Opinion

Josh Katcher: Why you should vote for me

By Opinion Contributor
Josh Katcher, candidate for Commonwealth’s Attorney, at the Arlington Democrats meeting in January (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Last week, we invited the candidates running in competitive races in the June 20 Democratic primary to write a post about why Arlington residents should vote for them. Find information on how and where to vote here.

Below is the unedited response from Josh Katcher, challenger for the office of Commonwealth’s Attorney for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church.

I am a lifelong Democrat who believes in public safety. I am also a reform prosecutor who believes that we can create a fair and equitable local criminal justice system that  respects victims. However, that possibility is rapidly slipping away because the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney is in free fall. In the past 18 months, 14 attorneys have quit, and there are 9 fully-funded attorney positions that remain unfilled.

My campaign commitment is “Real Reform, Real Justice.” Real Reform views cases through a contextualized and humanized lens, rather than looking at incarceration as the only tool to wield.  It connects individuals who desperately need services and programs to treat underlying issues with an eye towards diversion. Think of matters involving kids doing kid things, the mentally ill, the homeless, the addicted.  It means not prosecuting simple marijuana cases and opposing the death penalty.   However, Real Reform does not shy away from aggressive and unapologetic prosecutions for offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, major drug dealing, and serious gun charges.

Real Justice means embracing, not just giving lip service to, the belief that justice for victims is bedrock in our judicial system. It means unequivocally upholding the constitutional rights of the accused. It means always remaining focused on just and equitable outcomes for the convicted.\

But the promise of 21st century reform prosecution requires more than just good intentions and slick talking points; it requires the relevant experience to lead and train a team of prosecutors in this complicated task. I have that experience.

I have been a local prosecutor for the past 11 years. I have practiced in every court, been in front of every judge, and collaborated with all our local law enforcement agencies. I have tried hundreds of bench trials and over 50 jury trials. My opponent has not personally prosecuted a *single* case since taking office.

Last August, I made the difficult decision to quit a job I loved, because I had lost faith in the leadership and management of the office. Prior to doing so, I was the Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney supervising the largest team in the office. Specifically, my opponent entrusted me to train up our next generation of reform prosecutors.

Over the past 11 years, I have served as president of the Arlington County Bar Association and as a member of the Virginia State Bar Council. I have often been invited to train prosecutors, defense attorneys, and police officers on the law across the state. I have been fighting for Democratic values my entire life. I have served as a local precinct captain twice, the head of voter registration, a member of our local Democratic Steering Committee, and a host of other roles.

As your Commonwealth’s Attorney, I will not retreat to the corner office when I’m elected. I will be in court on our most serious cases. I will handle cases from our juvenile justice docket. And I can and will pull my prosecutors off the line and handle their dockets myself when they need relief.

News

UPDATED: Police respond to reported fight and shot fired in Green Valley

By ARLnow.com
1/5

Update at 6:20 p.m. — Arlington County police just announced that a 21-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged in the incident. A shot was fired, police confirmed, in close proximity to a preschool and Drew Elementary School.

From an ACPD press release:

The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is announcing the arrest of a suspect following an investigation into a fight with a shot fired. Chase Smith, 21, of Arlington, VA is charged with Attempted Aggravated Malicious Wounding and Discharge of a Firearm within 1,000 feet of a School. He is being held on a $3,500 secured bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

At approximately 10:29 a.m. on June 7, 2023, police were dispatched to the 2200 block of S. Kenmore Street for the report of a fight involving a firearm. Prior to police arrival, the suspect ran from the scene. Responding officers located him in the 3400 block of 22nd Street S. and took him into custody without incident.

The preliminary investigation indicates the victim and suspect were involved in a verbal dispute when the suspect allegedly displayed a firearm. A physical altercation ensued over the firearm, during which a shot was fired. No property damage or injuries were reported as a result of the firearm discharge. A firearm was recovered on scene.

The victim and suspect were transported to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries sustained during the physical altercation.

This remains an active criminal investigation and anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4180 or [email protected] or anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). For additional community resources and contact information, visit our website.

Earlier: Police have swarmed the Green Valley neighborhood after a report of at least one gunshot being fired.

The incident unfolded around 10:30 a.m. on the 2200 block of S. Kenmore Street.

Initial reports suggest that two men were fighting at a bus stop and at least one had a gun, which was fired. Both men have injuries but so far there’s no indication that anyone was shot.

After a brief search of the neighborhood, police now have two people detained, according to scanner traffic.

The same intersection of S. Kenmore Street and 22nd Street S. was the scene of shots exchanged between two vehicles in January. In October, a report of an armed man firing gunshots in the neighborhood led to a non-fatal shooting of the suspect by police.

Sponsored

Listing of the Day: 1404 N Herndon Street

By ARLnow.com

Address: 1404 N Herndon Street
Neighborhood: Lyon Village
Type: 4 BR, 4 (+1 half) BA single-family detached – 3991 sq. ft.
Listed: $2,575,000

Noteworthy: Stunning Lyon Village Modern Masterpiece.

