CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Initial reviews of 2025 statistics indicate crime has dropped in the county, Albemarle County Police Chief Sean Reeves said.

While his department is still pulling data from December, Reeves told WINA Morning News the trend is encouraging.

“Overall, what we’re seeing is a 23% decrease in violent crime, and that’s significantly down from last year, and a 13% decrease in property crime,” Reeves said. “What we also saw decreases is our gang-related activity as well as our gun violence incidents in our communities.”

Reeves credited the work of his officers, who he said go into the community to investigate crimes and hold people accountable, but also recognized partnerships with the Charlottesville City Police Department, Virginia State Police, and the University of Virginia Police Department.

“However, as I often say, those numbers aren’t zero. There are still victims of violent crime out there,” he said. “We did have the tragedy earlier on this year at Harris Teeter, as well.”

Reeves said that in rural areas, stolen automobiles are frequent but still on the decline. He encourages people to keep their vehicles locked, especially when it comes to firearms.

“We still have those issues with people leaving firearms unsecured in their vehicle,” he said. “And thieves will oftentimes steal vehicles or break into vehicles and steal those firearms and then use those in further acts of violence out in our community. So, we’re just asking gun owners to be responsible gun owners, to make sure that their weapons are secured and not leave them unattended in their vehicle, especially in plain view, where people can break into your car and steal them.”

Reeves said a report in the first quarter of 2026 will reflect last year’s data.