At the same time, Roessler played a key role in implementing reforms, including a citizen review panel, outfitting officers with body-worn cameras, diverting more mentally ill offenders from jail and requiring officers to undergo training in de-escalation tactics. He made officers’ wellness a priority, establishing help for suicidal officers and a K-9 therapy program. In addition, he created a cyber-forensics bureau to harvest evidence employing emerging technologies. 

Roessler was cited for being ahead of the curve on police reform and making some tough, high-profile decisions. One was to publicly release dash-cam video from the department that showed the fatal 2017 shooting of a motorist by the U.S. Park Police after the unarmed Fairfax County man drove away from the scene. Fairfax County police followed the two U.S. Park Police officers involved. Those Park Police officers have since been charged with manslaughter. Another high-profile case involved charges against a White Fairfax County police officer who Tasered a Black man who was disoriented and did not appear to be a threat during a call in the Mount Vernon area in June. That case is ongoing; it has engendered condemnation from the police unions.

Roessler’s successor will need to be well-informed and prepared for a changing environment.

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ARLINGTON WOMAN VICTIM OF RAZOR BLADES IN POLITICAL SIGN

The day after Election Day, an Arlington woman taking a Biden-Harris political sign to a family member’s house before beginning to dismantle it was cut by razor blades that had been taped to the sign, suffering minor injuries. Arlington County police have not received reports of similar incidents, but are urging residents to be careful when removing signs. According to the Arlington Democrats, “There is not a single route that has not had some damage to political signs. I would say this is unprecedented for Arlington. This goes beyond the normal sort of loss of signs by teenage kids and the wind.”

She noted that Biden and Harris signs seemed specifically targeted by vandalism and destruction. Vandalism of signs nationwide has been reported. For example, a woman in Maine was suspected of targeting houses displaying Trump yard signs when residents found their signs vandalized and dog feces posted through their letterboxes in September.

There are high hopes for a reduction in such dangerous behavior by vandals in the future. Protecting political signs with razor blades is at the bottom of the list of acceptable advocacy.

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PRINCE WILLIAM HONORS PIONEERING BLACK EDUCATOR WITH STATUE

The city of Manassas unveiled a statue recently honoring Jennie Dean, born into slavery, who became a pioneering educator in Prince William County. Dean came to the Washington area and established the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth in 1893. The private institution was designed for African American children as a residential institution in Northern Virginia, offering both academic and vocational training “within a Christian setting.” It was dedicated in 1894 in ceremonies led by Frederick Douglass.

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