’s a privilege to work alongside individuals who are equally committed to keeping our neighborhoods safe, welcoming, and resilient.
This month, with many of us celebrating holidays and gathering with loved ones, we encourage everyone to take some extra precautions. By staying informed and vigilant, we can all do our part to ensure a safe and joyful holiday season for our entire community.
Please know that our officers are here to support you. Whether it’s responding to calls, assisting with community events, or working behind the scenes to make our streets safer, we are honored to serve. Thank you for trusting us and for all you do to make our community stronger.
Wishing you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
- Major Joanna Culkin / Captain Morris
Detective of the Month: Det. Rowe
For the month of October, McLean District has selected Detective Rowe as it's representative for Detective of the Month.
Click the link below to read about the impact that Detective Rowe has made in our community!
NEW: FCPD Crime Data Available via FCPod.org
The Fairfax County Police Department would like to introduce the new "Fairfax County POD". Here, you'll find a wealth of information and insights into law enforcement activities in Fairfax County. This platform offers transparent access to various datasets, including incident statistics and demographic analyses. Explore trends, patterns and community safety metrics to better understand FCPD's efforts in ensuring public security and fostering trust within the community.
McLean's Month in Review: October
FCPD posts public information on social media platforms and official announcements are posted on WordPress. Here are links to some recent postings which may be of particular interest to the McLean District community:
Click the button below to see FCPD's WordPress which includes significant cases from every district station in our county.
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Chief Kevin Davis Provides Update on Gun Store Burglary & Illegal Street Racing
Chief Kevin Davis took to the podium to speak to community members about the apprehension of suspects in a recent gun store burglary. Chief Davis also addresses illegal street racing in Fairfax County.
Thanksgiving Travel - Home Security Tips
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Lock Up: Before leaving, double-check that all doors and windows are locked. Don’t forget garage doors, side gates, and any other entry points.
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Set Up Lighting on a Timer: To make it appear as if someone is home, use timers to turn lights on and off at different times. This is an effective way to deter burglars who may target empty houses during the holiday.
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Ask a Neighbor for Help: If possible, have a trusted neighbor keep an eye on your home. Ask them to collect your mail, packages, or newspapers, so it doesn’t look like you’re away.
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Avoid Social Media Announcements: It’s tempting to share your holiday plans online, but this can inadvertently alert criminals that your home is empty. Share those holiday photos after you return instead.
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Secure Valuables: Keep valuables out of sight, and consider storing important items like jewelry, electronics, and personal documents in a safe or locked drawer.
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Set Your Alarm System: If you have a security system, make sure it’s armed before you leave. Inform your security provider that you’ll be away and ensure they have your contact information in case of an emergency.
Stay safe and enjoy your Thanksgiving!
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Upcoming Events:
 Mark your calendars for our Toys, Treats, Cocoa and Coffee with FCPD! McLean District Police Officers will be at the Mosaic Target (1st Floor) on Saturday, December 7th between the hours of 11:00am and 2:00pm. We will be accepting donations of new, unopened toys to be given to local children in need. Stop by, take a picture and enjoy a warm beverage and a treat with our Officers!
The Fairfax County Police Department is hosting its 11th annual holiday gift card drive. Our department will be accepting gift card donations from now until December 14th, 2024. These gift cards will be going directly to child victims and witnesses of domestic and sexual violence. Please see the information above and consider donating if you're able.
Did You Know?
You can file a police report online?
Below are a list of crimes/events that CAN be reported online, if they happened within the confines of Fairfax County:
- Bicycle Theft
- Destruction of Private Property/Vandalism
- Larceny/Theft from Motor Vehicle or Parts
- Larceny/Theft Under $10,000
- Lost Property
- Suspicious Person/Vehicle
- Solicitor Violations
- Telephone Harassment/Threats
- Trespassing
- Unoccupied Hit and Run Accidents
NOTE: All case statuses are classified as INACTIVE, meaning it is not assigned to a detective or officer for further investigation.
