Virginia's Crime Rate
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PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY SHERIFF ROBERT MOSIER Virginia’s next drug take-back day will take place on April 28, 2018 between 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. This state-wide event is an effort to prevent prescription drug abuse in our communities, including Fauquier On behalf of all of us at the County, and to keep trace drugs out of our lakes and Fauquier County Sheriff’s streams, since wastewater treatment plants cannot office, I hope you and remove many compounds found in medications. your family are eager to say farewell to winter and During the last Drug Take Back Day, held on October NEWSLETTER welcome a return of spring 28, 2017, Virginia collected nearly 26,000 pounds of SPRING EDITION 2018 to the Commonwealth. drugs. A few things to keep in mind if you would like to participate: 1) It’s anonymous and free; 2) Many Virginia residents Prescription and over-the counter medications and their families will be will be accepted; and 3) Please do not give taking to the roadways, intravenous solutions, injectables, or needles. enjoying the change of season, and exploring all Drug take-back days are important because our of the wonderful family- state, along with many others across the country, oriented events, parks, and scenery Virginia has to is experiencing an opioid epidemic. Drug overdose offer. So I encourage drivers to be extra vigilant, is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. especially as this time of year brings many out-of-state and opioid addiction is driving this epidemic. Most visitors to our area. people who abuse prescription painkillers indicate Below are a few tips to promote safety on our roadways: that they obtained the prescription drugs from • Refrain from drinking and driving friends or relatives for free. • Refrain from walking or driving impaired, Residents in communities across Virginia, including which includes the use of a cell phone or Fauquier County, are urged to find out if their other multi-media device Sheriff Robert Mosier community is participating in a prescription drug • Yield to pedestrians 78 W Lee St. #200 take-back event and if so, where to drop off their • Obey speed limits Warrenton, VA 20186 unused, unwanted, or expired medications for safe (540) 422-8600 Of course the goal of the Fauquier County Sheriff’s disposal. Office is to provide the highest level of service to our community and to promote public safety. As always I urge you to help Fauquier County’s law enforcement efforts by reporting crimes and suspicious activity CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA! when you see them so that we can do our very best to Twitter keep this community a safe place to work, play, live, IN THIS ISSUE … https://twitter.com/VSInstitute and raise our families. Virginia’s Crime Rate ...............2 Facebook Once again, my door is always open to everyone. I want https://www.facebook.com/vasheriffsinstitute Virginia Rules ............................2 to know what you consider important and necessary to keep ours a safe community. Traffic Deaths in VA .................2 VIRGINIA’S CRIME Scholarship Deadline I deeply appreciate your continued support! We Want to Hear from You ... Approaching ..............................2 Sincerely, ! 901 East Byrd Street, Suite 1301 Annual Spring Conference......3 Richmond, Virginia 23219 RATE REFLECTS ( (804) 225-7152 phone Puppy Fraud Alert .....................3 4 (804) 225-7162 fax Did You Know? ..........................3 Sheriff Robert Mosier : [email protected] Disabled Parking Placards .....3 78 W Lee St. #200 NATIONAL TREND Upcoming Drug Take Warrenton, VA 20186 The VSI solicits articles and comments from associate members of Back Day ....................................4 (540) 422-8600 the Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute for inclusion in this newsletter. Articles and comments should be directed to: John W. Jones, Executive Message from Sheriff Director, Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute, 901 East Byrd Street, Suite 1301, Robert Mosier ............................4 Richmond, Virginia 23219, or phone (804) 225-7152. VIRGINIA’S CRIME RATE ANNUAL VSI SPRING DID YOU Between 2015 and 2016, violent crime whole, crime rate increases like this one CONFERENCE KNOW? increased by 10 percent, while homicides — violence, guns, drugs, car thefts — tend jumped 26 percent. These trends were also to be associated with urban street gangs.” Over 250 Virginia sheriffs, management level The Sheriff is the only apparent nationwide. At the time of going Since 1992 crime rates have for the most deputies, and guests are taking part in the 2018 locally elected constitutional law to print, 2017 statewide crime rate statistics part been on the decline. But 2015 and 2016 Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute’s Spring Conference enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of were unavailable. marked two years in a row of increasing and Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Exhibition. And Virginia, as provided in the