FBI Director Kash Patel and Rep. Jen Kiggans met with local, state and federal law enforcement officials in Hampton Roads on Thursday to discuss recruitment, technology, violent extremism, cybercrime and strategies to bolster coordination between agencies.
National trends and local implications
The gathering, described by Kiggans’ office as a panel and fireside discussion, focused on operational challenges facing police and investigators across the region. Officials said those challenges include maintaining staffing levels, adapting to new technologies such as unmanned aircraft systems and artificial intelligence tools, addressing violent extremism and expanding efforts to combat fraud and cybercrime.
In his remarks, Patel highlighted recent national crime figures and framed them as evidence of progress in public safety while stressing the importance of continued partnership between federal and local authorities. He credited joint efforts for reductions in violent crime metrics and pointed to improvements he described as historic.
“This FBI is proud to serve alongside our tremendous law enforcement partners in Hampton Roads to protect Virginia communities every single day,” Patel said, adding the nation had seen significant reductions in violent crime.
Statistics cited at the event
The officials at the event cited several broad indicators they said reflected declines in violent crime and increased enforcement activity. Those figures included:
- 20% drop in the nationwide murder rate, described as the largest decrease since 1937
- 1.1 million fewer violent crimes reported in 2025 compared with a prior period
- 90% increase in arrests of violent offenders
- An almost 10% decline in crime in Virginia since 2024
Event organizers said the officials also discussed lessons from recent mass-casualty incidents in the region and the need to prepare for emerging threats before a crisis occurs.
| Metric | Figure cited at event |
|---|---|
| Nationwide murder rate change | 20% decrease |
| Violent crimes fewer in 2025 | 1.1 million |
| Increase in violent criminal arrests | 90% |
| Virginia crime change since 2024 | ~10% decrease |
Coordination, resources and operational concerns
Speakers emphasized strengthening intelligence sharing, investigative resources and operational support for local agencies. Kiggans said the discussion provided an opportunity for frontline officers to relay their needs directly to federal partners.
“Keeping our communities safe requires strong partnerships at every level of government, and I was grateful to bring Director Patel together with the men and women who protect Hampton Roads every day,” Kiggans said.
Panel participants identified a range of priorities, including:
- Improving recruitment and retention in police departments;
- Expanding federal support for complex investigations involving technology and cross-jurisdictional crime;
- Preparing for and responding to mass-casualty events and threats of violent extremism;
- Strengthening defenses and responses to fraud and cyber intrusions.
Officials described the meeting as part of ongoing efforts to enhance collaboration among agencies at all levels and to ensure that federal resources align with the needs of local law enforcement.
While participants pointed to the crime figures discussed as positive indicators, they stressed that confronting evolving criminal tactics, especially those involving technology, requires sustained cooperation, training and investment.
The event brought together regional law enforcement leaders and emphasized both the operational demands on local agencies and the role federal partners can play in investigations, intelligence sharing and resource provision.
