Crime declined last year in nearly all categories

Crime in Fairfax County is down in almost all categories, Police Chief Kevin Davis reports.

Homicides were down 7 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, Davis said in a presentation to the Board of Supervisors’ Safety and Security Committee on March 10.

There were 13 homicides last year, which was the lowest number since 2018. Five were domestic related, six were acquaintances, and five were indoors.

The only major category last year that saw an increase was aggravated assaults, which are up 11 percent.

One reason, Davis said, is that “strangulation crimes are more prevalent now.” A recently enacted state law makes strangulation a felony, “so officers are paying attention to the elements of strangulation and classifying it as such, which automatically makes it an aggravated assault.” Also, assaults against police officers have increased.

Among other data presented by Davis:

• Non-fatal shootings are down 37 percent in 2025, compared to the previous year.

• Sex offenses declined 11 percent from 2024 to 2025.

• There were 12 carjackings in 2025, a 48 percent reduction from 2024.

• Car thefts are down 10 percent. Hyundai Elantra remains the number-one stolen car. The most common ways cars are stolen are by popping the ignition and leaving the keys inside a vehicle.

• Robberies declined 19 percent, and burglaries of homes and businesses are down 27 percent.

• Shoplifting is down 11 percent.

Most of those crime statistics are in line with regional and national trends, Davis said.

“So many people think that crime is rampant in this community. This data shows we do not have a crime problem here in Fairfax County,” said Supervisor Rodney Lusk (Franconia).

The FCPD is piloting the latest version of Axon body-worn cameras in the Mason Police District, Davis said. The upgraded system can automatically translate 22 languages. After the pilot, the cameras will be deployed countywide.

The number of FCPD applicants is up 22 percent in 2025 while attrition is down 22 percent, he said. The 140 new officers hired last year speak 26 different languages. The department is making steady progress toward its 30 by 30 goal of having 30 percent women on the force by 2030.

Among other data shared by Davis:

• The number of fatal opioid overdoses declined 27 percent in 2025, compared to the previous year. Police officers used Narcan 65 times last year to revive overdose victims, which was an increase from 2024.

• Since 2021, the police carried out emergency substantial risk orders 463 times, where they removed firearms from homes, mostly due to a mental health or behavioral threat.

• More than 800 cases were investigated by the threat assessment and management team and the criminal intelligence unit last year. Those threats often targeted public officials, CEOs, and community leaders.

• Police responded to 42 civil disturbance incidents in 2025, including several No Kings events, protests at Tesla dealerships, pro-Palestinian protests, and protests at Capital One.

• The financial crimes unit investigated more than 3,500 cases involving identity theft, fraud, or related crimes last year.

• Motor vehicle deaths are down 53 percent, and pedestrian deaths are down 20 percent in 2025, compared to 2024. DWI arrests are up 8 percent.

• There’s been an 11 percent reduction in foot pursuits in 2025 compared to 2024. Drones have already played a role in shortening and preventing foot pursuits.

• Tips submitted to the Real Time Crime Center are up 114 percent in 2025. There was a 2,600 percent increase in rewards paid to tipsters, amounting to about $16,000. Those funds primarily come from a Crime Solvers golf tournament.

• More than 500 residents and businesses have registered their surveillance cameras with the Real Time Crime Center through the Connect Fairfax program. Davis wants to get that up to 10,000, noting, “That’s one of the strongest crime prevention programs that we have in our tool bag.” The vast majority of participants let the police know they have a camera and can share video if a crime happens nearby. Very few community members have given the FCPD direct access to their camera feed.