Constitution of Virginia, and is elected crime in Virginia. we expect a tremendous turnout at this year’s by the citizens of his or her locality every four years. Accordingly, At a time of increasing heroin use and conference to be held on April 25-27, 2018 at the the duties of the sheriff are not spelled out in any one document, 2017-2018 drug overdoses by citizens in our state and Despite these trends in the crime rate, Newport News Marriott at City Center in Newport law, or regulation. across the country, drug crime rates were Virginia has the third-lowest crime rate News, Virginia. on the rise as well during 2015 and 2016. Law Enforcement – Sheriffs are responsible for primary local and the tenth-lowest property crime rate in And statewide, gun charges helped push The VSI Spring Conference is an important forum law enforcement in all counties without a police force, but also President the country. Virginia sheriffs and deputies weapons violations higher in 2016. for sheriffs, deputies, and Virginia legislators to have responsibility for law enforcement in all localities in which Sheriff Michael S. “Mike” Mondul continue to lead and take part in a number they serve. City of Danville According to Virginia Tech criminologist, of public safety task forces and initiatives discuss how legislation passed during the 2018 Jim Hawdon, who was cited for an article that aim to strengthen the protection of General Assembly could impact the duties of public Jail Administration – The Code of Virginia provides that sheriffs safety officers in the Commonwealth. In addition, Immediate Past President in the Virginian-Pilot, “when taken as a citizens in our state. are responsible for all locally operated jails. Sheriffs also sit on Sheriff C.O. Balderson important training sessions to enhance crime regional jail boards, and in some cases operate regional jails in Westmoreland County prevention efforts by law enforcement officers are Virginia. featured as part of the conference. VIRGINIA RULES Service to the Courts – Court services, including courthouse and Vice President The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association’s upcoming 85th Sheriff Barry E. Letterman Young people commit and are more courtroom security, the security and sequestering of the jurors, Annual Conference will be held September 11-13 Appomattox County frequently the victims of violent crime than and the service of hundreds of thousands of court papers each any other age group. That’s why Virginia’s in Virginia Beach, Virginia. year, are the responsibility of all Virginia’s sheriffs. sheriffs and deputies are taking an active Secretary role in promoting good citizenship among In addition to these services, sheriffs are called upon to promote Sheriff James E. Brown, III our youth. DARE programs and services for victims and witnesses of crime City of Charlottesville instruction on issues including bullying, as well as participate in civil commitments to the citizens of their Virginia Rules is a law-related education dating violence, teen driving, alcohol and locality to protect the basic health and welfare of those citizens. Treasurer program administered by the Office of the tobacco, gangs, Internet safety and more. PUPPY FRAUD ALERT Sheriff Mark A. Amos Attorney General to educate teens about Last year nearly two dozen law Virginians are being targeted by scammers in Orange County how Virginia laws apply to them. This is enforcement agencies, including sheriff’s a new scheme that targets dog lovers. If you’re part of an ongoing effort to provide parents, offices across our state, hosted Virginia looking online for a new puppy to add to your REMINDER ABOUT teachers, and students with tools they Rules Camps. These camps help build family, beware. Virginia’s Attorney General has need to ensure Virginia teens make better positive relationships between law received several reports of consumers entering DISABLED PARKING decisions and understand their rights and Board Members enforcement officers and youth in into agreements and putting forth hundreds of responsibilities. PLACARDS communities across our state. To learn dollars to buy a purebred puppy online only to learn Sheriff Karl S. Leonard Middle and high school students receive more, visit www.virginiarules.org. that the puppy never existed. According to the Department of Motor Chesterfield County Vehicles, if you have been issued a disabled As always if something parking placard and plate, you are permitted Sheriff Les R. Taylor TRAFFIC DEATHS ON THE RISE SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE sounds too good to be to park in any parking space designated City of Winchester According to the Virginia Department of The Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute scholarship true, it probably is. The for a disabled person. In addition, you are Transportation, traffic deaths in Virginia program — which is funded exclusively by Better Business Bureau permitted to park for up to four hours in urges consumers to Executive Director increased significantly in 2017. It’s also generous VSI supporters like you — is granted metered or time-restricted spaces without John W.