Lorton Crime on the Rise

Lorton's three crime hotspots — Williamsburg Square, Hagel Circle and Gunston Plaza — have seen 26 crime events this year so far, an increase compared to the first three months of 2011 when 20 crime events occurred. 

"I'm proud of the efforts of residents who are taking care of their community," said Captain Shawn Bennett of the Franconia District Station, referring to the Hagel Circle neighborhood. That area has experienced a 33 percent increase in crime events year-over-year.

"Every month we have Citizen Advisory Committee meetings here at the station, and we are the only station that has a full-time communications officer on staff. I believe in transparency," Bennett said.

The Hagel Circle neighborhood has seen a significant increase in destruction of property and has had two larcenies this year. There has been a slight decrease in assaults.

The Williamsburg Square neighborhood has seen robberies and larcenies this year.

Crime in the Gunston Plaza neighborhood has decreased overall, despite an increase in larcenies.

The (while residents left their running, unlocked cars to warm up in the early morning hours) occured primarily in the West Springfield District.

The Franconia District station has 138 officers for an area that stretches from the Woodbridge/Lorton border southeast of I-95 and continues north through the Hayfield Secondary School area into eastern Annandale. The area northwest of I-95 is covered by the West Springfield Police District, which stretches into Burke. (See a Fairfax County Police Department district map here.)

Bennett took his post in 2010. A native of Fairfax County, he has 22 years on the force and lives with his wife and three children in the Mount Vernon Police District. 

"As a result of where I live, many of the things that affect me in my personal life impact how I do my job here," he said.  

Traffic, BRAC and the 'Phantom Cruiser'

Bennett said that Base Realignment and Closure has brought additional traffic to Route 1, particularly at the intersection with the Fairfax County Parkway. In fact, Franconia officers issued 254 summonses between Feb. 23 and March 1, at that intersection along Route 1. Like the upcoming DUI checkpoint, the enforcement initiative focused resources for specific area for a short period of time. 

"I'm a big fan of the phantom cruiser," Bennett said, of another inexpensive but effective way to keep order. "It's just an empty cruiser parked on the side of the road or in a parking lot. It slows people down and makes them do the right thing without them having to get a ticket." 

Franconia officers also participate in up to six annual "Walk and Talks" through neighborhoods. (The next one is planned for April, but a neighborhood hasn't yet been chosen).

"On our last Walk and Talk we went to Hagel Circle and Williamsburg Square. We probably knocked on about 1,000 doors," Bennett said. "The more we can be seen and making ourselves available the better."

There will be a DUI checkpoint along Rt. 1 on March 23, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. "I want people to know we're going to be out there, and for them to be aware on the road," Bennett said.

Year-to-date crime stats as of March 14, 2012