Arlington County's Overall Crime Rate Increased 4.8% In 2021: Report

ARLINGTON COUNTY, VA — The overall crime rate in Arlington County for "Group A offenses" increased 4.8 percent in 2021 compared to the previous year, according to the Arlington County Police Department's new 2021 annual report.

These offenses include everything from homicide to arson. [See details below for the full list.]

The newly-published report is the official release of crime and crash statistics by the department for the preceding year and provides an overview of multi-year trends in both categories, the agency said.

Year-end crime statistics are submitted to Virginia State Police in March, based upon the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) format.

Other key findings in the report regarding crime in Arlington County for 2021 include:

• Reported crimes against persons also increased 24 percent last year, primarily driven by increases in aggravated and simple assaults.
• Reported crimes against property offenses increased 7.4 percent with marked increases in robbery, destruction/damage/vandalism and burglary/breaking and entering offenses.
• Arrests for "Group B offenses" increased slightly as compared to the previous year but remained within the standard range of five-year trends.

In the report, Chief Andy Penn said as a result of focused enforcement efforts and increased community awareness, thefts from motor vehicles decreased 13.1 percent from 2020.

Crimes against society also decreased by 24 percent from 2020 totals.

"The department remains committed to reducing, preventing and solving crime through active
patrols, strategic deployment of police resources and comprehensive follow-up investigations," Penn noted in the report.

There were also reductions in intimidation (-28.8%) and homicide (-100%) offenses, but these were offset primarily by increases in simple and aggravated assaults. According to the report, assaults have increased each year since 2018.

Sex-related offenses, while higher from 2020 totals, are below the previous-five-year-average number of offenses, the report found.

Despite these increases, the Arlington violent crime rate (705.2 offenses per 100,000 persons), was much less (61.25%) than the state of Virginia violent crime rate (1,151.2 offenses per 100,000 persons)

Penn said that police staffing continues to be the most significant challenge facing his agency, as
well as police departments across the country.

"With a reduced workforce, we had to make the difficult decision to change the way we deliver some services to the community," he said in the report. "Still, I remain optimistic recent advancements to officer pay and benefits, as well as innovative recruitment strategies, will help us in returning to full staffing."

The report also showcased the accomplishments of the department and its personnel throughout the year in support of key initiatives of crime prevention and control, transportation safety and community engagement.

“It was, and continues to be, my greatest professional honor to be selected to serve as the Chief of Police and lead the dedicated men and women of the Arlington County Police Department,” Penn said. “2021 brought unique challenges as we continued to navigate the uncertainty of a global pandemic."

"Throughout the year, the sworn and civilian staff of ACPD remained resilient and rose to each new challenge while continuing to provide the highest quality police services. I am incredibly proud of the work they do each and every day in service to our community. I also recognize we are at our very best when working in collaboration with the community and appreciate all who engaged with us throughout the year to make us the very best we can be," he continued.

Other annual report highlights include:

• Advancing the Officer Wellness Program to support employee physical and mental health
• Engaging the community in the future of policing in Arlington
• Recognizing officers for their response at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021
• Remembering those who were lost and a look at the department’s preparedness efforts on the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks
• Addressing the continuing opioid crisis through collaborative efforts focused on support, resources and education
• Ensuring safety for all road users through transportation safety initiatives and programs
• Establishing the Community Engagement Division to further ACPD’s commitment to working collaboratively with our diverse and inclusive community to ensure the safety of all who live, work and visit Arlington
• Reviewing Internal Affairs reports

To read the report in its entirety, click here.

*Group A offenses as crimes against persons are defined as: murder/non-negligent manslaughter, negligent manslaughter, abduction/kidnapping, sex offenses, aggravated assault, simple assault, intimidation, and human trafficking. Forcible sex offenses include forcible rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object and forcible fondling. Non-forcible sex offenses include incest and statutory rape.

*Group A offenses as crimes against property are defined as: arson, bribery, burglary/breaking and entering, counterfeiting/forgery, destruction/vandalism of property, embezzlement, extortion/blackmail, fraud offenses, larceny/theft offenses, robbery, stolen property and motor vehicle theft. Stolen property offenses include receiving, buying, selling, possessing, concealing or transporting any property with the knowledge that it has been unlawfully taken.

*Group A offenses as crimes against society are defined as: drug/narcotic offenses, gambling offenses, prostitution offenses, and weapons law violations. Gambling offenses include betting/wagering, operating/promoting/assisting gambling, gambling equipment violations and sports tampering. Prostitution offenses include prostitution, assisting or promoting prostitution
and purchasing prostitution.

*Group B offenses are defined as: bad checks, curfew/loitering/vagrancy violations, disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, drunkenness, family offenses (non-violent), liquor law violations, peeping tom, runaway, trespass of real property.