The crime rate across the metropolitan Washington region has declined for the fifth consecutive year, according to the Report on Crime and Crime Control: 2017.
“Total crimes against people and property are on the decline— a trend that we have enjoyed for the last decade,” Ronald A. Pavlik, Council of Governments (COG) Police Chiefs Committee Chairman, wrote in the report. “However, a slight increase in the individual category of rape in 2017 indicates that there is still work to be done to deter as well as educate about this and other crimes.”
The COG report is based on crime incidents reported by member law enforcement agencies in metropolitan Washington. Compiled by COG’s Police Chiefs Committee, it focuses on violent crimes, such as homicides, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. It also crimes against property, including burglary, larceny, and vehicle theft.
According to the report, 5,482 fewer offenses were reported in 2017 than in 2016.
“Declines were observed in every category of property crime as well as most categories of violent crime,” the report said. “Crimes against property in 2017 were lower in every category than in 2016. Burglary decreased by 13 percent, larceny decreased by 2.3 percent, and motor vehicle theft decreased by 6.4 percent. Since 2008, crimes against property have decreased overall by 29.4 percent.”