License Plate Readers, More Crime Prevention Technology In Federal Funding Request

MOUNT VERNON, VA — Alexandria law enforcement could get a boost for addressing crime and violence if a community funding request is approved in the federal budget.

Rep. Don Beyer (D-Alexandria), who represents Alexandria in the 8th congressional district, made 15 community project funding requests for the latest budget. Members of Congress may include up to 15 community project funding requests in each annual budget. Requests may only come from governments, public institutions and nonprofits.

Funding of community projects is not guaranteed, and timing depends on when Congress passes the federal budget.

"The Community Project Funding requests I submitted on behalf of Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax would provide funding focused on expanding affordable housing, a major need in Northern Virginia," said Beyer in a statement. "They would also support infrastructure improvements, crime prevention efforts, the expansion of early childcare, and more."

Beyer made four requests on behalf of the City of Alexandria: a pilot program for crime and violence prevention, restoring affordable housing at 1022 Pendleton Street Boarding House, two on-route fast chargers for electric buses, and the Virginia Tech Smart Mobility Lab.

The $670,000 for the crime and violence prevention would support improved technology for Alexandria law enforcement to help reduce violent crime and gun violence incidents. The technology could include in-car cameras, license plate readers and surveillance trailers, according to Beyer's funding request.

SEE ALSO: Overall Violent Crimes Down, Gun Crimes Up In Alexandria: Police

The $1.5 million for affordable housing at 1022 Pendleton Street seeks to preserve the eight deeply affordable housing units for rent at a boarding house. Funding will support renovations at the boarding house, which has housing units as well as a shared living space and room for retail and commercial space once renovated.

The $2 million for fast electric chargers will help Alexandria's DASH Bus system as it seeks to transition to a zero-emissions bus fleet. The chargers would be located in "strategic locations" around Alexandria to help meet the demands for DASH service with electric buses.

The last request is $1 million for creating the Virginia Tech Smart Mobility Lab, which seeks investments in research and technology development where gaps exist. This could include some start mobility technologies such as smart intersection solutions that improve safety for vulnerable road users and adaptive lighting on roadways that adjust as weather changes. Funding for the lab would come from publicly and private funded research through the industry and government.