Sterling, Virginia Crime Wave Advances
September 19th, 2008 by joe
The new category here is Sterling Crime Wave. Click on it frequently to see what is happening to our neighborhoods in eastern Loudoun County.
When the enlightened beings of the mainstream media declared Sterling Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio off-base several months ago for saying that our community was at risk of becoming a cesspool because of illegal immigration, local liberals parroted the politically correct line. They ridiculed Delgaudio.
What out-of-touch idiots they have been proven to be.
Sterling, Virginia is a suburban community which at first glance looks like every other suburb you have ever seen. But just beneath the surface lies a festering problem which becomes evident if you spend more than five minutes observing our neighborhoods.
Root of the problem? No zoning enforcement.
Our ineffectual Department of Building and Development allows illegal boarding houses for illegal aliens to operate without any threat of law enforcement whatsoever.
Lock and load, neighbors: the Loudoun County government has left us to fend for ourselves.
Following are the fruits of our feckless Department of Building and Development.
Here is last night’s headline:
Three Shot In Drive-by In Sterling Park
The shooting is only the latest in a series of violent crimes that have occurred in Sterling in the past week. Saturday, Sept. 13, two teens were injured after they were shot in front of one of the victim’s home on North Argonne Avenue. That same evening deputies were called to North Amelia Street for reports of a man coming to the front doors of people’s homes and one resident reported he was bleeding. When authorities arrived on the scene, they found the victim in the street, bleeding from a stab wound.
The sheriff’s office has not been able to determine whether tonight’s shooting is in any way related to the earlier incidents, but is investigating the possibility.
On the scene, Sheriff Stephen O. Simpson said he realizes Sterling Park needs more attention from law enforcement, but said it take resources that the sheriff’s office does not have.
“We need resources to be more proactive,” he said. “It’s all about the resources. Being proactive is the way to deal with stuff like this.”
While issues of staffing are future problems to address with the county, Simpson admitted that the Sterling community has been especially hard hit recently.
“This has been the most violent week in year without a doubt,” he said.
To all of you who grew up in the suburbs, let me ask: Did you have shootings, stabbings and home invasions in your neighborhoods? Well, we have them now, thanks to our useless county government.
Our Department of Building and Development refuses to enforce zoning laws in Sterling, allowing illegal flop houses to flourish. This leaves our Sheriff’s Office a day late and a dollar short on the rapidly escalating violent crime problem. In sum, we are screwed here. Every law abiding resident of Sterling should henceforth be armed.
You can follow all the latest crime incidents in Sterling at the “Sterling Crime Wave” link here.
Below is a retrospective of items related to the Sterling crime wave from previous entries on the NVTH blog (many from the old blog):
Sterling Rape Suspect In Custody
Shooting, Stabbing in Sterling Last Night
Sterling Rape Suspect Identified
Another Near Home Invasion In Sterling
Dispatches from Sterling: Government-Sponsored Blight
“This Election Is About Our Survival As A Country”
More Loudoun County Government Incompetence
Mike George Drops a Bomb at Loudoun Sheriff Debate
Loudoun County K-12 ESL Expenditures 2004-2008
Another Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Vignette
Sterling Citizen Responds to Sheriff Simpson
Both VA and USA Look The Other Way
Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell in Sterling
Dispatches: Goodbye to Sterling
Herndon, VA first U.S. town to seek ICE training for local police
Illegal aliens, crime and gang violence: Could there possibly be a connection
“Busted” by the Washington Post
Let’s focus on one important aspect of the current situation in Sterling. The county government is doing nothing to preempt any of the many problems listed above.
The Zoning Administration Division is doing NOTHING.
The Sheriff’s Office is, at best, responding after the fact to the incidents.
The current Board of Supervisors has presided over the biggest crime wave in Sterling history and, so far, is doing nothing to solve it.
The Loudoun County government is useless. Lock and load, friends, lock and load.
