“Dogged investigatory work” from the Alexandria Police Department is “easing a spike in crime,” says Mayor Justin Wilson.
Alexandria has seen an 8% overall surge in crimes against people and property so far this year, according to Part I crime statistics recently released by the APD Crime Dashboard. As of Oct. 31, there have been 3,929 incidents this year, versus 3,647 for the same period last year.
Larcenies have seen a 13% uptick, with 3,132 incidents reported so far this year, against 2,772 larcenies reported up to this point in 2023.
“Through the end of October, we have seen progress,” Wilson said in his December newsletter. “Stolen autos, aggravated assault and robberies are all down. Burglaries are level with 2023 and larcenies are up from 2023.”
Wilson pointed to the arrests of two Fairfax County residents suspected in a September double-shooting in the city’s Braddock neighborhood and the recent arrest of a suspect in the attempted abduction and sexual battery at Holmes Run Dog Park as examples that increased investigative funds allocated from City Council are paying off.
“Both arrests were the result of information from the public and dogged investigatory work by the APD,” Wilson said. “It is that work that has led to progress in easing a spike in crime Alexandria has seen in the aftermath of the pandemic.”
Wilson is leaving office at the end of the month. He said that the city is responding to the uptick with the following approaches:
- Restoring Police Staffing/Reducing Attrition
- Expanding “upstream” investments (family supports, mental/behavioral health, housing, re-entry programs, etc) proven to reduce violence
- Expanding community policing
- Continue advocacy for new laws in Washington and Richmond to slow the flow of dangerous firearms into our community
Wilson recently told ALXnow that 15-to-25-year-old males are committing a large percentage of violent crime in the city.
““Let’s be honest, it’s 15-to-25-year-old boys,” Wilson said. “And that is who is dominating the crime that we see in the city, and most of it is firearm-related incidents. It’s also regional in nature.”
The responsibility of lowering the crime rate now goes to newly hired Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire. McGuire, the former assistant chief of police in Arlington, Texas, will be sworn into office later this month.
Alexandria’s Part I Crime
2023 | 2024
Larcenies — 2,772 3,132
Stolen Auto — 396 345
Aggravated Assault — 222 202
Burglary — 136 138
Robbery — 116 108
Homicide — 5 0
Rape — 0 4
Total — 3,647 3,929
