FOIA Response Concerning Virginia Delegate Mark Levine
BY Herschel Smith
4 years, 9 months ago
Recall that I had made a FOIA request to the city of Alexandria, Virginia, concerning an incident where a man with a gun stood “outside Del. Mark Levine’s window.” The city of Alexandria has responded.
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
301 KING STREET, SUITE 1300
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22314
02/26/2020
RE: W014261-021820
Dear Sir/Madam,
This is to acknowledge receipt of your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) dated 2/18/2020 referenced above. Based upon the information contained in your request, we have conducted a thorough search of the records held by the City and find that no police report for this event exists.
This letter is for your records and to inform you that the FOIA request file is now closed.
Sincerely,
David Lanier
Assistant City Attorney
So what the hell was that all about? He clearly stated that he engaged the police and that the police responded and interacted with the man. He also later stated that he wanted to press charges of some sort.
He can’t press charges without a police report. What’s going on here?
UPDATE: David Codrea notes that “speculation that it may have been Fairfax County Police, not according to the news account quoting Alexandria police Lt. Courtney Ballentine. Someone is not being truthful and/or compliant here.”
On February 26, 2020 at 11:49 pm, Dave Hardy said:
The simple answer is — he’s lying. There is no police report because there was no call to police. Police responded to a call from a state delegate, saying he felt menaced, and police didn’t bother to file a report? When they would have recorded one for a speeding stop?
On February 27, 2020 at 10:21 am, WarEagle82 said:
He might have contacted Fairfax County Police as his address may not be within the city limits of Alexandria. Check with Fairfax County Police next.
On February 27, 2020 at 11:39 am, Bill Sullivan said:
David- WarEagle82 has a good point. My address is in one town, but the map lists me in another. I am outside the incorporated area, and I think my address was assigned because the post office in town handles the mail here. But I think police services are handled by the county sheriff’s department.
On February 27, 2020 at 11:41 am, Bill Sullivan said:
Hershel- Sorry for calling you “David”- I had just clicked over from David
Codrea’s blog.
On February 27, 2020 at 8:59 pm, Henry said:
Virginia political geography is a cross between a minefield and a Rubik’s cube.
George Washington’s Masonic lodge is in Alexandria (city of), but his estate is in Alexandria (unincorporated Fairfax County).
My favorite commentary on this particular issue is the following letter to the editor of the Fairfax Journal from 1983:
Confused about GMHS? Well, you are not alone
Editor, The Journal:
While I was pleased that The Journal was able to give recognition to George Mason’s graduates by placing their names in your most recent issue, I was disappointed that you were unaware that George Mason Junior-Senior High School is the secondary school in Falls Church City, a separate school division from Fairfax County. All is forgiven, however, because the smallness of our size and geographical location sometimes results in confusion.
So that people will more easily understand who we are and how we relate to school divisions around us, we have prepared information as follows which we use as a guide which is sometimes useful to persons making inquiries about us. Please be aware that:
1. We are George Mason High School. We are on Leesburg Pike.
2. We are a Falls Church school.
3. We are not in Falls Church. We are in Fairfax County.
4. We are not a Fairfax County high school.
5. We are not Falls Church High School.
6. Falls Church High School used to be in Falls Church. It was not and is not a Falls Church high school. Falls Church High School is now in Fairfax County.
7. The former Falls Church High School is now Whittier Junior High School. It is in Falls Church, but it is not a Falls Church school. It is a Fairfax County School.
8. We are not George Marshall High School. George Marshall is also on Leesburg Pike and in Fairfax County. It is a Fairfax County school. It has a Falls Church postal address.
9. We are not George Mason University. George Mason University is in Fairfax City, but not in Fairfax County.
10. Falls Church School Board offices are at Mount Daniel Elementary School. They are not in Falls Church. They are in Fairfax County.
11. There is one other school in Falls Church. It is Thomas Jefferson Elementary. Thomas Jefferson is a Falls Church church school and is in Falls Church.
Any further questions should be addressed to Falls Church School Board (in Fairfax County).
P.S. Some of our students go to school in Arlington!
George H. Thomas, Principal
George Mason Junior-Senior High
On February 28, 2020 at 11:39 am, scott s. said:
Alexandria was part of Fairfax Cty, same as Falls Church and Fairfax CH, generally within Truro Parish. When the District of Columbia was created, the southern-most point was positioned at the southern end of Alexandria, which became Alexandria County in the District. After the VA portion of the District was returned to VA, it became Alexandria Cty, VA. Under VA laws “first-class” cities such as Alexandria could annex county land pretty much at-will, and Alexandria County reacted by getting the legislature to re-incorporate it as Arlington, named for Washington’s family Arlington plantation. Due to the original layout of DC, the west and southern border of Alexandria City remained Fairfax Cty.
On February 28, 2020 at 11:43 am, Herschel Smith said:
@scott s.,
What’s your point, other than a history lesson?