Violent Crime Spree in Leesburg- July 10, 2009 LPD Response

First Call- Robbery Other Kind of Jewelry Store 1127 hrs– Lone suspect enters the Other Kind of Jewelry store Proprietor runs out of store thwarting the robbery Suspect fires one gunshot while fleeing

First patrol unit on scene within 1 minute of dispatch Observes suspect running through Dodona Manor Initiates foot pursuit Other units converge on area and establish perimeter

Suspect attempts to flee the perimeter; encounters citizens near Dodona Manor; fires additional shot; flees across Market St Near East Y and into Trailer Park LPD establishes Perimeter around Trailer Park Area Requests canine units; Fairfax Helicopter Assistance from Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police

1235 receive a call of suspect matching description vicinity of Wal-Mart; perimeter held additional units/ helicopter sent to check 1255 call from Royal St suspect holding family hostage- units on scene within 30 seconds house cleared suspect fled in family's gold jeep

Suspect Vehicle gold jeep found abandoned off Davis Ave

While en-route to location of abandon jeep receive call at 1334 from 700 blk Valley Armed suspect in the home; husband and wife locked in bathroom LPD arrives on scene 1336; suspect fires shot at officers Incident Command Established LPD, LCSO, VSP SWAT teams requested LPD Begins negotiations

Valley View Negotiations Residents in surrounding homes evacuated ; those away from home were not allowed back in –About 50 people displaced; temporary shelter established –Residents allowed back in by about 10PM Suspect Very Agitated / Unpredictable Long hours of establishing rapport Victims did a fantastic job of humanizing the event / establishing rapport with hostage taker 2100 hrs Female hostage released 2145 suspect agrees to surrender 2150 execute plan using VSP Armored Vehicle to safely take suspect in custody 2150 Male hostage removed from home for medical treatment

Agencies Supporting Leesburg Police Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Virgina State Police Fairfax County Police Leesburg Police Citizens Support Team US Customs Loudoun County Mental Health Loudoun County Fire & Rescue & OEM Red Cross Loudoun County Public Schools

Investigation William Spencer, 49 –Baltimore Md –Extensive Criminal record Second suspect arrested Monday morning –Donald L. Blount, 44, of Leesburg, VA Investigation continues

Tactical Operation- After Action Will do a complete debrief for all involved Identify and implement procedural/ training enhancements needed Arranged for Crisis Support for victims from Loudoun County Mental Health Identified equipment short falls –List supplied to Town Manager for Action Established Core Business Officer (CBO) Program to enhance sense of security in downtown/core business/retail areas

Core Business Officer Program Deployment of officers into Core business areas of community –Focus will be on visible patrol in core business areas –Deployment schedules during primary business/retail hours Mon-Fri – 10 AM -10PM Initial plan- 90 day special overtime fund/detail - $50,000 80hrs per week for 12 weeks This component focuses in the downtown and Catoctin Circle business areas Long Term Plan Emergency Hire of 2 additional officers by Nov 1 –Est. cost – 2 officers + equipment + 1 police car = $180,000

Primary Focus Area for CBO

CBO Program Sector 4 Call Distribution

Community Take Aways Leesburg is vulnerable to Violent Crime –Chief’s Briefing to Council Oct 2008 Leesburg Police and its partners are trained and capable of dealing with critical incidents to secure our community Vigilance, awareness and community involvement are our best defenses against crime