Meanwhile, in the Anti-Reston: Herndon Gets 'Friendliness' Recognition, Actually May Become More Friendly for Some

It's been a while since we've checked in with our neighbors to the west. What's been doing? Besides hanging out at Big Lots, Herndonians have apparently become very friendly parents.

The town of Herndon has received national recognition in two prestigious periodicals for respectively being friendly, and for being a great place to raise children.

Herndon captured the attention of editors at Forbes.com, which ranked Herndon 12th in its listing of “America’s Friendliest Towns.”

Right on the heels of that announcement last week came Herndon’s ranking on Bloomberg/Business Week’s 2013 ranking of the Best Places to Raise Kids.

Editors at Bloomberg/Business Week chose one community in each of the 50 states to compile the list. Herndon was recognized for its kid-friendly events and activities including “Little Nature Inspectors” classes and many performances on the Town Green that are geared toward families and children.

Of course, this comes after Herndon was named the #1 most obscene city in the nation a few years back, so we're not sure what's led to this sudden G-rated transformation. Swear jars at every corner?

At the same time, the town has found out that its participation in the 287(g) program -- which allows local police to enforce immigration laws -- has been discontinued.

The program allowed local law enforcement to question those suspected of crimes about their legal status and detain or arrest those here illegally, potentially leading to their deportation.

The Town of Herndon is one of 57 municipalities in 21 states who entered into agreements with ICE under the law. ICE worked with local law enforcement to train officers in the programs.

ICE told Herndon it would not renew the town’s Memorandum of Agreement authorizing the town’s participation after Dec. 31, according to a statement on the Town of Herndon’s website.

According to an ICE press release from Dec. 21, this restricts the use of detainers against individuals arrested for minor misdemeanor offenses such as traffic offenses and other petty crimes.

Herndon police issued at least 39 detainers through the program last year, according to our BFFs at Patch, so we're guessing those 39 people didn't think of the town as particularly friendly, the end.