If the criteria above fits your circumstance, please click the button below to file your police report online today.
 Do you buy or sell items on the internet? All 8 of our Fairfax County Police Stations have an "Exchange Zone" on-site that provides you an area to meet your transaction partner under 24-hour camera surveillance. Just look for the sign above in the parking lot of your nearest police Fairfax County Police Station.
No one anticipates being involved in a car crash. If it happens to you, will you know what to do? Follow the steps listed above to help simplify the process.
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Free Child Safety Seat Inspections
Free Home/Business Security Assessment
Want to improve the security of your home or business - free of charge?
Email me today to schedule a security assessment where we'll walk your property together and provide feedback for improvements.
Educate and Protect Yourself from Scams!
Scams are on the rise. This video will teach your how to avoid being a victim of a modern-day scam and not forfeit your hard-earned money or identity!
Do you prefer a written guide? Click the button below to educate yourself using this digital guide.
The link below is an excellent resource on how to SPOT, AVOID and REPORT Scams!
Crime Prevention Tip:
Holiday Scam Prevention Tips
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Watch Out for Phishing Emails: Scammers often send fake emails pretending to be from well-known retailers, charities, or shipping companies. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. Verify the sender by going directly to the website instead.
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Be Cautious with Online Deals That Seem Too Good to Be True: Fake websites and ads offering deep discounts can trick you into providing payment information. Only shop from reputable websites with secure payment systems (look for "https" in the URL).
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Verify Charities Before Donating: If you’re considering a charitable donation, make sure the organization is legitimate. Use sites like Charity Navigator or GuideStar to confirm the organization’s credentials before donating.
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Don’t Share Personal Information Over the Phone: Scammers may call claiming to be from your bank or a retailer. Never give out personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call with a trusted party.
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Use Credit Instead of Debit Cards: Credit cards typically offer more protection against fraud compared to debit cards, which may make recovering funds harder if a scam does occur.
US Postal Inspector Launches Campaign to Protect Consumers from Identity Fraud
The United States Postal Inspection Service has launched a new campaign aimed at safeguarding individuals from identity theft and financial scams. We encourage you to explore the resources linked below to enhance your awareness and protect yourself against these threats:
Do You or a Loved One Need a Protective Order?
Click the link below to learn about protective orders in Fairfax County from victim advocate, Ayaan Ali.
 Dial 9-8-8 for 24-hour Behavioral Healthcare and Support
9-8-8 is a three-digit number that routes callers to the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. When an individual calls or texts 9-8-8, they are connected to trained counselors who will listen, provide support, and connect them with necessary resources. 9-8-8 is active in Fairfax County and across the United States.
What You Need to Know
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Dialing or texting 9-8-8 will connect you to free behavioral health care and support 24 hours a day. Chat (English only) is also available through the Lifeline’s website at: 988lifeline.org/chat.
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9-8-8 is a direct connection to support for anyone experiencing behavioral health-related distress as well as those concerned about a loved one.
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Callers may be experiencing:
- Thoughts of suicide
- Mental health or substance use concerns or
- Any other kind of emotional distress.
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The Commonwealth of Virginia continues to build capacity and infrastructure:
- To support 9-8-8 and the Commonwealth’s comprehensive crisis support system commonly referred to as Marcus Alert.
- To enhance community-based crisis services.
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Fairfax County continues to respond to community needs and expand crisis services. At the Merrifield Crisis Response Center (open 24/7) at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health, operated by the Community Services Board (CSB), walk-in emergency behavioral health assistance is available day and night, 365 days a year.
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Stay Connected
Information and alerts from the Police Department are available on our web pages and on many social media platforms.
Click on the button below for a list of links.
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Join the Best | Join FCPD
If you want to be part of something larger than yourself and overcome new challenges every day, the Fairfax County Police Department is the agency for you.
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