The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office has released its first annual report in about a decade.
"I think it's overdue," said Sheriff Steve Simpson.
The report, which is available online on the Loudoun County website, contains general information about county law enforcement, such as the Sheriff's Office's mission statement and goals. It also highlights a few accomplishments in 2003 that might seem a bit distant today — the formation of the Northern Virginia gang task force, for example, and the response to the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel.
The report resulted from the Sheriff's Office's attempts to improve communication with the public, an effort that began in earnest with the hiring of its first full-time public information officer, Kraig Troxell, in April 2002.
Troxell coordinated the report, which was a collaborative effort between the various departments within the Sheriff's Office. The entire effort took several months, he said.
"We were trying to figure out the best way to present it to the public," Troxell said.
While the report presents most statistics for the last two to three years, one interesting development Troxell noted was the fact that crime did not increase parallel with the county's population growth.
"The numbers haven't risen staggeringly and, that I think, that's a testament to our deputies on the street," he said.
Since 2001, most types of crimes have remained at a more or less steady rate, according to the report, with a slight overall increase. In 2001, the county reported 3,379 crimes, compared to 2003's 3,674.
FOR THE AVERAGE Loudouner, however, the most interesting statistics may prove a hunch: driving along Route 7 is a harrowing experience. Fully seven of the 10 intersections in the county that saw the most car accidents are along the Harry Byrd Highway.
The statistics do not include accidents worked by Virginia State Police or the Leesburg Police Department.
Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run) commutes an hour and fifteen minutes to Washington four times a week from her home in Lansdowne.
"The safety situation on our roads is definitely a concern," she said. "Belmont Ridge Road, for instance, completely needs to be upgraded and widened."
The intersection of Belmont Ridge and Route 7 came in fourth on the Sheriff's Office list of dangerous intersections, tallying 59 accidents in 2003.
The most dangerous intersection, however, is not on Route 7. It's the meeting of Route 28 and Church and Waxpool roads in Sterling, where a construction project has confused drivers for years.
The Sterling Annex, a community center, is located near the intersection, which had 93 accidents in 2003. Its employees have learned to avoid driving through the intersection — for the most part.
"I'm a risk-taker," said Barbara Smith, Sterling Annex manager, who says she takes an alternate route about half the time. "You just hold on and hope for the best."
THE SHERIFF hopes to improve availability of the annual report next year, and get the 2004 report out by spring 2005.
"It's all a matter of staff resources and timing," Simpson said. "We're going to evaluate what is and isn't important."
Currently, the report is only available online, although interested citizens can receive a hard copy from the Sheriff's Office. Next year's budget will include funds to provide more printed copies, according to Troxell, or "at least find ways to make it more accessible," he said.