FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Loudoun County, VA (November 8, 2021)-The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) reported the lowest crime rate in Northern Virginia and has the second-lowest crime rate in the National Capital Region among those law enforcement agencies that partner with the Metropolitan Council of Governments (MWCOG). The regional crime data is part of the Annual Report on Crime and Crime Control and was released by MWCOG in October.
In 2020, the rate of serious crime saw 5.8 crimes per 1000 residents in Loudoun County and is nearly half the crime rate since Sheriff Mike Chapman took office. The serious crime rate has continued to decrease despite extraordinary growth in population in the county, experiencing an additional 110,000 residents over the past decade.
According to the report, the National Capital Region saw an 8.4 increase in the total number of Part I (serious crime) offenses in 2020 from 2019. The LCSO reported a 13.5% decrease in Part I crimes during the same time period.
“Our strong community partnerships and the trust and mutual respect we have developed through our community engagement are likely why Loudoun has remained one of the safest counties in the region,” noted Sheriff Chapman after reviewing the report. A recent community survey conducted by the National Research Center found 87% of residents viewed the police/sheriff services in Loudoun County as excellent or good, with 89% of residents reporting the overall feeling of safety in Loudoun County as excellent or good.
The MWCOG Annual Report on Crime and Crime Control focuses on Part I offenses as defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigations including homicide, aggravated assault, rape, robbery, burglary, auto theft, and larceny. The report can be found online here.
MWCOG is an independent nonprofit association that is comprised of 24 local governments and 300 elected officials. The association brings together area leaders to address major regional issues.