For years the Virginia State Police has published its annual “Crime in Virginia” report each May detailing the number of violent crimes, non-violent crimes, arrests, hate crimes, officer-involved shootings, and other crime-related data for the commonwealth. Then something strange happened last year: The 2023 report came out late — in August, as I recall.

This year, something even stranger is occurring. Here it is, nearly December, and the 2024 report has yet to be released. What the H-E-double hockey sticks is going on?

I asked Robin Lawson, public relations director for the Virginia State Police, why the report has not been released. Her response:

“It is still under review by Administration.”

I’m sure Lawson is just repeating what she’s been told, but this is totally unacceptable.

The Crime in Virginia reports provide critical data on issues of intense interest to Virginians. Are homicides up or down? Is general criminality up or down? Are our communities becoming safer or more dangerous? For decades, previous administration managed to publish the data, compiled from local police and sheriff departments, in a timely manner. Yet the Youngkin administration, which touts its accomplishments in realm of government efficiency, is a half year late. The report is still “under review?” Really?

We’re talking 2024 crime numbers here. Even if State Police published the data tomorrow, it would be more than a year out of date — not much help in assessing the effectiveness of law enforcement in 2025-2026. I’ve consistently defended the Youngkin administration record on public safety, but I can’t help the suspicion that the 2025 report is still “under review” because Team Youngkin doesn’t want to release the data. Why would that be? One plausible answer in these cynical times: because it would contradict an administration narrative.

I hope I’m wrong about that. Anecdotally, it seemed like 2024 experienced an improvement from the insanity of the post-George Floyd/COVID years. The data should reflect well on the administration. But maybe it doesn’t. Alternatively, perhaps the data would show that the social-justice policies of Virginia’s Soros-funded prosecutors were working. (I know, I know, that sounds far-fetched, but who knows?) The Virginia State Police could dispel uncertainty and support fact-based discussion of public policy by publishing the report immediately.

— JAB