This entry was posted on Friday, September 19th, 2008 at 3:36 am and is filed under Community, Sterling Crime Wave. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
September 19th, 2008 at 6:06 am
The sheriff’s dept Web site links to a new feature where you can see all the latest incidents. The clusters in SP and the Sugarland area are pretty alarming. Check these out … and they’re all from the last two weeks. (If the link doesn’t work, just go to crimereports.com and type in ZIP 20164.)
http://www.crimereports.com/map/index/?search=39%20Catoctin%20Cir%20SE+Leesburg+VA
September 19th, 2008 at 6:08 am
Actually, that link automatically takes you to somewhere around Leesburg … so type in 20164 to get to Sterling.
September 19th, 2008 at 6:47 am
HAVE OPINIONS ANYONE.
Board Balks At Police Department Study
By Erika Jacobson
(Created: Wednesday, September 3, 2008 4:53 PM EDT)
(Leesburg Today)
Loudoun County Sheriff Stephen O. Simpson succeeded Tuesday in derailing a proposal to study the efficiencies to be gained through the establishment of a county police force, with a majority of Loudoun Supervisors unwilling to back the proposal by County Chairman Scott K. York (I-At Large).
“It is no secret that over the last five years I have thought that we should have a discussion of a police force versus a sheriff’s department in law enforcement,” York said.
“We have grown 280,000 [residents] in our community.”
York said it was important to take a look at the sheriff’s office to see if there is a more efficient way to provide services to county residents, saying the board is in “deep doo-doo with the budget.”
“We have taken a look at the schools, which is the first deep cut of the budget. Then the sheriff’s office is number two,” he said. He added that his proposal was to look at the whether the system currently being used is working. “If it is, then we move forward. If it is not, are there things programmatically we can do to improve it?”
The idea of the study was called into question by some including Simpson, who said after Tuesday’s board of supervisors’ meeting that the study was only another attempt to removing some of the duties of his office.
“I am getting tired of the kick in the teeth,” he told supervisors. “Why are we looking at ways to spend more money to fix something that’s not broken? I think it’s a shame we’re going here again.”
While he has brought the issue forward in the past, York highlighted the potential switch to a police department during the new board’s term during an address to the Chamber of Commerce in January. At that meeting, York said looking into the need for a police department was one of his top priorities for the year.
Tuesday he said he was surprised he even found support for discussion about it from his fellow supervisors.
Those supervisors, however, were hesitant to move down the road of studying the sheriff’s office at this time.
Supervisor Sally Kurtz (D-Catoctin), while saying she supported studies that determine how efficient a county department is, pointing to the one recently done by the school system, said she wanted to wait to hear from county staff before proceeding. During the board’s strategic planning session in July, the examination of the method of providing law enforcement services in the county was one of the board’s initiatives, but staff has yet to give its report on the best way to address the issue.
Supervisor Stevens Miller (D-Dulles), who called Simpson to the board meeting so he could be present when supervisors discussed the item, said he did not think the time was right for such a review.
“I would think that the right time, if ever, to investigate this endeavor is when we have a sheriff that would support the idea,” Miller said. “I am not anticipating greater efficiency [with a police department] because then we would have two departments instead of one.”
If a police department were formed it would take over all of the law enforcement duties currently held by the sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office would still be responsible for court security, civil process and operations of the Adult Detention Center.
Simpson acknowledged that he would still have a job if a police department were formed, but pointed out that there are benefits to having an elected sheriff and giving the residents a say in who is in charge of law enforcement.
“The only change that comes out of this: I’m elected, not appointed,” he said.
The issue of accountability came up at the meeting as well, with Supervisor Andrea McGimsey (D-Potomac) asking Simpson what she should tell her constituents in Cascades about why they do not have a community police officer, as they have requested.
Simpson said he could not place a community police officer in the eastern Loudoun community because he was not granted the positions requested in the budget and did not have the personnel he needed.
“That’s one of the biggest things that I would like to look at,” McGimsey said.
