Arlington’s crime rate dipped by about 6 percent last year, according to new crime data from the Arlington County Police Department.
It’s the second consecutive year of a crime decline. In 2014, the crime rate dropped by 8.22 percent. In 2013, crime increased just over 3 percent.
The crime rate takes into account only “Part I” offenses — homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft.
Of those categories, three saw increases in 2015. Robberies were up from 110 to 115, a 4.5 percent increase, aggravated assaults rose from 141 to 144, a 2.1 percent increase, and homicides doubled — from 1 to 2.
Excluding the police shooting of a combative, metal pole-wielding domestic violence suspect — deemed a justifiable homicide but included in the statistics — the homicide rate would have remained steady. The one criminal homicide of the year was the murder of Bonnie Delgado Black; the trial of Black’s estranged husband, David Black, on first degree murder charges is scheduled to begin June 13.
More details on the crime rate, from ACPD, are below.
Arlington’s overall crime rate decreased by 6.01% in 2015. This is the second year in a row the overall crime rate in Arlington County decreased. The crime data is collected using the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).
The grand total of Part I offenses (homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft) was 3,631 in 2015, down from 3,863 in 2014. Additionally, the Police Department received a total of 87,475 calls for service during the calendar year. “Safe communities are built on strong partnerships between police and the communities they serve,” commented Chief of Police M. Jay Farr. “We are committed to engaging with our citizens and making our community safer together.”
Following current national trends, property crimes declined in Arlington County in 2015. The largest decrease were the number of burglaries, down 13.59%. In addition, larcenies decreased by 7.08%. Motor vehicle theft resulted in the largest increase at 11.03%. The Arlington County Police Department is reminding citizens to always keep doors locked and windows up whenever leaving their vehicle unattended. Valuables should be removed from sight and never store a spare key inside your vehicle.
There were two categories that experiences marginal increases in 2015. Robberies increased from 110 in 2014 to 115 in 2015, a 4.55% increase. Aggravated assaults increased from 141 in 2014 to 144 in 2015, a 2.13% increase. There were two homicides last year in Arlington County, both stemming from domestic-related incidents. There was no change in the number of rapes reported. The police department will continue to be a visible presence throughout Arlington County as officers actively patrol areas and investigate reports.
The Arlington County Police Department remains focused on the reduction of the incidents of crime, and the improvement of quality of life in Arlington County. We will continue to work diligently to reduce crime and keep Arlington’s neighborhoods safe by concentrating on our commitment to community engagement, transportation safety and crime control.