Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Contact: John Lisle 703-228-4311 (voice) 703-228-4743(TTY)
Contact: Steve Gomez 703-228-4331 (voice) 703-228-4743 (TTY)
Arlington’s crime rate falls again
Five-year trend continues
ARLINGTON, Va. – Crime statistics for 2006 released today by the Arlington County Police Department show that Arlington’s crime rate is continuing to decline. The crime rate — the number of index crimes per 100,000 people — was 2,212 in 2006, down from 2,447 in 2005. This marks the fifth straight year the crime rate has decreased. The current crime rate is Arlington’s lowest since 1960.
“We welcome this good news,” commented Paul Ferguson, chairman of the Arlington County Board. “The safety of our community is one of the important reasons that Arlington is such a great place to live, work and visit.”
Arlington County Police Chief M. Douglas Scott stated, “I am proud of my officers’ hard work and accomplishments, but the police can not take all the credit for this achievement. The outstanding support we receive from Arlington residents also contributes greatly to our low crime rate. Despite recent upward trends in national violent crime statistics, rest assured that the Arlington Police will be making every effort to maintain the safe and secure environment we now enjoy.”
In 2006, there were 4,428 index crimes in Arlington, 8.7% fewer than in 2005. Vehicle thefts, which fell by 14.8% in 2006, have experienced a remarkable 71.8% decrease over the last decade. Other crime categories which have dropped precipitously over the past 10 years are burglaries (54.6%), larcenies (52.7%), and robberies (46.0%). The only crime totals which rose from 2005 to 2006 were robberies (3.1%) and burglaries (0.8%).
Note: Index crimes—homicides, forcible rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, arsons, burglaries, larcenies and vehicle thefts—are the eight categories generally used by law enforcement as a standardized measure of the incidence of crime. Arsons in Arlington are investigated by the Fire Marshal and are not reported by the Police Department.
Arlington County index crimes & crime rate for last 20 years (1987-2006)
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.