On 5/19/2012, during an extra-curricular event at Carl Sandberg in Fairfax County, VA, I witnessed this gentleman in the parking lot of the school.
At first, I didn’t pay attention – he was engaging other people. But, when I came back outside, he was slowly “cruising” the parking, playing Reggae at very high volume. At one point, he stopped, got out, and danced for me while I filmed.
Back in his car, he resumed cruising, taking breaks to do what I’ll describe as “low-speed donuts” in the more crowded sections of the lot. At one point, he stopped again, and informed me that I “would not infringe his right to worship Jesus”, though I don’t believe I’d tried before then.
I called 911, and kept an eye until Police responded. Police interviewed him, determined that he did not pose a threat, but directed him to park his vehicle, and keep the music volume down.
Later, during the finale of the event, this man danced on stage to join a performing Drum Corps, danced with the professional performers, then danced off the stage. The county officials that he passed had all assumed that he was part of the even – I was one of three adults that took notice, alerted staff, and “kept an eye” until he was safely away from the children. I was not able to film this event – my batteries were spent in the parking lot, but it occurred in front of hundreds of witnesses.
Still later, he identified me in the auditorium as the person who had “called the Police.” That is why, upon leaving, and seeing him rolling toward me slowly in the parking lot, my concern was for my own child.
It only later occurred to me: The man had told both the Police and the Fairfax County staff that he had a child in the performance. If this is the case, I would reason that he was the only guardian adult for that child. I called the non-emergency number on Saturday night, but because he had been “cleared” by Police, and the incident had not been reported by County officials, there was nothing he could do. Unable to even call, to see if they were okay, I asked if he could forward it to Social Services, or some similar Department. “No,” he said. “Could I?”, I asked. “Yes, but they won’t be able to do anything, either.”
“Thanks for calling and have a pleasant evening…”
I DO NOT KNOW if this person was having a drug interaction, a medical emergency, or some other issue, but I won’t be able to rest until I know that he and the child are okay, or being looked after.
I do not want to cause anyone embarrassment. I spent quite a while deciding what to do, and I hope the individuals involved will understand and appreciate my concern for their child.
I realize that my concern seems to be an “outlier” here, but I only hope that you’ll find my judgement regarding - and handling of - this matter to be reasonable.
THANKS!
So far, I have contacted, or attempted to contact the FCPS Superintendent, the Police, and a host of others. I've gotten one reply, from the Superintendent's office that told me the matter was being "handed off", with no promise to contact me at all, or confirm that the incident was being investigated.
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