VBPD Releases 2024 Crime Data

Today Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate presented detailed 2024 crime statistics to Virginia Beach City Council on Part I crimes to include Violent Crimes (homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and Property Crimes (burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft from motor vehicle, all other larceny). He also presented data on fatal traffic crashes in the city in 2024. 

Highlights 

• Of the 7,977 Part I crimes that occurred in 2024, only 5.5% were violent. In fact, violent crimes are down 22.3% compared to 2023 and down 21% compared to the previous three-year average (2021 – 2023), making 2024 the lowest year for violent crimes in the last five years. 

• Part I property crime is down 4.3% compared to 2023, from 7,882 offenses to 7,541. Of particular note, larcenies from motor vehicles continue to drop, down 17%, and thefts of motor vehicles are down 27% compared to 2023 – the lowest either number has been in five years! 

• Shooting incidents decreased by 49% in 2024 from 73 to 37, and shooting victims decreased by 56% from 88 to 39. Related, VBPD seized or came in possession of 1,221 illegally possessed firearms in 2024. 

• The homicide rate fell by 46% in 2024, from 24 to 13. Of those, 100% have been positively cleared. VBPD’s homicide clearance rate continues to be far superior to the national average of 52% (as reported by the FBI in 2022).   

• Citywide vehicle crashes are down 4% since 2023 and 7% since 2022. 

• Citywide fatal vehicle crashes are down 31% since 2023. 

• When compared to neighboring cities in Hampton Roads, at 4.8 per 100,000 residents, Virginia Beach had the lowest number of fatal vehicle crashes in 2024. 

Chief Neudigate touted the determination of VBPD personnel, the use of technology, the VBPD Real Time Crime Center, and ongoing regional teamwork and collaboration in the continued downward trend in Part 1 crime in 2024.  

“In addition to the great police work and community assistance, technology aids those efforts with expanded citywide camera network and regional license plate readers playing a key role,” said Police Chief Paul Neudigate. “By providing real-time data and capturing essential details like vehicle license plates, we can quickly identify suspect vehicles to aid our investigations. These technologies routinely enhance our ability to keep the community safe and ensure we use all available resources to protect our community.” 

Neudigate added, “We attribute our 22% reduction in violent crime in 2024 to several factors, including a prioritized focus on the small numbers of individuals willing to engage in gun violence; increased use of technology to include camera expansion (both closed circuit and license plate reader); excellent work by our Detective Bureau resulting in quick arrests; the dedication of the VB Commonwealth Attorney’s Office to successfully prosecute homicide, shooting, robbery offenses, etc., resulting in convictions; and our courts that ensure sentencing is commensurate with the offense.”  

Said Neudigate, “If you decide to engage in violent crime in the City of Virginia Beach, rest assured that there is a high probability that you will be arrested, convicted, and sentenced to a substantial prison term.”