Crime Report for September 22-28
Drunk in Public, 300 blk. S Oak St., September 23, 03:50 PM. A 42 year old Arlington man was arrested for being drunk in public.
Possession of Marijuana, 900 blk Ellison St., September 25, 00:08 AM. A 40 year old City of Falls Church man was arrested for possession of marijuana.
Drunk in Public, 1100 blk S Washington St., September 25, 04:12 AM. A 27 year old Falls Church man was arrested for being drunk in public.
Larceny, 200 blk Little Falls St., September 25, 3:43 PM, a Bump BMX style bicycle was stolen from a residence.
Drunk in Public, 100 blk Park Pl., September 26, 01:13 AM. A 23 year old Arlington woman was arrested for being drunk in public.
Driving Under the Influence, 6600 blk of Wilson Blvd., (Eden Center), September 26, 02:02 AM. A 34 year old Quakertown, PA man was arrested for driving under the influence.
Larceny, 400 blk Maple Ave., sometime between August 15 and August 22 a K2 OZ-X bicycle was stolen from the storage area of an apartment building.
Larceny – Shoplifting, 1150 W Broad St., (CVS), September 26, 2:17 PM. Two black male suspects stole items valued at $626 from the store.
Driving Under the Influence, 800 blk of W Broad St., September 26, 10:50 PM. A 38 year old Holland, PA man was arrested for driving under the influence.
Disorderly Conduct, 220 N Washington St., (State Theatre), September 27, 00:34 AM. A 32 year old Oakton man was arrested for disorderly conduct.
Driving Under the Influence, 200 blk E Broad St., September 27, 03:45 AM. A 23 year old Salisbury, MD resident was arrested for driving under the influence.
Arson, 7124 Leesburg Pike, (George Mason High School), September 27, 11:28 AM. A trashcan in front of the school was set on fire by an unknown suspect.
Driving Under the Influence, 600 blk Roosevelt Blvd, September 27, 10:04 PM. A 40 year old Adelphi, MD resident was arrested for driving under the influence.
By Falls Church Times Staff
September 30, 2009
Why is it necessary to report, “Two black male suspects stole…,” when all other incidents merely state, “A 40 year old Adelphi, MD resident…,” A 32 year old Oakton man…,”A 23 year old Arlington woman…,” etc. This is done in most news outlets, be it print, TV, or radio. We’re always quick to identify black, Hispanic, and Asian. Rarely do we hear, read white. Eleven people were identified in this list…yet, it was [only] pointed out that two were black. The other nine were purple, green, blue, or perhaps (OMG) white?
(EDITOR’S RESPONSE: We passed this question to the City’s communications director, Barbara Gordon, who obtained the following reply from Falls Church Police Capt. Richard Campbell:
“Generally speaking, if we have a description for a suspect we will put it out in the hope that if anyone has additional information, they would contact us. As to [the] question “how does the information “black males” help anyone to identify a possible suspect?”, I would have to say that, obviously, eliminating females reduces the field of suspects by about 50%. Other descriptors, such as a suspect’s race, ethnicity, hair color, etc. further reduces the field of possible suspects.”)
Thanks, Captain, but your response still puzzles me. “Reduces the field of suspects.” That would imply, I think, a perp is still on the loose and a description has been given (or not, so one is to assume). However, the above list sounds as if these persons were arrested. Wasn’t their color obvious at the time? I’m not trying to beat a dead horse here. I just don’t want to continue to see it reinforced that minorities/people of color are the only ones we hear, loud and clear, involved in crime.