Arrests are way up in Mason District
There have been big increases in assaults and shoplifting in the Mason Police District* during the first half of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023 and 2022, the station commander, Major Erin Weeks, reports.
Arrests are way up in the Mason Police District over the past two years. There were 3,844 arrests so far in 2024, compared to 2,785 during the first half of 2023, and 2,016 in the first half of 2022.
Shoplifting arrests more than doubled from the same period last year. There were 1,201 in 2024, 571 in 2023, and 451 in 2022.
There were 710 non-aggravated assault arrests during the first half of 2024, compared to 698 year-to-date in 2023 and 555 YTD in 2022.
There were 33 aggravated assaults in 2024, down from 37 YTD in 2023 and up from 29 YTD in 2022.
In other crime statistics comparing the first half of 2024 with the same period in the previous two years:
- There were four homicides in 2024, compared to one each in 2023 and 2022.
- Arrests for forcible sexual offenses declined, from 27 in 2022, to 14 in 2023, to 12 this year.
- Robberies of a person rose from 25 in 2022, to 38 in 2023, to 46 in 2024.
- Auto thefts have declined. There were 74 arrests in 2022, 71 in 2023, and 67 in 2024.
- There were 43 burglary/breaking-and-entering arrests this year, down from 56 in 2023 but up from 33 in 2022.
- There were two carjackings this year, compared to one in 2023 and four in 2022.
- There were 145 thefts from motor vehicles so far in 2024, compared to 135 last year and 180 in 2022.
- Thefts of vehicle parts and commercial robberies have declined over the past two years.
Traffic citations in the Mason Police District are way up from last year. There were 1,966 citations so far in 2024, compared to 1,330 year-to-date in 2023 and 1,198 YTD in 2022.
The most commonly issued citations in 2024 are for a driver failing to give their full time and attention to driving (527 citations), driving without a license (207), failing to obey lawfully erected signs (95), failing to obey traffic lights (69), and driving with an expired or rejected sticker (56).
*The Mason Police District is not contiguous with the Mason Supervisor District, although there is a lot of overlap.
I wonder why?
Thank you so much for sharing this information with your readers. The numbers of arrests seem to be a credible indicator of the level of crime occurring.
As you note, some forms of crime are higher, and some are lower.
I’m unsure whether the significant increase in shoplifting will be responded to effectively. I hope it will be because I like to have convenient access to supermarkets and other retail stores.
Yes a lot of what used to be covered exclusively by Mason district police is covered by the Franconia Police district. And of course as you said there is overlap. Thank you for pointing that out in your article.
My Goodness. The citizens of Annandale are begging law enforcement to crack down, and prosecute law offenders!
These are just arrests; enforcement is down according to every officer I know.
So, to have more arrests means crime is WAY up.
Measure reported crimes, arrests, conviction rates, duration of incarceration, and recidivism. Then you would have a full picture. But elected/appointed officials would never let that happen.
Concerned about crime? You can start by thanking the voters that re-elected Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano for NOT prosecuting suspects that commit crimes (especially those he sees as “minor”). Then when you talk with police, as well as check his actions, you will learn he prefers prosecution of police officers over criminals. Then, in the next election you can vote Steve Descano out of office. In the interim, let the new Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez know that you expect the Board of Supervisors to provide and prioritize law enforcement with our taxes over crazy stuff like a COVID memorial and other stuff that means nothing if our community isn’t safe.
Till then be vigilant and be prepared to fend for your family and yourself on your own.
People live in the wooden areas of public parks and high schools. They use the bathroom everywhere and throw trash everywhere. What has happened to our community?