Community Action Committee Links Local Police with Community

By Sarah Golden, Staff Writer

It’s no secret that local police were in their community’s metaphorical “hot seat” in the past few years. As a result, the Reston station, with the help of community leaders, brought back the Community Advisory Committee [CAC], a forum where Restonians can hear information about their community’s crime and safety levels, and police can take that “hot seat” to address community concerns. 

A recent CAC meeting at the Reston Station kicked off with a few housekeeping items, a segment marketing an upcoming event, and a brief overview of the Fairfax County Police Civilian Review Panel from its liaison Craig Miles. The well-presented information spoke to the committee’s commitment to transparency. 

Police Major Mohammed Oluwa presented some recent crime statistics, including a mini crime spree that resulted in an arrest, and an update on the increase in motor vehicle larceny (Restonians, remember to lock your car doors!) Major Oluma opened the floor to community questions. For the next hour or so, citizens engaged in open conversations with local police leadership, sharing specific concerns about things going on in their community – like noisy mufflers and unsafe crosswalks. Major Oluwa appeared to be aware of these situations,and shared details of how he and his team are working behind the scenes to address them. 

The session also provided insight into some of the bureaucratic elements of police work – such as connecting with third parties like VDOT to coordinate speed limit adjustments. 

Asked about topics he would welcome discussing at upcoming CAC meetings, Major Oluwa said that everything is on the table, and that what concerns the people of Reston concerns him as well.

The CAC provides an opportunity for Restonians to foster greater engagement with the men and women that keep them safe. The next meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, in the Lake Anne Reston Community Center. It will feature a presentation by Fairfax County Detective Brian Kalf from the Cyber and Forensic Bureau. 

To get more information on the CAC or updates on future meetings, request to be added to the distribution list by emailing the CAC’s Vice Chairperson John Pinkman at CACvicechair2@gmail.com.