Public Safety

Seventy-five percent of survey responses indicated residents do not feel crime is a large problem in the Williamsburg community. Vandalism, stolen vehicles, thefts from carports, and broken car windows were the main incidents reported. There were reports of suspected illegal drug sales on the grounds of Nottingham Elementary School and around Minor Hill.

Residents are concerned about loiterers around the convenience store and the drug store in the shopping center and the attendant problems of noise and rowdiness, public drinking, possible drug sales and use, and litter. In addition, there is concern about vandalism and the negative effect that will have on the appearance of the commercial strips and on the ability of the owners to attract high-quality tenants. Several incidents of vandalism have plagued the Williamsburg Neighborhood Shopping Center, including a fire which destroyed the interior of the CVS drug store several years ago.

The civic association would like to sponsor more programs on crime and to involve our neighborhood police more in community activities, including the formation of additional Neighborhood Watch Programs.

Recommendations

52. Work with the Police Department to increase the number of active Neighborhood Watch Programs.

53. Increase police surveillance and improve lighting at the shopping center and at Minor Hill to eliminate vandalism, loitering, public drinking, and drug sales and use.

54. Encourage residents to report vandalism and loitering to the Police Department.

Community Services

There are one elementary school (Nottingham) and one church (Little Falls Presbyterian) within the boundaries of the Williamsburg community. In addition, Tuckahoe Elementary School, Williamsburg Middle School, Yorktown High School, and Bishop O'Connell High School are within easy walking distance and serve some of the community's residents as well. Almost all survey respondents had a very favorable view of Nottingham, Tuckahoe and Williamsburg Schools. Yorktown was not included in the survey. Bishop O'Connell had a favorable rating among 95 percent (95%) of residents; however, five percent (5%) of residents viewed O'Connell very unfavorably because of parking and speeding problems generated by O'Connell students.

Residents responding to the survey were most satisfied with the following Arlington County services: refuse/garbage collection (87%), leaf collection (73%), library facilities (73%), schools (69%), street maintenance (66%), and police protection (63%). The following services were rated the least satisfactory: cable TV (33%), street cleaning (37%) pet control (39%), and snow removal (40%). Comments from residents indicate the rating for police protection reflects a certain degree of dissatisfaction with police enforcement of traffic laws, particularly speed limits.