Hillcrest Heights, MD Crime Map
Explore crime rates, safest neighborhoods, and detailed crime statistics
What the Last 90 Days of Crime Data Tell Us About Hillcrest Heights
Between January and March 2026, Hillcrest Heights recorded 155 reported incidents — and the breakdown reveals a community where property crime is the defining challenge. Theft alone accounts for 72% of all incidents (112 cases), making it by far the most common crime type. The most recent theft was logged on March 10, 2026, underscoring that this is an active and ongoing concern, not a historical footnote.
Burglary is the second most frequent category at 12% of incidents (18 cases), with the latest reported on March 11, 2026. Together, theft and burglary represent 84% of all crime activity in the area — a clear signal that property security is the top priority for residents and renters alike.
Beyond property crime, the data shows 12 arrests (8%), 9 assaults (6%), 2 robberies (1%), 1 arson incident (1%), and 1 vandalism report (1%). The assault figure, while a small share of total incidents, is worth monitoring; the most recent assault was recorded on March 7, 2026. The single arson incident — logged on March 10, 2026 — is statistically rare but notable given the community's density of approximately 2,561 residents per square mile.
Hillcrest Heights Crime Grade: D
Hillcrest Heights receives an overall crime grade of D for 2026. This grade reflects a crime environment that is more active than most comparable suburban communities in Prince George's County. With a population of roughly 16,498 and an unemployment rate of 9.5% — above regional averages — the socioeconomic pressures that often correlate with elevated property crime are present here. The poverty rate of 8.3% adds additional context, though it is important to note that crime is shaped by many overlapping factors beyond income alone.
A D grade does not mean danger is around every corner, but it does mean residents should approach property security with real intention. Homes in areas closer to higher-traffic corridors tend to see more theft and burglary activity, while quieter residential pockets near Capitol Heights and Forestville borders have historically reported fewer incidents.
Breaking Down Crime by Type: What Residents Should Know
- Theft (72%, 112 incidents): The dominant crime category. Targets typically include vehicles, packages, and unsecured personal property. Active as recently as March 10, 2026.
- Burglary (12%, 18 incidents): Residential and commercial break-ins are the second-largest concern. The March 11 incident is among the most recent in the dataset.
- Arrests (8%, 12 incidents): Law enforcement activity is present and ongoing, suggesting active policing in the area.
- Assault (6%, 9 incidents): A smaller but meaningful share. Most recent: March 7, 2026.
- Robbery, Arson, Vandalism (combined 3%, 4 incidents): Individually rare in this 90-day window, though arson and robbery carry higher severity when they do occur.
Using the Hillcrest Heights Crime Map Effectively
The interactive crime map on this page lets you filter by incident type, date range, and location. Given that theft and burglary together account for 84% of recent activity, filtering for those two categories will give you the most actionable picture of where property crime is concentrated. You can also cross-reference incident clusters with neighborhood boundaries — areas near Capitol Heights and the Forestville corridor appear in the data with some regularity.
For official reports and real-time updates, the Prince George's County Police Department maintains a public crime data portal. Combining that resource with this map gives you the most complete view of safety conditions in Hillcrest Heights.
Practical Safety Steps Given the Data
- Prioritize theft prevention: With 72% of incidents being theft, securing vehicles, locking doors, and using porch cameras addresses the single largest risk category.
- Burglary-proof your home: Reinforce entry points, use timed interior lighting, and coordinate with neighbors — burglary at 12% is a real secondary risk.
- Stay map-aware: Use the date filter to check for incident clusters in your immediate block or neighborhood section before making decisions about parking, routines, or property upgrades.
- Report promptly: The 12 arrests in this period suggest police are responsive. Timely reporting of suspicious activity contributes directly to that enforcement presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Hillcrest Heights, MD Crime (2026)
What is Hillcrest Heights' crime grade for 2026?
Hillcrest Heights earns an overall crime grade of D for 2026. This reflects a higher-than-average crime environment relative to comparable suburban communities in the region. The grade is driven primarily by a high volume of property crime — theft and burglary together account for 84% of the 155 incidents recorded in the most recent 90-day window.
What types of crime are most common in Hillcrest Heights right now?
Theft is overwhelmingly the most common crime, making up 72% of all recent incidents (112 out of 155). Burglary follows at 12% (18 incidents). Assaults represent 6% of reports, while robbery, arson, and vandalism each account for roughly 1%. If you are a resident focused on personal safety planning, property crime — particularly theft — is the category most likely to affect daily life.
Is Hillcrest Heights safe to live in?
Hillcrest Heights offers genuine community value — affordable housing with a median home value around $252,439, a median household income of $66,463, and proximity to the Washington, D.C. metro area. However, the D crime grade and 155 incidents in 90 days indicate that safety requires active effort rather than passive assumption. Residents in quieter sections near the Capitol Heights and Forestville borders tend to report a calmer experience, while higher-traffic corridors see more property crime activity. Practicing consistent property security habits makes a meaningful difference here.
How does unemployment affect crime in Hillcrest Heights?
Hillcrest Heights has an unemployment rate of 9.5% and a poverty rate of 8.3%, both of which are above typical suburban benchmarks. Research consistently links economic stress to elevated property crime rates — and the local data reflects that pattern, with theft and burglary dominating the incident log. This does not mean every economically stressed neighborhood has high crime, but it does help explain why Hillcrest Heights' crime grade sits at a D while neighboring communities with lower unemployment may score higher.
Which parts of Hillcrest Heights tend to have fewer incidents?
Based on incident patterns visible in the crime map, residential pockets closer to the Capitol Heights boundary and quieter interior streets away from major commercial corridors tend to show lower incident density. Areas with active neighborhood watch participation and well-maintained properties also correlate with fewer reported thefts and burglaries. Using the map's neighborhood filter is the best way to assess your specific block or street.
How recent is the crime data on this map?
The crime data displayed reflects incidents from the last 90 days, with the most recent entries dated as late as March 11, 2026 (burglary) and March 10, 2026 (theft and arson). The map is updated regularly to reflect new reports from local law enforcement. For the most current incident-level data, you can also check the Prince George's County Police Department's official portal.
What should I do if I witness a crime in Hillcrest Heights?
Contact the Prince George's County Police Department immediately for emergencies by calling 911. For non-emergency reports, use their non-emergency line or the online reporting portal at the Prince George's County Police website. Timely reporting helps law enforcement identify patterns — the 12 arrests recorded in the last 90 days suggest that active reporting does lead to enforcement outcomes in this community.