Governor Morrisey announces major decline in crime, overdose deaths across West Virginia

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced significant declines in violent crime, property crime and drug overdose deaths across West Virginia. 'Nothing matters more to me than you and your family's safety,' said Governor Morrisey. 'In West Virginia, we're taking an aggressive approach to protect your loved ones: crime down, enforcement up. We're fighting the drug crisis on every front, and we're seeing real results.' In 2025, reported violent crime fell from 4,310 offenses to 4,070 statewide. That put West Virginia's rate 31% below the national average. Reported property crime fell from 19,289 offenses to 16,685. Drug overdose deaths dropped 12%, representing 99 fewer deaths. Morrisey has combined prevention and recovery efforts with stronger laws and enforcement aimed at removing deadly drugs and violent criminals from West Virginia streets. In April 2025, Morrisey signed Lauren's Law, establishing mandatory minimum sentences for transporting fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine into West Virginia, creating new drug kingpin and delivery-resulting-in-death offenses, and increasing penalties for serious drug crimes.