Crime rates in Madison County match most rural counties.  Homicides and other violent crimes are rare.  The majority of crimes involve theft or domestic violence, and many involve substance abuse.  Madison County, just like other Ohio counties has a drug problem.  

Crime rates for counties are assigned by a grading system indicating your chances of being a victim.  A means very low.  B+ lower than most counties.  B Low.

In Madison County, violent crime (homicide, sexual crimes, assault, armed robbery) is rated A.  Property Crime (Theft, Vehicle Theft, Burglary, Arson) is rated B+, Other Crime (Vandalism, Drugs, Identity Theft, Kidnapping in custody disputes, and Animal Cruelty) is rated B.  

Most of Madison county is safe.  The most likely areas for crime are London downton, London north along U.S. 42, West Jefferson and Choctaw Lake.  The rate for violent crime is 2.255 crimes per each 1000 residents. The crime rate along U.S. 42 between highways 40 and 29 is the highest in the county.

In 2018, two men were killed in an apartment shootout in London and one in West Jefferson, drug related.  In 2021 four people were murdered at an apartment in West Jefferson, also drug related. In 2022, a woman was murdered in South Solon by a Madison County man. In 2023, a 17 year old teenager murdered a man in London. There was a meth lab shutdown near Plumwood.  Unfortunately Ohio ranks high in U.S. seized Meth labs.  Methamphetamine and Fentanyl use is a major problem in the county. In 2024, one of the largest drug raids in Ohio history  was made on I-70 in both Madison and Clark counties on commercial vehicles carrying over $14.6 million dollars of meth, marijuana and cocaine and over $935,000 in cash. 

Sound Advice:  Always be aware of your surroundings. At night avoid walking in dark unprotected areas. “If you don’t want to be eaten by alligators, stay out of the swamp.”  If an establishment has a reputation for crime, stay away.  If you need one, use a designated driver.

Ways to prevent being a victim of theft:  

Vehicle.  Some models are more likely to be stolen.  If you can, use your garage.  If the vehicle most be on the street, invest in a wheel-lock and a car-alarm.  

Household.  Lock your doors. Use an alarm company that will furnish a sign for you to post in front of your house.  This sign will deter thieves.  If you are going to be away for evening hours leave a light or two turned in your house and also use external lights. If going to be away for a week or more, stop mail delivery and leave a light on in the house. If you own something very expensive, don’t brag about it at a party, and don’t post pictures of it on Facebook.  

Identity Theft.  Use a password generator app.  Never use your name, your birthdate or any password that could identify you. If you should get hacked, immediately change passwords for banks, credit cards, auto-pay, etc.  I have a separate credit card that I use for any overseas transaction.  I keep it in a locked status.  I unlock it for the transaction.  As soon as the transaction posts, I immediately relock it.  Also use an app to record financial applications.  There are some very good ones such as Quicken, Sage, Freshbooks and Monarch.  I am a little OCD, I check transactions daily for my bank and credit cards accounts.  If I am hacked, I can spot it immediately and take the necessary corrective action.