Local police have already beefed up patrols for all area construction projects, but no plans for more than usual at mosque off of Rt. 1.
By Jessie Biele | February 6, 2012
A Northern Virginia chapter of the Ahmadiyya Community, scheduled to open in Chantilly in late February, saw its opening get pushed back after vandals threw rocks at the windows on Jan. 29, causing an estimated tens of thousands of dollars in damages.
In the wake of the recent vandalism at the Chantilly mosque, Fairfax County Police have maintained increased patrols at the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) mosque, which is currently under construction at 2913 Woodlawn Trail near the intersection with Route 1. The mosque is scheduled to open its doors in April.
Police have increased patrols for all construction projects in the Mount Vernon District, but they have no plans to beef up security even more at the mosque or any other construction project outside of those increased patrols, said Capt. Randy Joyce of the Mount Vernon District Station.
“Based on what I have heard, the incident in Sully was an act of callous vandalism, but not racially or bias-motivated,” said Joyce in an email to Patch. “Nonetheless, vandals cost the entire community a substantial amount of money with lost productivity and increased insurance premiums.“
Joyce said that any instances of vandalism, at the ICNA mosque or elsewhere, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“Our agency will take the necessary steps to deter such action where we can and fully investigate and prosecute those crimes committed against members of our community,” he said.
Article Courtesy: Patch
