(Updated at 5 p.m.) Arlington County Police are now on scene of a big traffic jam on Columbia Pike reportedly caused by a food giveaway.
Initial reports suggest that the Mega Market Express, at 5001 Columbia Pike in the Pike Plaza shopping center, is giving away hundreds of meals as part of a promotion announced on Facebook. Police were not informed of the giveaway in advance, according to scanner traffic.
A large crowd has gathered around the store and Columbia Pike is jammed with traffic in both directions. Streets approaching the Pike like S. Dinwiddie Street are also at a standstill.
“This is absolutely insane,” said ARLnow staff photographer Jay Westcott, after arriving on scene. “No one is practicing social distancing.”
Officers are working to spread out the crowd and get traffic moving again. As of 5 p.m., the store had closed and was beginning to hand out certificates to let people pick up their giveaway items at a later time, according to scanner traffic.
Arlington’s emergency alert system is encouraging people to avoid the area.
INCIDENT: Traffic Delays
LOCATION: Columbia Pk at S Dinwiddie St
IMPACT: Individuals are encouraged to avoid the area. Construction and an event have caused significant delays. Please avoid the area on foot or in a vehicle and maintain physical distancing pic.twitter.com/mLg7zZaouD— Arlington Alert (@ArlingtonAlert) April 17, 2020
@ARLnowDOTcom I believe this is a food bank happening now near Arlington Mill. I suspect unanticipated demand. Did not see any police officers. pic.twitter.com/HxHNag4nVK
— Janet Smith (@Planet_of_Janet) April 17, 2020
@ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/HCShsWBbvN
— Janet Smith (@Planet_of_Janet) April 17, 2020
@ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/V2mwGY9mOI
— Janet Smith (@Planet_of_Janet) April 17, 2020