Some supervisors, however, did tell Simpson communicating better with the board and with citizens would help him.
“What I have heard is concern from citizens and board member about a lack of response,” Supervisor Kelly Burk (D-Leesburg) said.
Just before withdrawing his motion, York told his fellow board members they had missed the point.
“This goes beyond any of that,” he said. “This is about talking about community. This is about the fact that the direction that we would like to see happen, sometimes doesn’t.”
September 19th, 2008 at 8:27 am
FYI: GANG AWARENESS MEETING NEXT WEEK
I don’t know whay this meeting is not for the Sterling and Sugarland District’s, however here is the information:
Gang Awareness Meeting
Sugarland Run District Supervisor Susan Klimek Buckley, the Sugarland Run Home Owners Association and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office are sponsoring a free gang awareness seminar for the Sugarland Run community. The seminar will be held Thursday, Sept. 25, from 7:30-8:30 p.m., at Seneca Ridge Middle School, 98 Seneca Ridge Drive in Sterling. Members of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Gang Intelligence Unit (GUI) will be educating residents regarding gang activity in the county and the surrounding region and Members of the Gang Response Intervention Team (GRIT) will be present to talk about intervention and prevention programs. E-mail questions to Sugarland.run.district@loudoun.gov
September 19th, 2008 at 9:06 am
I’m not sure that a police force versus Sheriff’s office is a valid argument. The zoning dep’t should be accountable to the BOS and look at how unwilling it is to investigate and act on the overcrowding in Sterling. At least the Sheriff can be thrown out of office by the voters in 2011.
I will note that years ago the SPSTA HOA quietly formed an armed neighborhood watch. Word went around the gangbangers pretty quickly because things did quiet down there. Once the guy behind it moved no one really kept it going, and the scum has obviously noticed and moved back in.
September 19th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Just received this Emergency meeting notice:
Friday, September 19, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Supervisors to hold an Emergency Community Meeting in Eastern Loudoun
Chairman Scott K. York, Vice Chairman Susan Buckley (Sugarland Run), and Supervisors Andrea McGimsey (Potomac) and Eugene Delgaudio (Sterling) will hold a community meeting September 23, 2008, in the Park View High School Auditorium at 6:30 PM to discuss the recent rash of violent crimes, including shootings, in Eastern Loudoun County. All citizens from the Potomac, Sterling and Sugarland Run Districts are invited to attend. Sheriff Steve Simpson will also be present.
For additional information please contact:
Keith Nusbaum – 703-771-5988
Aide to Chairman York
Debra Jenkins – 571-258-3344
Aide to Vice Chairman Buckley
September 19th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Thanks, Cath, I had not heard about that meeting.
Things are going to have to get worse before they get better … I think this is just the beginning, considering the only uproar I am aware of is right here on this blog and over at LCA. Not exactly torches and pitchforks yet.
September 19th, 2008 at 10:46 am
“I’m not sure that a police force versus Sheriff’s office is a valid argument. ”
I believe it is. If for not other reason that a Police Chief can be relieved of duty at any time during his watch if he/she fails to meet the obligations of the dept.
Gang awareness seminar ? Shootings and stabbings, can’t get much more gang awareness than that.
This BOS is useless.
September 19th, 2008 at 10:46 am
I suggest organizing ARMED patrols. Remember, you can open-carry so long as the magazine cannot hold more than 20 rounds.
September 19th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Dan, I know what you are arguing, but a appointed Police Chief can become political and pandering. One needs to look no further than Fairfax County. I see benefits and pitfalls in both appointed and elected Law Enforcement heads.
The LCSO has been underfunded for years. If the BOS hadn’t been so far up the School Board’s a** for the past 10 years, perhaps we’d have the ratio of deputies/citizens we need. I don’t know how forceful Simpson has been in his budget debates and I don’t want to come across as defending him, but in my opinion this is not just a matter of being able to fire Simpson. He was not out front of any of the issues contributing to the recent increase in crime, but neither was the BOS. There is plenty of blame to go around.
