The Belle Haven Citizen's Association supports Senator Surovell's SB 81. With the National Park Service staffing shortages and funding challenges prevent consistent speed enforcement. State and local police will act as a force multiplier to the National Park Service to enforcement of speed critical to the safety of Belle Haven residents. Our residents rely on safe crossing at the intersection of Belle Haven Rd. and the GW Memorial Parkway. We believe speed cameras will also add to additional speed enforcement for safer crossing for both cars and walkers on the GW Memorial Parkway.

Seven accidents in one week, two on the same day and one of those was deadly. That’s the Belle Haven and G.W. Parkway intersection. People say that the turn from the northbound lane onto Belle Haven is confusing and causes accidents. But the true issue is the spped of southbound traffic. The Belle Haven intersection is about a mile after the last light in Alexandria, and by the time people get to it, they’re often going 50 or more. We’re not talking about kids racing or showing off for their friends. These are people going to pick up their kids from school or getting home from work, or wrapping up date night. But there is no accountability on that stretch of the Parkway, and people just let loose. The consequences are often heart breaking and sometimes deadly. You see, there’s a curve right before the intersection that slightly obscures southbound traffic from the northbound turn lane. It’s easy enough to accommodate when people go the speed limit – not 15 miles or more over the limit. At that speed, people turning simply do not have enough time to react when another vehicle pops into view. I live 3 houses up from this intersection, and I and my neighbors, are often first responders. I once held a 4-year-old boy as he cried for his mother, who was half-thrown from her car. I’ve scoured the roadside looking for the injured who were not in their cars. I’ve reassured drivers that this was not their fault. It’s the U.S. Park Services’ fault for not slowing traffic down through a roundabout or through enforcement. I hope that you all support Senator Surovell’s bill to allow state or local law-enforcement agencies to operate speed cameras on the GW Parkway and you will do what the Park Service has not been able to do – make this stretch of the Parkway safer for everyone.

Good afternoon, and thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Susan Hoffman, and I live in Old Town Alexandria and drive the 8.6 miles to George Washington's Mount Vernon each day for work. It should be one of the most beautiful commutes in America. Instead, it is what I call white-knuckle driving. I am speaking today to support of the Senator Surovell’s SB81 allowing the state and local law enforcement on the GW Parkway. The George Washington Memorial Parkway was designed as a scenic federal parkway. I remember driving along the parkway as a kid in the 1960’s, my father pulling off the road for us to look at the river and sometimes enjoy a treat mom would bring. It is now used as a high-speed bypass to avoid Route 1. I understand the frustration with Route 1. But this parkway was never intended to function as an interstate alternative. Drivers regularly travel 70 miles per hour or more. They tailgate, they race to merge when lanes narrow, and they treat the circle in front of Mount Vernon like a slingshot. That circle is posted at 25 miles per hour, yet drivers accelerate through it. As an employee exiting just as the road straightens, I am forced to merge into traffic moving at highway speeds. Every day I hope I make it to work and home again without vehicle or bodily damage. There are multiple entry points along the parkway where drivers pull out directly into oncoming traffic. Accidents at Belle Haven Road and Belle View Road are notorious for bicyclist and vehicle crashes. In five years of commuting, I can count on my fingers and toes the number of times I have seen a consistent Park Police patrol presence beyond the first entry point of S Washington Street. Enforcement matters. Visibility matters. Consequences matter. The proposed addition of more traffic circles is not the solution. It is costly, disruptive, and detracts from the historic character of this federal scenic parkway. We do not need to redesign the road to make people obey the law. We need: • Consistent Park Police patrols along the full 8.6 miles • Speed cameras in documented high-risk zones • Clear enforcement of and clearer posted speed limits • Signs at the entrances to the parkway stating it is a Federal Scenic Parkway and to follow posted speed limits. • Accountability that matches the daily danger commuters face This parkway honors George Washington. It should reflect stewardship and safety, not chaos. It should be safe for daily commuters, tourists unfamiliar with the road, and to be selfish, safe for employees exiting Mount Vernon parking which is also controlled by the Parks department. I am asking for practical enforcement solutions before more accidents force a different kind of memorial along that road. I am asking for you to do the right thing and pass this bill to save lives, it could be mine or maybe even yours. Thank you.

https://wjla.com/news/local/fairfax-county-dhs-bus-stop-killing-illegally-sierra-leon-steve-descano-jalloh-crime-richmond-highway-fredericksburg-arrest-homeland-security Fact: Gov. Spanberger and the General Assembly care about dangerous criminals interests instead of protecting the lives of law abiding Virginian citizens. Another terrifying example on public transportation in Fairfax How many unwarranted killings, rapes, burglaries, assaults, shootings, robberies, gang activity, carjackings, overdoses, and drug and human traffickings have to happen because of Democrats and socialists dangerous policies? I know how people feel losing their friends and family especially if it’s an illegal immigrant because the laws are broken and not enforced anymore. These are hopeless and perilous times for all humanity. God help us all!