Violations At Scott's Run Nature Preserve Lead To Arrests

MCLEAN, VA—Fairfax County Police responded to several complaints at Scott's Run Nature Preserve, resulting in arrests and citations on Saturday, June 8.

Police responded after receiving multiple calls in a matter of hours. In all, officers arrested six people and served summons to another nine. The six were charged with drunk in public and nine were cited for swimming in a posted no-swim area. One person was cited for having an open container of alcohol.

Visitors to the nature preserve are asked to avoid prohibited activities such as swimming, littering, illegal and underage drinking and trespassing after dark. Police are stepping up enforcement over the summer.

"Unfortunately, this type of activity increases during the summer months and is most problematic on the weekends," said police department spokesman Sgt. Greg Bedor in an email to Patch. "Police patrols have been increased to assist the park authority with preserving the quality of the park for all to use."

The park's website warns visitors to avoid swimming due to strong currents when water levels rise. The deep waters and submerged rocks can create downward currents that can pull a person underwater—and keep them there.

Scott's Run Nature Preserve is a Fairfax County park with trails between the Potomac River and Georgetown Pike in McLean. It is one of few nature preserves in the county's park system.