September 19th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Does the word AUDIT mean anything to anyone.
LCSO and other offices need to be audited to see where the money is going to. With the rise in taxes and school growth there should be audits done to confirm the need for rising taxes and why the sheriff’s office does not supposedly have enough funds to cover loudoun county for patrol duties.
oh BTW did anyone catch this article in LTMIRROR?
County bracing for $176 million budget shortfall
9/17/2008
A growing school system and a still slumping housing market will continue to have dramatic effects on Loudoun’s fiscal situation, as county officials are predicting a budget shortfall next year of $176 million. | 0 comments - ›› more …
http://tinyurl.com/3uheyg
TIME to rethink AUDIT’S
September 19th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Dans, yes this BoS is pretty useless. I would suggest it is a mistake giving ANY useless BoS of the moment a police department under their direct control.
Loudoun needs to update its form of government, and separate out powers with statutory rights and duties so that elected officials do not control all administrative functions.
In Loudoun, the BoS controls everything. That scares me more than some of the other problems we have.
I’m all for historic preservation, but our form of county government was outgrown some time ago. They should be instituting a study of which of the other forms available to us under state code would best meet our needs.
After we have a County Executive Form or County Manager Form, or SOME OTHER FORM, where the rights and duties are separated and delineated under state law, THAT’S when we talk about switching to a police department.
Not while we are at the mercy of whatever bunch of bozos had the best ads last time for a 30% turnout.
September 19th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Well time to dig in or get out.
The BOS is useless and reform is not going to be soon.
Most of the people in SP are happy to complain but not willing to get off thier duff to patrol.
The LCSO is tired of dealing with SP I got that msg loud and clear couple of years ago.
I think you need to start organizing patrols.
September 19th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
It’s a sad state of affairs when I have to go out on my front porch at night armed. My little corner (my street) is perused on a regular basis because I am not going to be a stat in the local paper or crime blotter. These incidents and articles show nothing else but you ARE NOT PROTECTED by the county or state-it is left in your hands. Well, that is our GOD-given right and I intend to do just that. When laws are enacted that curtail my being able to protect myself; that is a line drawn. Being that life is the most precious gift given, I will do what is necessary to protect that right. I would rather be alive and wrong (i.e. carrying a firearm on no carry property; more than 20 rounds; shooting FIRST at a deadly threat; etc) then DEAD RIGHT!
September 19th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6, huh Act? I agree.
September 19th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Cathymac,
Zactly! Keep those eyes sharp and the Glock at the ready!
September 19th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I have seen Simpson and his top lieutenants a couple of times at open meetings with the previous LCBOS. For a considerable period now, Simpson, as I recall, has been seeking a better deputy/population ratio based on various national studies and recommendations. The times I witnessed such encounters, his proposals seemed to be met with a sort of contempt by some LCBOS members regardless of party affiliation, even in a time of fat budgets. On one occasion, he was sitting in the audience and hadn’t even raised that specific issue. One of the Sups took a public cheap shot at him right out of the blue about his requests.
I thought it was a stupid, petulant reaction by some on that LCBOS and still do. They acted like they didn’t even want to have a serious, adult discussion about the future of public safety in this county. Everything with that LCBOS was development, development, development and attracting business, business, and more business, not to mention what to do with all the new “students” in the county.
I don’t know what went on in the closed sessions, so I cannot comment on the forcefulness of Simpson’s advocacy there, but I did sense in the public ones that he might just have thrown up his hands in disgust at the way his proposals were being treated.
I don’t know the dynamics of this issue with regard to the current LCBOS. I have, however, noticed, sadly, their recent complaints about unauthorized signs on the highways and someone’s inane proposal to fund a sign clean-up by cutting staff at the proposed Western Loudoun Sheriff’s Office Substation. Now I wonder how long it will be before some clown makes the same proposal vis-a-vis the Eastern Loudoun substation.
