Falls Church News-Press 11-25-2021

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Nov. 25 — Dec. 1, 2021

FA LLS CHUR C H, V I R G I NI A • WW W. FC NP. C OM • FR EE

FOU N D E D 1991 • VOL. XXXI NO. 40

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Police Chief Gavin Warns Council Of Shortages

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City employees petition for compensatory salary hikes BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Falls Church Chief of Police Mary Gavin did her best to keep her cool while presenting to the Falls Church City Council Monday a stark picture of what she called “a staffing crisis” facing her department. Veteran officers are leaving the force in comparative droves and there are not the officer reserves that other larger departments can tap into. A usual turnover of two officers per year has escalated into six or seven right away, she said. That’s in a department that is less than three dozen strong. The “accelerated loss of personnel,” she said, has seen 20 percent of the City’s small department leave since July. “We are not being competitive and we don’t have opportunities for advancement,” she said, when asked point blank by Council member David Snyder,

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F.C.’S MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL MUSTANGS Emerged from the school’s new facility last week to vanquish yet another foe. The team faces long-time rival Brentsville this Friday night at the Meridian stadium. (P����: C���� S��)

F.C.’s Meridian Mustangs Host Regional Finals Friday BY JULIE FELGAR

The mighty Meridian High School Mustangs, playing their first football season with a new school name and campus, have advanced to the regional finals. One last challenge before, with

a win. They enter the state championships. This Friday will be yet another home game at Mustang stadium at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26. Friday’s opponent is Brentsville, in what will be a tough rematch challenge. In an

earlier meeting this year in late September, Brentsville prevailed by three points, 23-20. Last Friday night, the Meridian Mustangs played an aggressive game against Goochland. They walked away with a 40-21 win against

a well-coached and talented Goochland team. The Mustangs’ double wing offense was on fire and overwhelmed the Goochland defense.

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After being unable to open last year due to the pandemic, the Falls Church Homeless Shelter is preparing to open for the winter season next Wednesday to help prevent hypothermia in those who are unhoused.

Located in Eden Center, this bakery and deli offers a wide variety of different Vietnamese dishes such as steam buns, durian fruit drinks, bahn mi sandwiches and much more.

SEE STORY, PAGE 2

See Pages 12-13

SEE STORY, PAGE 14

INDEX

Editorial............................................... 6 Letters................................................. 6 Comment ..................................... 7,8,9 Crime Report ...................................... 8 News & Notes....................... 10,11,15 Calendar ........................................... 16 Business News ................................. 17 Classified Ads ................................... 20 Comics.............................................. 21 Critter Corner.................................... 22


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