By Glenn Minnis
(The Center Square) – Nearly six out of every 10 individuals say crime is at least somewhat of a significant problem in their community, up from 53% just six months earlier.
In addition, a new State Policy Network poll of 2,011 voters, conducted in partnership with Morning Consult between April 11-14, finds that 46% of respondents agree that crime in their town or city has been on the rise over the past 12 months, up from 42% who held such feelings in November 2022.
Across the country, 74% say crime has increased over the past year, a six percentage point increase from five months earlier when 68% of respondents felt that way.
Locally in Prince William County, violent crime has increased by 70% since 2019.
“People are saying they personally see crime as a problem in their local community and numbers are even higher when you ask about the United States broadly,” SPN messaging strategist Erin Norman told The Center Square. “High profile media stories about shoplifting mobs and gun violence likely impact how Americans see crime in the nation as a whole.”
When it comes to big cities, researchers found the view is even dimmer, with 63% saying they feel most large U.S. cities are no longer safe and even more respondents (64%) agreeing they see large retailers making the decision to leave cities due to crime as being reasonable.
Norman agrees much of what you now see and hear seems to justify the apprehension about increased crime.
“The most recent data shows that it’s not just perception – robbery and aggravated assault is up across major population centers,” she added. “People need to see cities and their police force taking steps to prevent crime and prosecute offenders. Walgreens recently announced they are closing five stores in San Francisco and Whole Foods closed their flagship store there as well. Starbucks closed a number of [Los Angeles] stores, citing crime and drugs as issues keeping the stores from becoming profitable. It appears companies aren’t moving their stores but making business decisions to close stores in areas where criminal activity has impacted profitability.”
Walmart announced last week it is closing four stores in Chicago.
With some 34% of survey respondents now expressing apprehension about going on vacation in a major city, 59% of individuals agree people in cities have become their own worst enemy by electing politicians who do not enforce existing laws.
Overall, 84% of respondents agree most large cities across the country need to do more to prevent crime.
James Franklin Stevens (Age 58)
James Franklin Stevens, 58, of Louisburg, N.C., passed away on April 16, 2023. James, who was known to many as Frank, was born in Alexandria, Virginia, to the late Wayne and Carol Stevens.
Frank grew up in Woodbridge, Virginia, and graduated from Woodbridge High School where he then went to own two businesses, K&E Enterprises, and Rainmaker Lawn Sprinklers. He later moved to Louisburg, North Carolina where he worked at the Do It Center as a small engine mechanic.
Frank is survived by his wife, Andrea Stevens; his sons Rusty Stevens (Cassie) and their daughter Summer, and Ryan Stevens (Monica); his brother, Wayne Stevens (Michelle); and his sisters-in-law Jamie Garlick (Mike), Lisa Bryant (Josh); and several nieces and nephews.
In his free time, Frank enjoyed fishing on his property and working on his vehicles and equipment. He especially loved building and driving his ‘31 Plymouth Coupe. Frank enjoyed spending time with his family and loved them very much. He was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He will be dearly missed.
Submitted by First Cremation Society
Carrie Rist, one of three candidates for at-large chair of the Prince William County School Board, has been convicted twice for shoplifting and pleaded no contest to a charge of leaving an animal in a hot vehicle.
George Biller (Age 69)
Memorial service info
George “Artie” Biller, 69, passed away March 23, 2023 at Henrico Doctors Hospital. He was a jack-of-all trades and could build, fix, or install anything. He was deeply loved by his family.
George is preceded in death by his parents, George Biller and Geneva Myer, and his brother, Michael Biller.
Survivors include his brothers and sisters, Gary Biller, Ricky Biller, Pam Fenter, Debbie Wyatt, Cindy Thurston; his children, Chris (Stephanie) Biller and Heather (Erica) Biller; stepdaughters, Jennifer (James) Napier and Amanda Ayers; and grandchildren, Jack Koetter, Andrew Koetter, Bryce Moore, Brooklyn Franklin, Bentlee Napier, and Maverick Napier.
A celebration of life will be held from 7 – 9 PM on April 21, 2023 at Miller Funeral Home, 3200 Golansky Blvd., Woodbridge, VA 22192. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org/donate).
Storke Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.storkefuneralhome.com.
The following memorial event is planned.
