Crime in Fairfax County Virginia

Running Head : CRIME IN FAIRFAX

Crime in Fairfax

Felicia R . McIntyre

October 12 , 2006

Abstract

The political organization or the government may take in different forms , yet , each form aims to regulate the interrelationships of the people within their territorial boundaries , the relations of the people with the community as a whole and the transactions of the community with other political entities . Inevitably , violations and misdemeanors do take place in the community . One of the most ruthless violations that are prevalent in cities or municipalities nowadays is a crime

. Since crime is rampant in Fairfax County , the government under the Urban Executive County form ensures public safety and protection through its quality police and safety services carried out primarily by the Fairfax County Police Department

Crime in Fairfax

In every organization , a set of effective internal controls and preventive measures are of great importance in to achieve the targeted goals established by the organization . In the same way , the government creates laws and preventive policies to protect its citizens against troubles and dreadful conditions and to preserve peace and harmony among the citizens (Lineberry , 1993 . In addition , Lineberry (1993 ) explained that the government designed these laws and policies to regulate human behavior . What is more , the government set guidelines remedies , and punishments if the citizens do not conform to the laws Inevitably , violations and misdemeanors do take place . One of the most ruthless violations that are prevalent in cities or municipalities nowadays is a crime

A stated by Brownlie (1999 , in a non-technical sense , a crime is an act that goes against a political or ethical directive . In several countries , informal relationships and corrective measures are unsuccessful for preventing and regulating some types of antisocial behavior , for that reason , the government is obliged to formalize the system of HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Social_control " \o "Social control " social controls . Furthermore , Brownlie (1999 ) made clear that more often than not , the of crime and the associated social indignity referred for those actions causing considerable loss and destruction to the citizens of the country . The use of the crime points toward a consensus of condemnation for the identified behavior and , in the event that an accused is at fault after a hearing applying principles of appropriate actions , to rationalize the state enforcing necessary measures (Roleff , 1999 . According to Roleff (1999 , the perpetrator of the crime in general is an ordinary person but in some jurisdictions and in some moral environments , also authorities or officials have the capability of perpetrating offenses or crimes . In metaphorical sense , even the state can perpetrate a crime even though in legal sense this is often not the case . Roleff (1999 justifies that people commit crimes mainly for two reasons . First criminalization might be a defensive , harm-reduction device , using the risk of punishment as a restriction to those intending to engage in the behavior triggering damage (Roleff , 1999 . The state becomes involved for the reason that they normally believe that the costs of not criminalizing such as letting the damages to persist unabated , outweigh the costs of criminalizing it such as restricting individual HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Liberty " \o "Liberty " liberty so as to lessen harm to others . Secondly , criminalization is also a way to make prospective criminal pay for their crimes (Roleff , 1999 . In this instance , criminalization is a way to set the price that one must pay (to society ) for particular actions that are considered detrimental to society as a whole . In this sense , criminalization is nothing more than state-sanctioned vengeance (Roleff , 1999

To combat the dilemma on crimes , government created agencies that specialize and operate on addressing crime prevention and solution . This intends to give details on these agencies , particularly in a county government such as the Fairfax County , how these agencies and departments influence finding and implement solutions to the problem on criminalization . Moreover , it explains how the Urban Executive County form of government affects these laws and measures

Fairfax County

Consistent with the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan (2003 Fairfax County is the most populous county in Virginia having an estimated population of over 1 million . Formed in 1742 , Fairfax County is rich in history , particularly from the Colonial and Civil War periods

At present , Fairfax is a modern urban county encompassing almost four hundred square miles as stated in the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan (2003 . Furthermore , the Comprehensive Plan (2003 ) illustrates that the county is an urban county executive form of government with a county executive and department heads , including the Chief of Police , appointed by an elected ten-member board of supervisors . The Administrative head or the Urban County Executive of county is the one responsible to the board of supervisors for the proper administration of all the affairs of the county that the board has authority to control . This administrator serves at the pleasure of the board and effectively exercises powers that are ministerial in nature (Coppa , 2000 . The Board of Supervisors upon the recommendation of the County Executive , may do the appointment and selection of officers and employees . The Board may also allow County Executive to appoint department heads and may authorize department heads to appoint subordinates ( HYPERLINK "http /www .fairfaxcounty .gov www .fairfaxcounty .gov

Because of its nearness to the nation 's capital , Fairfax County has become part of the center of activity on the Washington , D .C . area Every day thousands of people pass by the county . The increase in the federal labor force during and after World War II , and the persistent progress of business and technology , has made the economy of the Fairfax County better ( HYPERLINK "http /www .fairfaxcounty .gov www .fairfaxcounty .gov . Nowadays , high technology firms and other businesses are visible in the county . Fairfax County 's economic progress resulted to a lot of help and benefits . The residents of the county get pleasure from the development and advanced technologies . Nevertheless the improvement has created not only enjoyment , but also challenges in terms of land use , housing , and transportation

