Facts versus fiction
Loudoun County (VA) (June 12 2025): Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is recognized nationally as a leader in keeping residents safe. The first quarter of 2025 saw a 29% decrease in serious crime, and Loudoun remains the safest area in the Washington metro region.
Unfortunately, a few political activists who have a history of being against public safety have mischaracterized the commitment of LCSO to your safety. There are facts and fiction.
Our relationship with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is a two-fold one:
FICTION The LCSO and ICE signed a new deal to target immigrants based on immigration status.
FACT : The agreement that we signed with ICE is not yet in effect and only applies to those who are already detained at the Adult Detention Center for unrelated criminal charges. The agreement gives ICE an extra 48 hours to collect criminal aliens who are released from our local jail.
FICTION : Loudoun taxpayers are burdened with a large financial burden if they hold a detainee for an additional day or two.
FACT : The majority of costs at our ADC are fixed, irrespective of jail population. And the average cost to hold a detainee for a longer period is $4.50 per person, per day. ICE is also responsible for paying any medical expenses associated with the hold. It’s a small cost to pay for the safety of the public.
Second, enforcement of traffic laws:
FICTION : Latinos are targeted by motor vehicle stop and search.
FACT : Our Board of Supervisors, as well as the residents that we serve, have repeatedly requested increased traffic enforcement. Motor vehicle stops are only made by patrol deputies if violations are observed. We have increased these efforts countywide, especially in eastern Loudoun with the most traffic. The result is greater public safety.
FICTION : The number of vehicle stops, searches and arrests should reflect the demographic groups. This indicates profiling if not.
FACT : We place our deputies in areas with the highest crime and calls for service. Eastern Loudoun is a diverse and densely populated area, with high traffic, crashes and calls for service. We therefore deploy more deputies in this region. It is not a case of profiling. Serious crime in eastern Loudoun has decreased by 30% in the first three months of this year.
FICTION : The LCSO stops and searches vehicles based upon immigration status.
FACT Vehicles are searched and stopped for a reason, not immigration status. The search of a vehicle can be done for three reasons. There is probable cause to suspect criminal activity, as part of an investigation following an arrest or if the person has consented.
FICTION Residents of eastern Loudoun are complaining about traffic enforcement.
FACT : The LCSO received very few complaints regarding traffic enforcement and crime reduction, the majority of which were orchestrated by people with political agendas that are in opposition to public safety.
Third, transparency:
FICTION : The LCSO does not release information that is transparent.
FACT The LCSO has a high level of transparency. We provide information to the public in accordance with Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act and the Code of Virginia. This is done in coordination with Loudoun County attorney. You can request information about detainers or warrants issued by other law enforcement agencies in relation to persons arrested on local charges within Loudoun.
