🌱 Opioid Overdose Dashboard Updated + New License Plate Reading Tech

Good morning, hello! It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Fairfax City Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

A bit of snow and rain. High: 40 Low: 28.

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Here are the top three stories today in Fairfax City:

1. The Fairfax County Health Department updated the Opioid Overdose Dashboard as of Feb. 16. From January to September 2022, there were 63 deaths due to opioid overdose and according to the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 61 of those deaths involved fentanyl. The goal of the dashboard is to better educate and inform Fairfax County about the harms and dangers of opioids and see that across the board these overdoses are increasing in younger people. The dashboard is updated monthly and notes show when the last update was made; you can learn more about the opioid epidemic and how the government and community are combating it by clicking here. (Fairfaxtimes.com)
2. Fairfax County police recently completed the Flock safety pilot program involving the use of automated license plate reading technology to catch criminals; the department will move forward with installing 25 of these cameras throughout the area in the spring. These cameras take pictures of passing vehicle license plates and compare the license plate to different state and national crime databases. Although the cameras will be used to assist in combating crime, they will not be used for moving violations; additionally, all data recorded not involved in active investigations will be deleted after 30 days. (WJLA)
3. On Wednesday night, police in Northern Virginia shot and killed a shoplifting suspect after the confrontation resulted in a foot chase outside one of the busiest shopping malls. The two officers were alerted of the alleged incident inside Tysons Corner Center, then confronted the suspect inside the mall before the foot chase ensued for about a quarter mile. Both officers fired their weapons and the suspect was struck an unknown number of times before succumbing to his injuries; the officers were not injured during the incident. Information on the incident is currently limited; one of the officer's body cameras will be released after 30 days. (Daily Press)

Today in Fairfax City:

• F45 Fairfax Circle Blood Drive - 9424 Fairfax Blvd. (11:00 AM)
• Jane Franklin's Dance Response To Bennie Herron - Mason Exhibitions Arlington Gallery (12:00 PM)
• Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience - Hylton Performing Arts Center (5:30 PM)
• Chloé Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies LIVE! - Center for the Arts, Concert Hall (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• With the rising number of opioid overdoses recently, it is better to be safe than sorry at all times. Learn what to do in an overdose emergency with this free virtual class, you might make a difference and save a life. (Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department via Facebook)
• Did you miss the Fairfax City open house on Feb. 22 where improvements were proposed to the intersection of Rt. 123 and Eaton Place? Watch this video and visit engage.fairfaxva.gov for more information and to participate in the conversation! (City of Fairfax Government via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Guidepost Montessori at Fairfax — (Visit website)

Featured events:

• Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show (February 26)
• Free - Jazzercise Beginner Class (February 26)
• Antique Silver and Brass Restoration Services: MONDAYS 10 -4 (February 27)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center (March 1)
• Color Trends and Setting the Right Mood for your Home (March 3)
• Master Singers of VA Presents Sing Her Song (March 4)
• Fairfax Choral Society’s 60th Anniversary Gala (March 11)

Featured announcements:

• FREE - Jazzercise Beginner Class (Details)

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you soon.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.