The growth for the past sixty years has greatly transformed the character of the County as explained in the Comprehensive Plan (2003 There have been increases in population , business , housing , highways and shopping centers . This population explosion has caused a number of necessities that have dictated law enforcement needs in the community HYPERLINK "http /www .fairfaxcounty .gov " www .fairfaxcounty .gov Formerly , a sheriff and several deputies held sole responsibility for law enforcement , however , nowadays the largest local Police Department in the Commonwealth of Virginia executes law enforcement functions whereas the Sheriff 's Office performs correctional and civil process functions

Expectedly , the changes in demographics , boost of business activities , and the resulting prosperity have caused several crime trends . The crime rate in Fairfax increased as well as the violence According to the 2005 Final Index Crime Statistics , the number of offenses per record from larceny , motor vehicle theft , and burglary . All of these factors have combined to shape the Fairfax County Police Department as it is today

The Fairfax County Police Department

Established in 1940 , the Fairfax County Police Department started its operations with an initial force of only five officers ( HYPERLINK "http /www .fairfaxcounty .gov " www .fairfaxcounty .gov . At present the department has more than 1 ,350 officers and more than 340 civilian personnel . With Chief McIntosh as their Chief Commander , the Fairfax County Police took a hard stand against crime . The economic growth and the increase in population triggered bigger opportunities for crime however , criminals discovered quickly that the County 's police force was determined on keeping Fairfax County crime-free ( HYPERLINK "http /www .fairfaxcounty .gov " www .fairfaxcounty .gov

The Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan (2003 ) expounds that in 1990 the Fairfax County Police Department 's personnel reached to over 900 officers and 400 civilian support employees . The area assignments for these employees consist of seven district police stations , a headquarters , and several other facilities . The requirement for specialization , which has associated with the Department 's progress , has caused numerous operating units for such different fields such as explosive ordnance disposal , forensics , helicopter support , computerized fingerprint analysis , and traffic safety ( HYPERLINK "http /www .fairfaxcounty .gov " www .fairfaxcounty .gov

In fifty years , the main goal of the Department changed a little and became more extensive in terms of service and protection . The primary goals o the Department consist of preserving peace and assuring the safety of the residents of Fairfax County , serving justice to law breakers , and helping out citizens wherever and whenever assistance is considered necessary ( HYPERLINK "http /www .fairfaxcounty .gov www .fairfaxcounty .gov . The apparent change is evident on how the Department achieves these targeted goals . With bigger work force and increased reliance on up to date or modern technology , the Department always finds a way to enhance its service while maintaining the level of quality service and commitment Fairfax County residents have come to anticipate

A Professional Organization

With over 1200 sworn police officers and over 500 civilian personnel , the Fairfax County Police Department is the biggest local law enforcement agency in Virginia ( HYPERLINK "http /www .fairfaxcounty .gov " www .fairfaxcounty .gov . In fact , it was the first police department in the Commonwealth to receive an accreditation from Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission as evident in their Comprehensive Plan (2003 . Every now and then , the department makes an evaluation or assessment with regards to its services rendered . Based on this evaluation , the department heads and responsible officers propose strategies to improve the services . The different services provided by the department present opportunities for training and assignment in lots of specialized areas ( HYPERLINK "http /www .fairfaxcounty .gov " www .fairfaxcounty .gov . As the community keeps on growing , the need for highly competent individuals to take part in the provision of police services to the citizens of the County continues to grow as well

Mission and Vision Statement

The mission of the Fairfax County Police Department is to provide protection to the citizens as well as to their properties through necessary law enforcement and public safety services , while promoting community participation , stability , and by means of service support , and visibility ( HYPERLINK "http /www .fairfaxcounty .gov www .fairfaxcounty .gov

The supervision and operation of the Fairfax County Police Department will be carried out to give necessary law enforcement , public safety , and associated services to the public while making use of the most economical and effective methods accessible , preserving its recognized professional standards , and optimizing community involvement ( HYPERLINK "http /www .fairfaxcounty .gov " www .fairfaxcounty .gov

Office of the Chief of Police

The responsibility for the overall supervision of the Department as well as the major areas of personnel administration , training , fiscal management , and policy formulation is designated to the Chief of Police as explained in the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan (2003 . The Comprehensive Plan (2003 ) explained that as department head , the Chief of Police reports directly to the County Executive . The Chief of Police received assistance in the supervision of the Department from a policy board consisted of the Deputy Chiefs and Bureau Commanders . In the event that the Chief of Police is not present , the Chief of Police will assign the authority for the running of the Department for the period of the absence to one of the Deputy Chiefs

