Murder, violent crime down in Virginia; Miyares credits Ceasefire Virginia

Virginia has witnessed a 30% decrease in murders and an 11% decrease in overall violent crime so far in 2024 compared with the same timeframe last year, according to statewide data.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares highlighted the information as part of the two-year anniversary of Ceasefire Virginia, a program he has credited with those rates in participating regions statewide. The program, a collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, focuses on dismantling violent crime networks and holding repeat offenders accountable.

Ceasefire cities are responsible for about a 40% overall reduction in violent crime across Virginia, according to data.

“Ceasefire Virginia’s targeted actions to dismantle networks of violent crime is working,” said Miyares. “By focusing on the small percentage of individuals committing a disproportionate share of serious violence, our message is clear: if you endanger Virginians’ lives and terrorize our neighborhoods with violence, the commonwealth of Virginia will ensure you face the full force of justice. There is no escaping the consequences.”

Ceasefire Virginia has secured a near-100% conviction rate, resulting in 68 convictions and a total of 5,649 months – or 470.75 years – of federal prison time for violent repeat offenders. The average sentence length is approximately seven years, with inmates required to serve at least 85% of their sentence under federal guidelines.

The program funds seven cross-designated Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys to support federal cases, which have resulted in 170 indictments at the federal level and one at the state level to date, with more than 50 other investigations ongoing.