Celebration of Life
04/21/2023 07:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Miller Funeral Home
3200 Golansky Blvd
Woodbridge, Virginia 22192
Submitted by Storke Funeral Home
Local commuters who use OmniRide buses to get to Washington, D.C., the Pentagon and Tysons Corner will see their fares rise from $6.90 to $9 each way on July 1, as part of an effort to raise more revenue for the bus system, which is pressed by lower commuter ridership and rising costs.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
(The Center Square) – Maryland is advancing discussions on potential plans to expand MARC commuter rail service into Delaware and Virginia – a move officials hope will expand access for transit riders across state lines.
The Maryland Department of Transportation has signed framework agreements with the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority and Delaware Transit Corp. for potential MARC Train Service expansions, Gov. Wes Moore announced Thursday. The possible future expansions could extend MARC service to Newark, Delaware, and to Alexandria, Virginia.
The agreements reached by the state transit agencies outlines “next steps” for advancing discussions about a possible expansion and explore pilot service opportunities, according to Moore’s office.
“Maryland is committed to working with our neighbors to increase convenient and accessible transit across the entire region because we know an expanded transit network leads to expanded opportunities for everyone,” Moore said in a statement. “The partnerships outlined in these agreements will help us bring greater options to thousands of potential transit riders.”
MARC, which stands for Maryland Area Rail Commuter, provides service between Washington D.C. and Maryland along three lines – Penn, Camden and Brunswick. Lawmakers in the General Assembly last year overrode a veto by former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan and passed legislation to expedite rail projects and expand train operations, as reported by The Washington Post.
To advance MARC service to Delaware, both Maryland and Delaware’s transit authorities plan to meet with stakeholders to determine operational and infrastructure needs. Officials hope to close an existing commuter rail gap in Cecil County and advance connections between MARC and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority system, according to the governor’s office.
As for expansions in Virginia, future service depends on the completion of the Long Bridge project, which includes construction of a two-track railroad bridge spanning the Potomac River from D.C. to Virginia.
“This partnership on a framework agreement is an important first step forward for VPRA to further advance the Commonwealth’s goal of reducing congestion on our roads and highways by providing more reliable, consistent, and accessible passenger rail transportation options,” Virginia Passenger Rail Authority Executive Director DJ Stadtler said in a statement. “We look forward to continued coordination with the Maryland Transit Administration as we work to better connect people and communities across the region.”
By Madison Hirneisen
(The Center Square) – Virginia lawmakers approved amendments proposed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to a pair of bills establishing regulations on hemp-derived products in the commonwealth, which includes a provision allowing some products containing both THC and CBD that are used therapeutically to remain on store shelves.
The politically-divided General Assembly flocked to Richmond Wednesday to reconvene for a one-day session to consider the governor’s proposed amendments to 78 bills and three vetoes. Some of the governor’s amendments proposed technical changes to measures, while others proposed entire substitute bills.
While several amendments were approved with little debate, lawmakers in both the House of Delegates and the state Senate had lengthy debate over Youngkin’s proposed amendments to HB 2294 and SB 903 – a pair of bills that sought to impose limits on how much THC – a chemical found in the marijuana plant that can be intoxicating to consumers – could be included in an industrial hemp product.
Lawmakers have been wrestling with how to regulate hemp-derived products that contain THC following reports of children consuming hemp-derived products, like Delta-8 edibles, that made them ill.
The original version of the bills that passed the General Assembly limited the amount of THC included in a hemp product to a concentration of 0.3% and two milligrams per package. The bills also established labeling, testing and packaging requirements for hemp-derived products.
The governor’s proposed amendments, which were adopted by the General Assembly Wednesday, maintained labeling and testing requirements and the two milligrams of THC per package limit, but added an exemption to the rules for hemp products that are used for therapeutic purposes containing both THC and CBD. Read More
As the Environmental Protection Agency prepares to regulate a group of chemicals called PFAS in drinking water throughout the country, a preliminary test in 2021 showed that the water on the eastern side of Prince William County comes from the Occoquan Reservoir and was over the newly proposed limit.? Read More
A group of leading Prince William County Republican Party voices is denouncing Republican candidate for Board of County Supervisors chair Kenn Knarr as a “Democrat masquerading as a Republican.”
