Police Talk Crime Statistics for Pentagon City, Crystal City

Arlington officers met with Crystal City and Pentagon City residents this week to talk safety tips and the latest crime trends.

“County board members were expressing some concern to the manager that it seemed like a very violent summer in Arlington and suggested we get out and hear from the community,” Police Chief Doug Scott told the group.

“But I still think your community is a relatively safe place to be,” he added.

Police have divided Arlington County into three districts. District 1 includes most of Arlington north of Route 50, an area that has seen a decrease in violent crime and property crime.

District 2 includes Lyon Village, Clarendon-Courthouse, Crystal City and Pentagon City, thought Thursday's meeting targeted residents southern half of that area. A final meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at Key Elementary School, 2300 Key Blvd.

Click here to locate the appropriate police district for your neighborhood.

Scott said while the county had enjoyed more than two years without a homicide, the spike of homicides over the summer caused people to be understandably concerned.

The first incident was a domestic dispute deemed murder-suicide, the second death was the result robbery of a jewelry store owner on Columbia Pike, and the third incident, a double homicide, is still under investigation. No arrests have been made in the last case.

"They have some solid leads and they feel certain they will be able to make an arrest in this case,” Scott said.

The chief said that the majority of incidents in Crystal City and Pentagon City have gone down since July. Burglary, larceny and vehicle thefts have all gone down. Reports of rape and robbery have gone up, though.

A breakdown of the year-to-date numbers for the Crystal City/Pentagon City areas:

Officers also offered tips on crime prevention, which included to keep all valuables out of site in parked cars. They also recommended U-locks for bicycles. Visit the Arlington County Police Department's crime prevention page for more tips.

Police encouraged residents to call the department’s non emergency number to report any suspicious activity: 703-558-2222.