http://dockets.alexandriava.gov/cmo/pressrel6.nsf/3cd28784527d97b8852567ae0067ded8/ef626d611c8e18a28525705f001b348e?OpenDocument
ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Public Information Office
2003 Mill Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
703.838.4636
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 16, 2005
1:00 A.M.
Alexandria Police Investigate an Alleged Barricade Situation
Yesterday afternoon, at approximately 12:38 p.m., a woman called the Alexandria Police Emergency Communications Center to report that a woman she knew, living in the 500 block of South Columbus Street, was distraught, armed with a handgun and possibly suicidal. Police were dispatched to the residence and a perimeter was immediately set up. Members of the Special Operations and Hostage Negotiations Teams were also dispatched to the scene and tactical plans were developed.
Evacuations in the area began for safety reasons and temporary emergency shelters were established by the City’s Emergency Management Team.
Attempts to negotiate with the woman continued throughout the afternoon and into the late evening hours to no avail. This morning, at 12:30 a.m., nearly 12 hours after the operation began, members of the Special Operations Team deployed tear gas and entered the home. The residence was thoroughly searched however, the home was vacant. The police operation was immediately dismantled and units returned to service. Police will conduct a follow up investigation.
For further information, please contact the Public Information Office at 703.838.4636.
(end)
This was going on near my house when I got home from work Monday night. The Alexandria Police had cordoned off a two block radius around the scene which included my house. I had to "ask permission" and display my driver's license before they would let me enter my own house.
The best part was around 7 pm one of the boys in blue had the brainchild to evacuate everyone in the surrounding houses. We were told they were setting up emergency shelters for us to stay overnight or until the incident was over. Knowing better, I grabbed my wife and drove to the Border books in Seven Corners where we stayed until closing around 10. We got back to our house at 10:30, were able to walk past a female officer without being stopped or questioned, and walked right into our house. By use of an air purifier turned on high, we were able to sleep through the idiot negotiator hollering on a bullhorn.
I was amazed there was no coverage on tv news or local newspapers the next day. What a cluster fuck for the Alexandria PD!!!!! I guess they did not want to broadcast their keystone cop escapades for all to see!
I just wish I had snapped some digital shots of at least the Elite members of the Special Operations Team who were deployed on the scene. They looked snazzy in their riot gear!
I had flash backs from the end of the Blues Brothers... Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut!