Virginia Beach Police Department Releases 2022 Crime Data

Today Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate released detailed crime statistics for 2022. During a presentation to City Council, Chief Neudigate presented data about Part I crime categories including 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 the Department’s sworn staffing vacancy rate and an update on the 2022 technology enhancements the Department initiated.

Highlights

• Of the 8,941 Part I crimes that occurred in 2022, just 510, or 5.7%, were violent. In fact, violent crimes are down 12.4% compared to 2021 and down 20.7% compared to 2018.
• Aggravated assault is down 25.2% compared to 2021.
• The total number of shooting victims also decreased by 14.7% from 75 in 2021 to 64 in 2022.
• VBPD seized or came in possession of 1,654 firearms in 2022, an increase of 32.2% from 2021.
• Of the 23 homicides in Virginia Beach last year 18, or 78.3%, have been cleared. VBPD Homicide Detectives are actively pursuing leads and witnesses on the remaining five cases. VBPD’s current homicide clearance rate for 2022 is far superior to the national average of 54% (as reported by the FBI in 2020). Even so, the 2022 homicide clearance rate is anticipated to increase.

In addition to continual declining violent crimes, Virginia Beach had the lowest homicide both overall and per 100,000 residents when compared to other cities in the United States of similar size and population.

Chief Neudigate touted the technological enhancements the department has invested in over the past two years as instrumental in downward trend in Part I crime in 2022.

“The City has invested in technology to enhance our officer’s enforcement and investigative capabilities, improving evidentiary outcomes and enhancing officer safety,” said Neudigate. “These investments are a testament to our commitment to community-oriented policing and data-driven practices. I’m excited to see how these crime trends evolve in the future as our analytic capabilities and resources grow.”