For immediate release: February 13, 2012

The Alexandria Fire Department is continuing to make preparations for memorial events scheduled this week to honor Paramedic Joshua Weissman, who fell from the roadway and died from his injuries last week during an emergency response to a car fire on I-395.

All information related to the memorial service events is posted online at http://alexandriava.gov/LODDJWeissman. If you or your group plans to attend the visitation, funeral, or repast scheduled on February 15-16, please fill out an online form to RSVP for these events as soon as possible. Fire or police department groups planning to bring apparatus, equipment, or color guard units should provide their contact information on this form. Honor guard units are not needed at this time.

All participants are urged to carpool and use public transit to attend memorial events. Parking will be extremely limited and road closures or traffic delays will make it difficult for participants to arrive at events. By Tuesday, February 14, the City will post locations online where public parking is available, and provide a shuttle service schedule for groups that are parking at designated locations off-site.

If you need assistance filling out the form, have questions, or require additional information, please call 703.746.HELP (4357). The Department sincerely appreciates the outpouring of support from the community and regional partners as we plan these events.

Residents are advised that the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will conduct a series of training flights over the Washington D.C. area on Thursday, February 9, from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. The training flights will involve Civil Air Patrol aircraft, Air Force F-16s, and a U.S. Coast Guard Dolphin helicopter.

In event of inclement weather, the exercise will take place the following evening.

Sock Hop

$25 – Singles

$40 – Couples

$50 – Entire Family

Tickets are available for purchase at KelleyCares.org or A Show Of Hands (2301 Mt. Vernon Ave.)

Proceeds benefit Miracle Field to honor Mr. Ryan Bailey.

Food by local restaurants.

Music by:

Kate Moran Band

Bill Mansfield on the Banjo

Mars Rodeo Band

Irish Breakfast Band

Janna Audey Band

Learn more about the Miracle Field: www.miracleleagueofalexandria.com

To view the event flyer, click here.

The academy will be held every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m.to 10:00 p.m. at the Police Department’s new Headquarters at 3600 Wheeler Ave in the Community Room, located on the 1st floor. Classes begin on March 14, 2012, and will end with a formal graduation ceremony on May 23, 2012.

The program is offered free of charge. Class size is limited to twenty participants. Applicants will be accepted on a first come first serve basis. Participants of the Citizens Police Academy must be at least 21 years of age and live or work in the City. In addition Criminal History checks will be conducted on all applicants.

The curriculum covers the core elements that are essential for participants to gain a greater understanding of police operations. As a result of their participation, residents can make more informed judgments about the Alexandria Police Department and its daily operations. The Police Department is simultaneously able to acquire a greater understanding of the views and concerns of the community through an enhanced relationship with the public.

For more information on the Citizens Police Academy or to request an application, visit alexandriava.gov/Police or e-mail the Volunteer Office at Virginia.obranovich@alexandriava.gov.

The deadline for registrations is February 14, 2012.

Because of these two incidents and incidents in the past with the homes in Warwick Village the Alexandria Fire Department wants to alert residents of CO poisoning and install carbon monoxide detectors in those homes that are not yet equipped with one. A task force of more than 50 persons will be in the neighborhood on Saturday starting at 10:00 am and continuing until each residence in Warwick Village has been given information on the dangers of CO and those answering the door offered a CO detector. It is hoped that the neighborhood should be completed by 4:30 pm.

Sincerely,

Joe Hoffmaster

Battalion Chief 211B

Saturday, November 26

10am – 1pm

(between MVCS and Duncan Library)

Bring the family to see the trees bound for the US Capitol!

Climb up in the cab of a tractor-trailer and see firsthand what a truck driver can see!

Take pictures with Mack the (inflatable) Bulldog!

Residential trash and recycling will be collected on the regularly scheduled day during the week of Thanksgiving, including Thanksgiving Day, November 24. On Thanksgiving Day, trash and recycling collection will begin at 6 a.m. in order to clear routes early for the Annual Turkey Trot.

Update on Leaf Collection Schedule

Due to heavy rainfall that that led to a larger volume of leaves out for collection, City crews are currently operating one day behind the publicized leaf collection schedule. Leaf collection for Area 2 should be completed by November 22, and leaf collection in Area 3 is expected to begin on November 22. Leaf collection in Area 5 is ongoing, and residents are encouraged to report heavy volumes on their block where collection is needed. On November 23, leaf collection trucks will also be clearing all leaves along the route for the Turkey Trot.

Leaf bag collection remains on schedule. Leaf bags are picked up one day after trash collection in your neighborhood.  Call the City’s Leaf Collection Hotline at 703.746.LEAF (5323) to report a problem or visit http://alexandriava.gov/LeafCollection to get more information on the leaf collection schedule or obtain service updates. 

Alley Recycling Collection Begins Monday, November 28

The City of Alexandria’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) reminds residents beginning Monday, November 28, residents who receive alley pickup for trash collection will now also receive recycling collection in their alley, and should no longer place recycling bins or carts at the curb. Collection service for all other City customers will remain unchanged.

Residents should place both their trash and recycling bins out for collection in the alley (after 5 p.m. the evening before collection, or before 6 a.m. the day of collection). Report any missed trash or recycling collections to the Solid Waste Division by calling 703.746.4410. 

This service change will allow more residents who had space constraints around their home to take advantage of recycling cart collection service. If you are interested in upgrading your small yellow recycling bin for a larger blue recycling cart with wheels and lid as a result of this service change, you can request a new bin by calling 703.746.4410. View the list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information about this change to collection service, or visit http://alexandriava.gov/RecyclingatHome.

NEWS RELEASE
NOVEMBER 21, 2011 #11-075
1:30 P.M. DONALDSON

Alexandria Police Investigate Assault on Jogger in Del Ray

Alexandria Police are investigating an assault that occurred Monday, November 21, at 6:00 A.M. in the 200 block of E. Del Ray Avenue. A female was jogging when she was grabbed from behind by a man. The suspect inappropriately touched the victim. She screamed and the suspect pushed her to the ground and fled on foot. He was last seen running towards Mount Vernon Avenue. The suspect is described as an unknown race male wearing a black puffy, thigh length coat, a black skull cap and dark pants.

Anyone with information about this incident or who might have been in the area is asked to call Detective Kevin Thomas at 703.746.6273 or the Criminal Investigations Section at 703.746.6711.

Detectives would like to remind witnesses that they can remain anonymous.

The Alexandria Police Department would like to remind joggers to remember these important safety tips while out running:

• Avoid running with headphones
  
• Run in well lit areas
  
• Try and run with a partner when possible
  
• Keep a cell phone with you at all times
  
• Let people know what routes you plan to take

For more information please call the Public Information Office at 703.746.6600.