Safety is key when it comes to choosing a place to live and work. You can be confident in that Arlington is one of the safest localities in the nation. The crime rate in Arlington, VA is well below the national average.
Residents and workers can feel secure in their surroundings, whether walking home after work or when enjoying an evening out with friends or coworkers. In addition to Arlington’s own robust public safety agencies, the region is also served by numerous federal, state and local partner agencies. These partners collaboratively ensure community safety and provide added capabilities to ensure the well-being of the community.
The Arlington County Police Department is dedicated to providing high-quality police services that reflect the Arlington’s values and objectives. It works closely with the community to understand its vision for police services and mitigate community safety concerns.
Arlington’s public safety agencies work collaboratively with community and neighborhood groups, including nonprofit organizations and its Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). Together, these organizations collaboratively ensure safety and improve quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors.
In addition, the BIDs also have their own dedicated staff, and many commercial entities in Arlington’s urban corridors also employ dedicated security to monitor buildings, parking garages and sidewalks.
Arlington ranks as one of the safest counties in the D.C. region, with AreaVibes ranking Arlington, VA safety as A+. Data from a variety of sources cites Arlington as achieving safety scores higher than the average for Virginia, as well as for the U.S. As a whole, Living in Arlington comes with a wide range of benefits, and safety ranks at the top of the list.
Arlington is known for its innovative programs that leverage best practices in public safety. Arlington actively engages with those they serve and works with local partners to offer unique community training opportunities.
Arlington’s County Board adopted its first five-year Vision Zero Action Plan in May 2021. This action plan provides a framework to work towards eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all. Arlington will work to implement its Vision Zero strategy through educational efforts, partnerships with community groups, law enforcement, commissions and advocacy groups, and engineering improvements.