Stunning modern masterpiece designed and renovated in 2016 by acclaimed Moser Architects, seamlessly blending cutting-edge design with refined comfort. Nestled in sought-after Lyon Village, this home offers a light-filled, open layout that exudes sophistication and warmth. Every detail reflects the vision of the current owner, a talented interior designer who curated the interiors with an elevated sense of style. Upon entry, soaring ceilings, white oak flooring, and Italian lighting by Artemide set the tone for contemporary elegance. The striking dining room features Schumacher wallpaper, custom cabinetry, and Scandinavian lighting by Louis Poulsen, while a stylish home office with built-ins complements the design. Along the hall, a custom mural by NYC’s Calico Wallpaper leads to the mudroom and powder room, accented by Kelly Wearstler Visual Comfort lighting and Scalamandre wallcoverings. The open-concept living area, wrapped in walls of windows, centers around state-of-the-art kitchen by Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens with Canadian Elmwood cabinetry, Dekton countertops, walk-in pantry, butler’s pantry with beverage center, and custom banquette upholstered in Christopher Farr Cloth. Upstairs, the primary suite includes two custom-designed walk-in closets and a luxurious spa-inspired bath with an oversized shower and bench seating. Three additional bedrooms, two full baths—one showcasing a Scandinavian light fixture by &Tradition—and a convenient laundry room complete the upper level. The lower level includes a recreation room with 9-foot ceilings, guest suite, full bath, second laundry, and garage access. Outside, professional landscaping and a private flagstone patio provide a serene retreat just two blocks from Clarendon Metro, shops, and dining.

https://listings.blueskyemedia.com/videos/0199cef4-7c51-7244-a953-e84ce3580c1c

Listed by:
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[email protected]
(703) 405-1016

Weather

UPDATED: Local air quality reaches Code Red level as wildfire smoke thickens

By ARLnow.com
1/2

(Updated at noon) Air quality measurements have exceeded Code Red levels in the D.C. area, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

It’s no surprise to anyone who can see and smell the smoke outside. The thick haze has been wafting into the region from the north, amid severe wildfires in Canada.

The Council of Government says it expects tomorrow to be a Code Red day as well.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has issued a Code Red Air Quality Health Advisory for the metropolitan Washington region. Current air quality conditions have reached Code Red, unhealthy levels for everyone. In addition, tomorrow, June 8, is currently forecast to be a Code Red day.

The region has experienced 6 Code Orange days (unhealthy for sensitive groups) so far this year, and no Code Red days until today.

Smoke coming from fires in Quebec, Canada is contributing to the increased levels of fine particle pollution.

COG advises the following health precautions:

  • Everyone may experience health effects and should limit outdoor activity.
  • Members of sensitive groups like individuals with respiratory and heart ailments, emphysema, asthma, or chronic bronchitis may experience more serious health effects.

Residents can check current air quality conditions and the forecast on COG’s website or by downloading a free air quality app from COG’s Clean Air Partners program.

Air quality levels (via Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments)

Among other impacts, at least one Arlington elementary school postponed a planned outdoor field day due to the unhealthy air. And, just before noon, Arlington Dept. of Parks and Recreation cancelled all outdoor programs.

It’s not only people who are being urged to stay inside. The Animal Welfare League of Arlington is reminding residents to keep their pets inside as well.

As of 11 a.m., as pointed out by a reader on social media, the air quality level in Arlington has reached 204 AQI, or the purple “Very Unhealthy” category above Code Red.

“Everyone may experience more serious health effects and should avoid outdoor activities,” the MWCOG air quality table says about the level.

The Arlington County Fire Department, meanwhile, has responded to several calls this morning for people — including an Arlington Public Schools student — experiencing trouble breathing, according to scanner traffic.

Air quality reading for Arlington as of 11 a.m. Wednesday (via airnow.gov)
News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Work on Metro tracks along the Orange and Silver lines near East Falls Church (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

County Board May Up Contract Threshold — “A measure up for a vote at the June 10 County Board hearing would quadruple – from $250,000 to $1 million – the threshold of any new contracts being inked by the local government to go before the board (and therefore public). The proposal likely will add more fuel to the fire among critics of the government like the Arlington County Civic Federation, which has contended that the government is failing the public on the transparency front.” [Gazette Leader]

Auction for Columbia Pike Office Building — “The second property, an eight-story, 63,000-square-foot office built in 1970 at 2300 S. 9th St. in Arlington, was acquired in 2020 for $6.5 million. BoundTrain planned a major renovation to capture tenants ‘fleeing to quality.’ But BoundTrain recently having defaulted on its debt, the noteholder has foreclosed on the property, directing the acting trustee Joseph Corish, an attorney with Bean Kinney & Korman PC, to sell BoundTrain’s asset at auction Wednesday morning.” [Washington Business Journal]

‘Inner Ear’ Book Released — “Now, that history is at the center of a new coffee table book, full of photographs from recording sessions, and firsthand accounts of Inner Ear — and Zientara himself — from dozens of musicians who made music there. The book, The Inner Ear of Don Zientara, was released today and also features a lengthy interview with Zientara by John Davis, drummer of former D.C. post-punk band Q and Not U.” [DCist, Amazon]

GW Parkway Lane Closure Update — “On Saturday, June 10, the National Park Service (NPS) will extend the three-lane traffic configuration on the George Washington Memorial Parkway from the Route 123 interchange to Windy Run Bridge as part of the ongoing North Parkway Rehabilitation Project. The NPS will temporarily close the right northbound lane from Route 123 to the Windy Run Bridge during this transition.” [Press Release]

Weenie Beenie Reviewed — Internet personality Frank the Tank reviewed the legendary Weenie Beenie near Shirlington, in a video posted Tuesday. [Barstool Sports]

It’s Wednesday — Widespread haze. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph. At night: Widespread haze before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northwest wind around 7 mph. [Weather.gov]

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