BELVOIR
www.belvoireagleonline.com
February 4, 2021
COVID clinic moves to community center By Paul Lara Belvoir Eagle
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ort Belvoir Community Hospital moved its COVID vaccination clinic across the street to the Community Center last week, to provide a better, more centralized location, according to Navy Lt. Antoinette Mantz, the Officer in Charge of the program. “We are currently completing second doses for our healthcare personnel, which is still DoD phase 1A personnel. That also includes our Garrison first responders, including fire fighters, police officers and others,” Mantz said. “We are completing second doses for those in the 1A category,
and we have entered just into a bit of 1B, as we are just starting vaccinations for those in Critical National Capabilities.” “That initial drive-up portion is just for a COVID-19 screening, as well as providing paperwork and checking eligibility. You’ll receive your shot inside but we are looking at reducing the amount of time spent indoors, by having folks fill out their paperwork in their own vehicle, which lets us limit the time indoors and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.” The patient flow on the second day of operation in the new location seemed unrushed and smooth, with patients waiting at the stairs, and then directed to a desk, where a medic or
is injected, and they grab a chair in the waiting station, to see if any adverse reactions develop. After 15 minutes with no reaction, the
Whether or not you are vaccinated, please mind your Four W’s: • Wear a mask Photo by Paul Lara
A member of the Fort Belvoir Hospital COVID Vaccine Clinic directs a recipient to the tent in front of the Community Center for screening and verification of eligibility, Jan. 26.
corpsman is handed the recipient’s paperwork, and a pre-filled syringe. Once the patient’s identity is confirmed, the vaccine
• Wash your hands • Watch your physical distance - keep 6’ apart from those outside your household • Wait to attend large gatherings of more than 10 people See COVID, page 4
Belvoir creates Community Oriented Policing with village mayors, residents By Paul Lara Belvoir Eagle
don’t mind the phone call, we investigate and come out and see what is making the general community unsettled. Even a school bag full of books shouldn’t be there. If it was an innocent case of forgetfulness, we can help return the belongings to the owner. “ Horne said It’s important, in the moment, to note as many details as you can, as specific details can fade from memory the longer it is from the incident.
T
he Fort Belvoir Police Department is working on ways to make life on the installation safer through a Community Oriented Policing initiative, according to Police Chief Anthony Jackson. “With Community Oriented Policing, we want to bridge the gap between police and residents,” Jackson said. “We want to give the community members more responsibility to make their own communities better. This can reduce crime and traffic offenses through a second set of eyes while we’re not there.” Jackson said this initial phase is to create the administrative framework. Each Village will have a police department watch commander, lieutenant or sergeant to provide training on how to report suspicious activity, and what to look for, giving them keys for accurate reporting. “No one is immune to crime,” Jackson said. “We plan to work hand-in-hand with the village mayors, and tie them in to our communications, so they will have direct contact with police if something needs to happen, or they need to mitigate any situation.”
Building relationships “We’re very excited about Chief Jackson’s initiative to implement Community Oriented Policing here on Fort Belvoir,” said John 3
INSCOM CSM
Photo by Paul Lara
Belvoir Police Sgt. Chris Metcalf monitors driver’s speeds in this 2019 file photo, but police can’t be everywhere, so Chief Anthony Jackson is creating community oriented policing to be the eyes of the department in the community.
Moeller, PhD, deputy to the Garrison commander. “Community oriented policing focuses on building a working, trusting relationship between police and the community they protect.” For Service members, ‘see something, say something’ is a duty, and something Soldiers are familiar with. But Capt. Ronald Horne, Fort Belvoir Police supervisory detective, said that can sometimes be lost on family members. While Soldiers are accountable to report something, he said family members may be unsure about what is, or is not, reportable. “In reality, it’s a gut feeling. When that happens, it’s not their job to investigate, but to notify the authorities,” Horne said. “We
Communication is key “If you have a complaint – whether its speeders or suspicious activity – it’s very important that we have open lines of communication between the residents,” said Jackson. “We want them to report it, but not to engage in any way. That’s our job.” “Any time you have communications with your neighbor, it’s a good thing,” Horne said. “The more communication, the stronger your community becomes. It breeds solidarity when you look out for their car, or their dog in the back yard. It doesn’t have to be hanging out for dinner every night.” The COP initiative will continue implementation and training through the spring, with Jackson estimating a full community roll-out this summer. Chief Jackson stressed if you feel there’s imminent danger to people or property, always call 911. Otherwise, contact the police business line at 703-806-3014.
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