Marlboro Estates Safety & Crime Update
April 5, 2008
Prepared by Glenn Eugster (glenn_eugster@comncast.net)
4022 Ellicott Street, Alexandria, VA.
703-845-8947
The following is a summary of recent activities and discussions underway in the Marlboro Estates neighborhood to address safety and crime issues that were raised by many of you last year and this year. If you have questions, comments or concerns please let me know by responding to this e-mail at: glenn_eugster@comcast.net
Coffee with Cops Meeting to Discuss Crime Prevention: In response to concerns about attempted burglaries, car thefts, and burglaries in our area the Alexandria Police Department has assigned Captain Hassan Aden to work with us to prevent crime in Marlboro Estates. A number of residents met with Captain Aden and Chief Baker in January to discuss concerns we raised in the petition we sent to the Mayor and City Council last year.
Since our meeting the Police Department has increased patrols in our neighborhood and Ft. Ward Park. They have also made us more aware of services that the Department offers to advise residents on how to make their homes secure. Captain Aden has offered to meet with us to discuss what they have done and will do to make Marlboro Estates safer. He and his officers would also like to talk with us about what we can and should do to keep our homes and streets safe. If you would like to attend the meeting with the Police Department please let me know.
Neighborhood Watch Group: In an earlier note I asked you if you wanted to participate in a Neighborhood Watch. Some of you expressed interest. However, very few residents indicate a willingness to participate in such an effort. Until there is more interest in forming a neighborhood watch group we won’t be able to such an effort. If you are interested in participating in a neighborhood watch group, and haven’t let me know, please send me a note.
Ft. Ward Park Expanding Solid Waste Disposal & Maintenance Area: Despite the concerns of our residents and adjacent homeowners the Alexandria Parks Department has expanded its solid waste collection and maintenance vehicle storage activities in Ft. Ward Park adjacent to the properties along Ellicott Street and the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. FT. Ward Park is now collecting garbage and brush from five other parks, the City Library and elementary schools. Brush and garbage are left in open containers near our residences and homeowners have continued to complain about increasing problems with rats, city and contract workers (some of who are work release prisoners) looking into people’s homes, noise from maintenance vehicles and solid waste trucks, unsightly views, terrible odors, and impact to the historic Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery.
Residents have continued to express written and verbal concerns to the Parks Department and City Council about these continuing problems and a number of residents met with Parks Department and Seminary Valley Association officials to request that the dumpsters be removed and the maintenance yard be screened and cleaned.
In response to neighborhood concerns about the city-wide collection of solid waste at the park a complaint was filed with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Solid Waste Enforcement Office. The Commonwealth is continuing to discuss the concerns with city officials.
Discussions are also underway with Councilman Wilson’s office, Councilman Krupicka’s office, and the Seminary Valley Association to urge the City to take responsive action to address homeowners concerns about these problems. The Parks Department leaders have taken some steps to clean up the maintenance yard and Roger Blakely, Deputy Park Director, has committed to creating a buffer between the maintenance yard and the homes along Ellicott Street.
If you would like more information on the Ft. Ward Park maintenance yard issues please contact me.
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