🌱 Vienna PD Investigates Two Recent Crimes + FCPD Staffing Shortage

Hey, hello! It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Vienna Patch newsletter. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening in town today.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Windy and not as cool. High: 55 Low: 32.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and breezy. High: 60 Low: 34.

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Here are the top three stories today in Vienna:

1. Vienna Police are investigating two recent crimes, a stolen vehicle and a theft at a local restaurant. On Feb. 28, an employee at Skorpios Maggio’s Family Restaurant reported that the cash drawer and tip jar had been stolen. The suspects broke into the restaurant while it was closed the night of Feb. 27 and were last seen heading south on Berry Street SE. Police released surveillance images of the suspects and asked the public for help identifying them. On Thursday morning, Mar. 2, an elderly woman parked her vehicle outside Truist Bank. When she returned, the vehicle had been stolen. (Vienna Patch)
2. The Fairfax County Police Department has a staffing shortage and needs nearly 200 police officers. The county has only proposed a two percent raise for Fairfax County employees and police in the new proposed budget, which according to some will not help attract the desperately needed new police officers. Steve Monahan, the president of the Fairfax Chapter of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association said, "This is going to impact Fairfax County citizens and community members in a negative way. I don’t know if the county executive realizes that. And the impact that that's going to do to this prestigious title that this county has which is the safest jurisdiction of its size." (WJLA)
3. The Fairfax County's Board of Supervisors has authorized an additional $54,000 for Vienna's Tapawingo and Kingsley road urban bioretention project, which aims to contain runoff and calm traffic. The project will add two bioretention areas, rain gardens, which will be covered with a combination of perennial plants and grass sod. The cells will treat stormwater runoff as it goes into Hunter's Branch of the Accotink Creek watershed, providing nutrient reduction and improved water quality, as well as helping to calm traffic on Meadow Lane. (Tysons Reporter)

Today and tomorrow in Vienna:

Saturday, March 4

• Steep Canyon Rangers: Live At The Barns At Wolf Trap (8:00 PM)

Sunday, March 5

• Cherish The Ladies: Live Music At The Barns At Wolf Trap (3:00 PM)
• First To Eleven: Live At Jammin Java (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) is reviewing incidents, beginning in 2021, in which Fairfax County Police officers fired their guns. PERF will try to identify performance patterns, deficiencies, or trends. (WAVY.com)
• Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts is hiring a seasonal Wolf Trap "Wolfie" Mascot for mid-May to mid-September in Vienna – learn more and apply here. Wolf Trap is also hiring a seasonal Audience Development Assistant for April through September – learn more and apply here. (APAP via Twitter; APAP via Twitter)
• An adorable Maine Coon Domestic Long Hair mix kitten named Peppermint Patty needs a forever home! See Peppermint Patty and more adoptable pets in the Vienna area at the link. (Vienna Patch)

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Featured events:

• Book and Media Sale! (March 4)
• Master Singers of VA Presents Sing Her Song (March 4)
• The DC Big Flea March 4-5th (March 5)
• The Power of Practice: Yogic Breathing with BK Shila Sanghani (On Zoom) (March 8)
• Parenting Expert and Author Lynn Lyons Presents: Improving Your Family’s Emotional Health (March 15)
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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all soon for another update!

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!