This is the actual narrative from a recent call:

This is the actual narrative from a recent call:

On 04/05/2018, at 19:58 hours, I was dispatched to 123 XXXXXX Street, in reference to an out of control 5 year old. Upon my arrival, I spoke to a 7 year old male who advised that his 5 year old sister hit him. I spoke to the grandmother of the children who advised that her granddaughter was out of control. While on scene, the granddaughter was unruly and would not speak with her grandmother or me. I advised the grandmother that she could discipline her grandchildren. I also advised her to contact her granddaughter's caseworker about her behavior. I told the male juvenile that he would need to stand up to his sister, if not; she would continue to hit him. No further information.

Unfortunately, the police are being used more and more as the enforcers of house rules by parents and guardians who are incapable of implementing discipline. In other cases, the police are used as armed social or mental health workers. While we are always happy to help those in need, our society seems to be changing the motto, "To Protect and Serve" in to "To Babysit, Discipline, and Transport." While this may be the easiest or most expedient solution, it teaches children to fear the police and stigmatizes those with mental health issues as criminal. This is NOT the wisest use of tax dollars and definitely NOT the most appropriate use of the police.

APD Call Log April 2nd-8th, 2018

Permanent Green Spring Road Closure

APD Call Log March 26th-April 2nd, 2018

Passing A Stopped School Bus Information

Although late in the school year, we are seeing an increase in the number of motorists who fail to stop for school buses with their stop indicators activated.  Many of these incidents are occurring on four lane roads.  The state code is very clear on when to stop for a school bus, but many people get confused on larger roads with center turn lanes, or solid medians. The graphic is very helpful in understanding when you are obligated to stop for a school bus. In each scenario, the vehicles in RED are legally obligated to stop.

     As you drive, please be watchful for stopped school buses and the actions of pedestrians who are exiting the buses, as well as other motorists. We will be watching as well. There really is no excuse for passing a school bus while passengers are loading or unloading.  

The State Code is provided as reference:

§ 46.2-859. Passing a stopped school bus; prima facie evidence.

A person driving a motor vehicle shall stop such vehicle when approaching, from any direction, any school bus which is stopped on any highway, private road or school driveway for the purpose of taking on or discharging children, the elderly, or mentally or physically handicapped persons, and shall remain stopped until all the persons are clear of the highway, private road or school driveway and the bus is put in motion; any person violating the foregoing is guilty of reckless driving. The driver of a vehicle, however, need not stop when approaching a school bus if the school bus is stopped on the other roadway of a divided highway, on an access road, or on a driveway when the other roadway, access road, or driveway is separated from the roadway on which he is driving by a physical barrier or an unpaved area. The driver of a vehicle also need not stop when approaching a school bus, which is loading or discharging passengers from or onto property immediately adjacent to a school if the driver is directed by a law-enforcement officer or other duly authorized uniformed school crossing guard to pass the school bus. This section shall apply to school buses which are equipped with warning devices prescribed in § 46.2-1090 and are painted yellow with the words "School Bus" in black letters at least eight inches high on the front and rear thereof. Only school buses which are painted yellow and equipped with the required lettering and warning devices shall be identified as school buses.

The testimony of the school bus driver, the supervisor of school buses or a law-enforcement officer that the vehicle was yellow, conspicuously marked as a school bus, and equipped with warning devices as prescribed in § 46.2-1090 is prima facie evidence that the vehicle is a school bus.

APD Call Log March 19th-25th, 2018

IMPORTANT TRAFFIC INFORMATION: Cummings Street

IMPORTANT TRAFFIC INFORMATION:

Due to the pending construction on Green Spring Road and Cummings Street, the speed limit has been changed on Cummings Street. New signs have been posted along the Cummings Street corridor to reflect the change from 35 mph to 25 mph. Please drive safely and be alert for construction activities in the coming weeks and months.