Community Policing

When it comes to delivering its police services , the Fairfax County Police Department uses the method known a community policing HYPERLINK "http /www .fairfaxcounty .gov " www .fairfaxcounty .gov . With this approach , the police department practices the close , interactive relationship between officer and community members . The officers and the community members work harmoniously together to achieve their common goal of preventing crime and providing solutions to it effects . The police department gives emphasis on the underlying causes of crimes by means of evaluating the nature of the problem in the locality and the use of proper , mutually supported problem solving solutions in a partnership role ( HYPERLINK "http /www .fairfaxcounty .gov www .fairfaxcounty .gov . The department uses two basic components community partnership , and problem solving in its community policing initiatives

Fairfax County 's public safety agencies give the highest level of quality services possible . Some of the programs and services provided by the public safety agencies include Fire and Rescue Department , Police Department , Department of Public Safety Communications and Sheriff 's Office ( HYPERLINK "http /www .fairfaxcounty .gov www .fairfaxcounty .gov . Moreover , the county government created an Office of Emergency Management that educates residents on possible dangers in the community and how to defend themselves and their families by preparing in advance . Fairfax County also has numerous programs and schemes in the aspect of gang prevention since gang violence is also a problem in the community

Union County /Charter Revision

A set of prevention policies or laws will not achieve its purpose if not implemented well . Problems in implementation arise when the budget is not enough to finance the project . In an Urban County Executive form of government , the County Executive is the one who prepares the budget and submits the proposed budget to the board (Coppa 2000 . Unavoidably , problems such as revenue limitations and county reform measures do take place . There is a delay on the implementation of a particular proposed project since the county government relies completely on the property tax for revenues and the greater part of the resources goes to State-mandated functions

In view of this fact , there is a consideration given to another County Charter Law known as Optional County Charter Law (Coppa , 2000 According to Coppa (2000 , the Charter Law recommends the County Manager Plan form of county government . Moreover , Coppa (2000 ) gave details that this form of government aims to answer the problem on representative government . The County Manager Plan is consists of a board with nine members to elected at-large for staggered terms (Coppa , 2000 . This Plan consistent with the explanation of Coppa (2000 , presents political and legislative leadership in the form of an elected board of freeholders and administrative competence in the form of County Manager . The Freeholder Board of nine members would not deal with the administrative particulars of managing the daily operation of the County rather they would concentrate on the areas of legislating , making policy , and being open and receptive to the citizenry (Coppa , 2000 . Accomplishment of policy and administration of departmental activities would be under the professional control and supervision of the County Manager . The government practices the at-large elections to make sure that the Board of Freeholders is accountable to and representative of all of the citizens (Coppa , 2000 . Terms spread over a period of time (three board members elected one year , and three in each of the following two years-all for three-year terms ) will provide for stability of experience while giving the voters numerous opportunity to communicate their opinions (Coppa , 2000

Conclusion

Since crime in Fairfax is one of the most challenging problems nowadays , Fairfax County created a way to combat the dilemma . Thus , the county government created the Fairfax Police Department . It is the expectation of Fairfax County Police Department that citizens will become more conscious of steps and measures that they can take to guarantee their security and assist to maximize the delivery of law enforcement services . Moreover , the department expects to achieve this by developing a partnership between the Department and individuals and groups to inform , involve , and develop confidence among members of the community

Recommendations

Since Fairfax County provides a range of services and facilities for all its populace , in to maintain a safe and productive lifestyle , the county government must give considerable attention to the proposed County Manager Plan . At present , Fairfax County carries out its responsibilities successfully mainly because of community participation The County Manager Plan , if implemented effectively and efficiently , can produce a better government and has a greater chance of reducing costs Since public participation is a significant tool concerning the county 's progress , the County Manager Plan answers this aspect through the representative form of government . This Plan wishes to combat the problems on the lack of professional administrative and planning capability , extreme disintegration of the government and the absence of policy controls

References

Beitz , C . R (1999 . Political theory and international relations . New York : Princeton University Press

Brownlie , Alison (1999 . Crime and punishment : Changing attitudes 1900-2000 . Austin , Tex : Raintree Steck-Vaughn

Coppa , F . J (2000 . County government : A guide to efficient and accountable government . Westport , CT : Praeger Publishers

Fairfax county comprehensive plan (2003 ) Retrieved on August 15 , 2006 from http /www .fairfax .va .us /government /board

Lineberry , R . L (1993 . Government in america . New York : Prentice Hall .Roleff , Tamara L (1999 ) Crime and criminals . San Diego : Greenhaven PAGE

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