Alexandria’s Crime Plummets 30% Under Chief McGuire’s Leadership

A bold 100-day plan and community partnerships slashed crime—but can Chief McGuire fix the department’s deeper struggles? The city’s safety hangs in the balance.

, and Administrator

2025 December 10 . 9:17 PM

1 min read

In this image we can see two police officers, one of them is holding some papers, and talking in... — In this image we can see two police officers, one of them is holding some papers, and talking in the mic, in front of him there is a podium, also we can see a board with some symbols, and text written on it, there is a banner, cloth, a stand, we can see the flag, and a table.

Alexandria’s Crime Plummets 30% Under Chief McGuire’s Leadership

Alexandria has seen a sharp drop in crime this year, with reported incidents falling by nearly 30%. The city’s police department, however, continues to face challenges over staffing and pay. Chief Tarrick McGuire, now a year into his leadership role, is working to address these issues while maintaining progress in crime reduction.

Since January, Alexandria has recorded 2,819 serious crimes—a 29.8% decline compared to the same period in 2024. Chief McGuire credits the improvement to stronger partnerships with city agencies, local businesses, and community groups. Alongside this, the department has launched a 100-day action plan and is collaborating with George Mason University on a long-term crime reduction strategy.

The department’s efforts have led to a double-digit crime reduction, but staffing and compensation hurdles persist. With a new hiring incentive under consideration and a five-year strategy in development, the focus remains on sustaining safety improvements while addressing internal challenges.