With this LCBOS, anything is possible. I once watched them argue for almost half an hour on whether a gas station along Route 50 ought to be allowed to have more than two gas pumps! I finally left the boardroom in disgust. Maybe some good will come of finding lead-filled bodies on the streets and in the commercial parking lots of Sterling Park if they finally serve to wake somebody up in Leesburg and especally those west of Leesburg.
September 19th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
suburbanite,
“it is a mistake giving ANY useless BoS of the moment a police department under their direct control”
Very good point. Yes, I agree there that there maybe some budgetary issues within LCSO, but I am not buying that this is all of it. What is the alternative when we have a Sheriff we have little confidence in ? Have our state delegates introduce legislation allowing recall ?
September 19th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Wolv,
“They acted like they didn’t even want to have a serious, adult discussion”
I thought they only talked to us this way..
September 19th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
All I know, is that if there were this kind of violence in Brambleton or Lowe’s Island there would be a huge firestorm and everyone would living in those areas would be outraged.
September 19th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Given the projected budget deficit and the Sheriff’s inability to sufficiently staff high crime areas, might our Supervisors consider furloughing without pay our county employees to fund the deficit and provide additional financial resources for law enforcement? Would anyone even notice if the zoning department was absent?
September 19th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
SterlingSteve is right, sad but true that the outrage is coming too little too late. As one lady so eloquently put it at the community input meeting at Park View HS - “we are tired of being Loudoun’s red haired step child.”
Barbara, Too funny - Why not just fire the entire zoning dept and hire a couple college kids to drive around the county and write reports, I’m sure they would be more effective.
September 19th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Wy can’t we incorporate eastern Loudoun ?
September 19th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I understand all your comments but I fail to see what your responses will do to change the current LCBOS and the LCSO. What can the residents of Sterling Park do to make a change?
If community members carried their 9mm or whatever they choose to carry, would they be able to use their weapon if needed to protect themselves or another person regardless of charges that may occur afterwards. Just a thought.
A question to approach the LCSO and the LCBOS is how would they handle crime in their neighborhood?
Would they agree with a community of citizens carrying a weapon or not? (private army patrol)
Would they personally carry at home?
Community involment would go a long way. Force the LCSO to do their job by making them accountable. Easier said than done, especially with Sheriff Simpson saying there’s not enough personal or funds.
A few questions to ponder:
Why does he not have enough personal?
How many left the sheriff’s office after the election this year?
How many like last elections were demoted or not re-instated into the department?
How many resigned due to being de-moted after this last election?
Has anyone asked these questions?
Its been real quiet like since this election compared to last election.
How is moral in the LCSO? How effective is Sheriff Simpson in his duties? All play a hand in how the staff and Deputy’s do their jobs. Sheriff Simpson was elected but I wonder if he can be removed before his 3rd term is completed?
Then ask yourself, people leave or not re-instated but the ( Budget) money stays. If Simpson does not hire new personal, than where does the money go to? Back to the county budget or directed to another need within the LCSO, like vests, service dogs, raises for underpaid deputy’s? A valid question I think.
And finally,
The zoning department, that needs an automatic overhaul, right now. No questions, your fired.
Start over.
September 19th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Marjorie,
“If community members carried their 9mm or whatever they choose to carry, would they be able to use their weapon if needed to protect themselves or another person regardless of charges that may occur afterwards. Just a thought.”
In Virginia, those who may legally possess a handgun may legally open carry today, However if you do not have a concealed carry permit, there are a few more restrictions. State law says that you may use deadly force to prevent imminent bodily harm to yourself or a third party. Even so, you may still be charged, as homicide is still homicide, even if it is later determined to be justifiable. Not to mention any civil action that may arise. Would I accept this risk for myself or a family member, no question. For others, not so sure.
There is a LoCo ordinance that you may only discharge a firearm in eastern Loudoun in defense of yourself. I am not sure if this has ever been tested in court as it does appear to infringe on state statute with regard to defense. Even with preemption, the state does allow localities to determine where firearms may and may not be discharged.
