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Editor’s note: This is the first in a three-part series, as we look at the data from the annual Crime in Virginia report. Up next with the crime report data will be Buckingham and then Cumberland. 

Prince Edward’s crime rate and the number of crimes committed in the county dropped in 2023. This came from the annual Crime in Virginia report, which details data in each of the cities, counties and towns across the Commonwealth. 

The crime rate for Prince Edward County, which includes numbers from the county sheriff’s office, Farmville Police Department (FPD) and Virginia State Police (VSP), fell to 66.35 per thousand people, the lowest in five years. That is down from 86.79 per thousand in 2022, and 70.90 in 2019. 

So what do the numbers say? Prince Edward saw the number of crimes drop by 23.5% to 613 in 2023, with Farmville handling 394 of these, the sheriff’s office handled 199 and State Police had 19. This compares to 800 crimes in 2022, where FPD handed 483 of them, PESCO 291 and VSP 26. Crimes against person, property and society were all down during 2023 in Prince Edward County. 

Prince Edward County Sheriff L.A. “Tony” Epps said there is really no magic answer to why crime rates dropped from year to year. 

“I would like to think that having a pro law enforcement population, with programs such as Neighborhood Watch in our county, certainly plays a role,” Epps said. The sheriff said his department is also involved in a lot of community policing events throughout the year that builds relationships with the public that gets us a lot of crime tips. 

“This along with good, trained deputies and a lot of patrol that is 24 hours a day is a proven crime deterrent,” Epps said. “When we do have a crime occurrence, our team of investigators work hard to solve the cases and arrest the offenders.” 

Farmville makes strides

Farmville Police Chief Andy Ellington said his department has made significant strides over the past few years to enhance safety and security for our residents, visitors and patrons. 

“We have embraced cutting-edge technology, installing surveillance cameras throughout key areas of the Town of Farmville,” Ellington said. “These tools provide us with a valuable, real-time view of incidents, aiding in swift and effective responses. Additionally, we utilize state-of- the-art cameras and alert systems that allow us to communicate instantly with other agencies across the country, issuing alerts for vehicles of interest or potential threats that enter our area.” 

He said their commitment to leveraging the latest technology plays a crucial role in keeping our community safe. However, Ellington noted they know that reducing crime takes more than just a police presence and new technology. 

“By working closely with local businesses and community partners, we’ve built strong relationships that allow us to extend our reach and presence, which serves as an effective crime deterrent,” he said. “On the strategic side, we’ve adapted our policing methods, influenced by both General Assembly policy changes and our own assessments of where increased efforts are needed.” 

One of the biggest declines in the crime numbers involved property crimes, down by 214 to 152 in 2023. The prior year totaled 366, according to the VSP report. Ellington explained that in 2022, the town experienced a surge in catalytic converter thefts, like many other areas across the country. 

“This nationwide crime wave peaked in 2022, leading to a noticeable increase in property crime reports,” Ellington explained. “However, by 2023, this trend began to decline, thanks in part to changes in laws and industry practices.” 

Crime report details state changes

Part of the reduction comes from a change in state law, Ellington said. It’s now a Class 6 felony to sell or even possess a stolen catalytic converter. 

The Farmville chief said during their investigation into these thefts, his department realized one its greatest resources — smart doorbells and home security cameras that homeowners have installed. 

“Their footage proved instrumental in solving several cases,” Ellington said. “By collaborating with our residents and utilizing their technology alongside our patrol strategies, we’ve been able to not only solve crimes but also build strong relationships with the community.” He noted this partnership is something FPD plans to expand as they continue their work to keep town neighborhoods safe. In the area of crimes against society, declines in the number of drug and weapon law violations led drops in Prince Edward County. 

Since marijuana was decriminalized in 2021, there’s been a substantial reduction in the number of drug-related cases in Farmville and the surrounding county. But the legal change has led to some challenges as well. Investigating drug offenses has always been complex, and in the past, finding larger quantities of marijuana often led Farmville police to uncover illegal weapons or other drugs. 

“Law enforcement is constantly adapting to these evolving circumstances,” Ellington said. “Our commitment to protecting the community from dangerous substances remains strong, but this is not a task we can tackle alone.” Ellington said his department relies on the support of our community — if residents have information about dangerous drugs, he asks them to come forward. 

“Together, we can keep these substances off our streets and ensure a safer environment for everyone,” Ellington said. 

The one increase in crime report

As to the one area that showed an increase, the number of domestic violence crimes rose to 149 in 2023, up from 144 in 2022. While the increase the community has seen is small, Ellington said it still represents lives impacted by abuse. “Domestic violence is a horrible crime, and our department remains committed to addressing it with the seriousness it deserves,” he said. “From our perspective, we see this slight increase as a sign that victims may feel more empowered to come forward and seek help.”

This can be attributed to increased awareness efforts, improved access to services for victims and the continued work of his officers and community partners in creating a supportive and caring environment for reporting these crimes, Ellington said.

“Our officers undergo specialized training when it comes to domestic violence and practice a victim-centered approach while holding offenders accountable for their actions,” he added. 

Encouraging to see reductions

Ellington said it is encouraging to see lower numbers in several key areas of concern as compared to last year. 

“This demonstrates that our strategies and community partnerships are making a difference and keeping our community safe,” Ellington explained. “However, we know there is always room for improvement, and we remain focused on addressing any areas of concern to ensure the continued safety of our community.” 

He added that FPD officers are trained to respond with compassion, respect and confidentiality. “We are committed to listening, helping and making sure that you feel empowered to come forward, knowing that your voice matters,” Ellington said. “Whether it’s for immediate assistance or simply to share information, we encourage you to contact us.” By working together, he said the police department can make a difference and continue to build a safer community for everyone.