ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Public Information Office
2003 Mill Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
(703) 838-4636
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 4, 2003
Serious Crime Drops in Alexandria,
All Categories Below 10-Year Average
The Alexandria Police Department is proud to report that serious crime decreased nearly 12% in 2002. Crime dropped in five of seven Part I crime categories, and all categories last year were below the 10-year-averages.
Alexandria police reported the following activity under the national and state standard Incident-Based Reporting (IBR):
Part I Crime Statistics (January 1 - December 31)
Offense | 2001 | 2002 | Change | 10-Year Avg |
Homicide | 3 | 2 | -33.3% | 5 |
Rape | 28 | 20 | -28.6% | 32 |
Robbery | 171 | 200 | 17.0% | 245 |
Aggravated Assault | 187 | 186 | -0.5% | 253 |
Burglary | 578 | 486 | -15.9% | 761 |
Larceny | 4,963 | 4,220 | -15.0% | 4,418 |
Auto Theft | 778 | 794 | 2.1% | 854 |
Total | 6,708 | 5,908 | -11.9% | 6,568 |
The drop in serious crime is attributed to the overall reduction of property crimes, which generally make up the largest portion of serious offenses. Property crimes (Burglary, Auto Theft and Larceny) decreased 13.0% from 2001 to 2002. Violent crimes (Homicide, Rape, Robbery and Aggravated Assault) increased 4.5% from 389 offenses in 2001 to 408 in 2002.
Serious crime has decreased in Alexandria for six of the past seven years, with the only increase occurring in 2001.
Says Police Chief Charles E. Samarra, “We gratefully acknowledge the City Council, the City Manager’s Office and the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for their support and commitment. Because of our successful partnerships with citizens, business people and other agencies, all Alexandrians enjoy a safer and higher quality of life.”
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