Hi,
My mom and I live off Queenston in the Charlestown development, down the street from Cardinal Forest Elementary. Her car was recently broken into - the glove compartment, the hood, the trunk - everything in the car was opened - though nothing was stolen as far as she could tell. Has anyone else in that area had their car broken into or heard about it? I've heard there were other car break-ins in the neighborhood.

Is your Mom hot?

Check this out for area incidents.

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/crime/incident-reports/

I live in the area...

few months ago I was up for some reason at 3 AM, heard something outside. Walked right outside to the site of two punks trying to break into my car. They ran off, then I noticed that every car down the parking row had been broken into and left wide open.

Cardinal Forest area, including the Parkland side of Forrester, is a good neighborhood. Minor crimes like would still be seen in even nicer areas. Tivoli used to be kinda meh.. Would hear dog fights and various other nonsense.. but that was about 12 years ago, since then it has become quiet just like Cardinal Forest.

So the whole general area is just fine, probably better than ever. I would not assume that the neighborhood is deteriorating.. these just are probably young punks acting foolish.

If anything, if these were kids... even if they are out causing mischief on their own, if you were these kids parents you should feel assured that nothing is likely to happen to them in this neighborhood.. just up to the parents to make em stop screwin around.

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DAMN!

We have lived in Cardinal Forest area for almost all our lives.
The first year we moved here in early 80s, our car was broken into.
Then, nothing happened 'til 2001.
So, i'd say, every 10 to 11 years, your car is bound to be chosen 'randomly'.
By the way, there isn't only petty theft going on.
There are drug deals going on, prostitution rings, you name it.
The only way you will believe me is, when you are driving out after 10 or 11 pm, you will see one black guy with two very young white girls, going street to street crossing Forrester Blvd more than once. They look at each passing car and wave and shake their booties.
At the corner of Carrleigh and Forrester, you will see guys hanging out by the bus stop, and at times, cars will stop at the stop sign, and people will be 'shaking' hands.
If you pay closer attention, vehicles make 'rounds' every few minutes.
Once I followed a Lexus from Carrleigh Pkwy and Forrester intersection.
The driver drove on Carrleigh up to the service road behind Giant.
Then, took right on Old Keene Mill and right on Rolling and drove entire Forrester Blvd and did the same thing FOUR times... I was on his tail -
Nothing happened that night, so I didn't have to give license plate info to cops, but it seem very odd for someone to be doing that around 1 or 2 am.
there are no 'safe' neighborhoods anywhere. It is the neighbors, who make the neighborhood safe.
Know your neighbors. Do you know your neighbor's full name? left of you , right of you, in front of you, behind you?
if you don't, plan a 'block' barbecue and invite them all and get to know them.
you don't have to be close as a family, but knowing each other by face and name will help identify 'outsiders' quicker.