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Business Outreach Unit

photo of nightlife liason talking to bar staff

The Business Outreach Unit serves as the primary liaison between the business community and the Police Department. Through effective partnerships and collaboration with other private, public, and nonprofit entities, the Business Outreach Unit works to understand and address business concerns pertaining to crime and quality of life issues, develop educational programming, and works to ensure business owners are knowledgeable about Department services and programs. The Business Outreach Unit administers the Arlington Restaurant Initiative program and associated efforts to improve nightlife safety in Arlington County for patrons, residents, visitors, and businesses.

Email the Business Outreach Unit

Business Outreach Programs

Arlington Restaurant Initiative (ARI)

In an effort to increase safety for citizens and to provide restaurant owners and staff, as well as special event staff, with resources to maximize their safety and viability, the Arlington County Police Department has partnered with County agencies to establish the Arlington Restaurant Initiative (ARI). The goal of ARI is to raise the standards of restaurants that serve alcohol, streamline processes within the County Government and maintain Arlington County as a safe destination for nightlife and entertainment.

Learn more about the ARI

Limited Power of Attorney Program

Arlington County Code Section 17-11.1 permits the owner, lessee, custodian, or person lawfully in charge of any real property to designate the Arlington County Police Department as a person lawfully in charge of certain commercial or residential properties for specific trespassing enforcement purposes. The Code permits certain persons to execute a Limited Power of Attorney designating the Arlington County Police Department and its officers as a “person lawfully in charge of the property” for the purposes of forbidding others to go on, or remain on, their property.

Read the Instructions & Complete the POA(PDF, 345KB)

Meet the Business Outreach Unit


Sergeant John Vanak Sergeant, Business Outreach Unit Email Sgt. Vanak	MPO Tatiana Hernandez Business Outreach Officer Email MPO Hernandez	Samantha Brien Restaurant Liaison and Program Manager Email Ms. Brien