Press Releases

Washington, D.C.- Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) released the following statement in response to the 2020 crime report published by the Virginia State Police, which showed a 23% increase in homicides. 

“Virginia’s homicide rate is wholly unacceptable,” said Wittman. Despite the challenges and dangers so clearly shown in this report, there are still those who call to  ‘Defund the Police.’ Asking Virginia’s Law Enforcement Officers to do more with less is not the answer. Now more than ever, we must stand with the men and women of law enforcement who so fearlessly guard against increasingly violent criminals, even as premeditated and politically-motivated attacks on police continue. Calls to ‘Defund the Police’ only serve to further embolden violent crimes against Virginia’s citizens and Law Enforcement Officers alike. In light of the violent crime numbers shown in this report, it’s clear we must prioritize providing Virginia’s law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to protect the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“Furthermore, Virginia’s Parole Board cannot be allowed to continue to improperly release convicted killers back into the community. Apparent attempts by the Parole Board to not only circumvent Virginia’s parole laws, but to cover up those actions, cannot be tolerated. The Commonwealth of Virginia must rein in the parole board, uphold our laws and protect our citizens.”

This year’s crime report shows a small decrease in crime overall, but a significant increase in violent crime. This increase to violent crime continues a recent trend of increasing violence. Recently, three Virginia Sheriffs have left the Democratic Party in light of ongoing calls from within Virginia’s Democratic Party to defund the police and end qualified immunity. The most recent, Sheriff Shuler of Smyth County, explaining his decision to leave the Democratic Party, stated, “You get what you pay for.”

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

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