Two important issues were discussed at the January 10 LPCA meeting, held at 7:00 pm at the Lyon Park Community Center. Members were given a comprehensive review of the work of the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) and we had an in-depth discussion of the new stormwater fee that took effect 12/31/2023.

First up, representing the Community Engagement Division (CED) of the ACPD, Officer Hicken reviewed statistics for the county over the past year. Though crime stats are up in Arlington, crime is actually down in Lyon Park and its neighboring areas, notably lower in destruction of property and auto break-ins. Officer Hicken stressed the importance of locking your car and not leaving garage door openers or extra house keys where thieves can access them. Seems so basic, but it happens all too frequently. Auto thefts remain higher than in previous years, many involving delivery drivers who leave vehicles unattended. 

The officer opened the floor to questions, and the members present had plenty of them. In response to comments about specific dangerous intersections and/or traffic spots, Hicken recommends citizens request support for a Traffic Accident Reduction Program study, for which it receives grants from the state. Arlington has been quite successful in reducing traffic incidents through this program, which is part of the county’s Vision Zero project. Here is the link to request support: https://arlingtonva.qscend.com/311/request/add
Some issues, such as live/double parking, fall under the jurisdiction of transportation and parking, while ACPD focuses on emergencies. 

In response to questions about smash-and-grab shoplifting incidents, which are certainly on the rise, the officer shared that many retailers choose not to report these thefts, handling them internally, so the data is incomplete. Responding to a question about recent incidents at W-L, Hicken noted that the ACPD has less visibility of the issues as School Resource Officers are no longer on campus. Through the CED, Arlington Police encourage school engagement, including school visits, coffee with a cop, and ride-alongs, which can be requested through the website. 

Our guest speaker from Ashton Heights had to reschedule the presentation on the new stormwater fees until February, but neighbors Elaine Simmons and John Ausink, familiar with the program’s features, were able to step in and answer questions. Most homes in Lyon Park will be assessed at $258 (or one ERU), while homes with oversized footprints will be assessed higher. This fee replaces the Sanitary District Tax. Since it is a fee, the burden will hit tax-exempt entities, such as religious institutions, charities, and even the Lyon Park Community Center, which will now pay $774 per year. You can find your home’s ERU value on the county website here: https://arlgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=00ea7985a519498ba8da3f2b52bd5b43

Lots of other issues discussed, so join us in February for more great neighborhood updates.