I guess what I am saying is that carrying a firearm is a big responsibility, will legal issues that MUST be completely understood.
If the number of concealed carry permit applications went through the roof, this would certainly get peoples attention. The media would probably go bonkers with this, maybe even getting more press on our crime problem.
September 19th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Dans, there is provision for recall under state code.
Two things are necessary. You must gather the signatures of registered voters equal to ten percent of the number who voted in the election for the office you want to recall.
You can’t just be angry or dissatisfied with the officeholder; they have to be convicted of a crime.
September 20th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
BarbaraN said:
September 19th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Given the projected budget deficit and the Sheriff’s inability to sufficiently staff high crime areas, might our Supervisors consider furloughing without pay our county employees to fund the deficit and provide additional financial resources for law enforcement? Would anyone even notice if the zoning department was absent?
Barbara and others :
The 800 lb gorilla in the room is Loudoun County Public Schools.
You live in a county, the only county in the region that has allowed schools to consume 70 plus % of all revenue. For example Fairfax and Prince William are in the 50-55% range.
What you will hear at the upcoming meeting is as follows :
1. We are broke, we don’t have the money to properly staff zoning and law enforcement.
2. FY 2009 , we are 176 million in the hole, it is not going to get any better anytime soon.There will be no additional funding.
How did we get here ? We allowed King Hatrick to amass an empire. Make no mistake, the current BOS is not in charge. Hatrick is, he has all of the money. The board gets to run the County ( everything other than schools ) on the 30% that is left. The priorities , percentages and proportions are out of wack. This is the back drop from which we operate.
That being said what can we do ?
Spending aside for one second.
IMHO we need to fire those responsible for creating the atmosphere that has allowed this activity to flourish.
That starts with Terry Whorten. It is his Zoning department that has failed and is uninterested in solving these issues. This BOS must demand he be replaced with a reform minded administrator who in more interested in actually solving the problem than making excuses.
The board needs to formulate a short list of short term goals pertaining to the specific issues in Sterling. Those goals in the area of Zoning ( code enforcement ) and law enforcement should be financed with emergency funding at once. That funding should be taken directly from the Loudoun County Schools budget as to not create an additional deficit. The Board should hold an emergency meeting with schools and all effected agencies. Schools should be given a period of time to come up with programs or construction projects to be eliminated, put on hold or pushed into 2011. Those monies could then be used for additional Sheriffs patrols as well as increased code enforcement.
None of this is worth doing without new leadership inside county Government. Simply giving the same group of poor performing administrators more money is tantamount to throwing the money down a hole.
This is an issue of leadership, when that leadership is found they must be giving the tools to effect change and reform
September 20th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Money money money.
Has anyone checked into Prince William County to see how much their county finances improved since they have called a halt to paying for illegal’s?
Why doesn’t Loudoun County do the same? If the fy2009 is 176 million in the hole already why not enforce the issue with the LCBOS(monetary issue) and the sheriff’s office. (Patrol issues)
The board is responsible to the county and how it spends the residents tax dollars and it’s allotments to the schools and sheriff’s department. They want to raise the taxes once again to make up the dollar they have mismanaged and still keep paying to keep the illegals in Loudoun County.
What does this NEW TAX gain for the residents of Loudoun, well let’s see…
Higher taxes
Less effective law enforcement allowing illegals and other criminals to become more bold to commit crimes due to lack of sufficient personal in the department.
Hospitals in need of money or to the closing point
Over crowding in schools means busing your child miles away from home
Equity in home declines due to high crime rate in the county
The list can go on and on.
If the board has let the issue in SP get this out of hand, what makes you think they can handle emergency tactics at this point?
Loudoun county will have to wait for the next election unless a clause in the Boards election rules allow for an emergency vote to remove members who fail to perform their duties for the betterment and safety for the residents of Loudoun County