Arlington official cites drop in property crimes, flags rise in DUIs and disorder

A city presenter told attendees that Arlington police responded to 23,727 calls for service in 2025 and that the city recorded meaningful reductions in several property crime categories while noting increases in assaults, disorder incidents and driving‑under‑the‑influence cases.

"In 2025, Arlington police responded to 23,727 calls for service," the presenter said, adding that year‑to‑date comparisons showed declines in vehicle theft, burglary, theft and fraud but increases in assaults and substance‑related incidents. The presenter said traffic stops increased by about 18% from 2024 to 2025 as part of targeted enforcement.

The presenter described enforcement and response tools the department is using: automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in high‑traffic areas, which the presenter said helped recover about 102 stolen vehicles (roughly double previous recoveries); targeted patrols focused on repeat offenders; and a coordinated approach to substance and disorder issues that pairs law enforcement with human‑services and prosecution partners.

On alternatives to purely enforcement responses, the presenter said the community outreach team pairs a police officer with a full‑time social worker; about one‑third of their contacts led to transport to service providers. The city also contracts a domestic violence coordinator (25 hours per week) and partners with Blue Bridge Alliance to provide small temporary assistance; the presenter said donations plus a state match helped bring in roughly $9,100 to assist people with urgent needs.

Next steps: the police department will emphasize targeted patrols in high‑collision areas, continue ALPR use and expand coordinated outreach with human‑services partners in 2026.