Replies

1. Hibbing, Minnesota

As Robert Zimmerman (aka Bob Dylan) wrote in 1963, “Hibbing’s a good ol’ town.” Hibbing’s most famous former resident was on to something. The city boasts a Community Liaison Officer dedicated to community policing and a variety of programs that focus on effective drug and alcohol enforcement, helping it become SafeWise’s “Safest City in America” for 2015.

Population: 16,267

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.25

Property Crimes per 1,000: 0.37

Source: Smallbones

2. Upper Providence Township, Pennsylvania

Located in Delaware County, Upper Providence Township is a prosperous and engaged community. The Upper Providence Environmental Commission keeps this suburb’s image squeaky clean by organizing annual clean-up activities, putting on gardening workshops, and providing free informational material about green living.

Population: 10,310

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.19

Property Crimes per 1,000: 2.24

Source: Smallbones

3. Zionsville, Indiana

Just north of Indianapolis, this suburb with a village-style downtown integrates safety into the fiber of the community. All Zionsville Community Schools have certified School Safety Specialists and implement customized school safety plans, which help to protect Zionsville’s children.

Population: 24,433

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.08

Property Crimes per 1,000: 2.57

4. Ridgefield, Connecticut

Secluded in Southern Connecticut, this tony community with a colonial past prioritizes safety. The city’s police hold an annual Halloween party and have developed programs like “G.R.A.D.D.” (Government of Ridgefield against Drunk Driving) in order to tackle substance abuse and other safety-related issues.

Population: 25,168

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.00

Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.02

Source: Don Williams, GFDL

5. South Park Township, Pennsylvania

This other South Park—not to be confused with the famous cartoon show—is named after a park that makes up a large portion of town. The South Park Police Department encourages residents to reach out to its officers by, among other things, emailing the current police chief with any concerns or questions.

Population: 13,528

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.59

Property Crimes per 1,000: 2.88

Source: Lee Paxton, GFDL

6. Wayland, Massachusetts

West of Boston, Wayland was home to the first public library in the State of Massachusetts. Wayland has continued on in that spirit of knowledge, and today enjoys a series of free fire education programs, including a preschool program, a babysitting course, and a citizen’s fire academy.

Population: 13,411

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.37

Property Crimes per 1,000: 0.3.13

Source: John Phelan, CC 3.0

7. Norfolk, Massachusetts

Norfolk’s colonial ancestors lodged George Washington and other revolutionaries at a local tavern in 1776. In 2013, 237 years after the brutal violence of those vaunted battles, Norfolk reported no violent crimes, including murders or rapes.

Population: 11,663

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.00

Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.52

Source: John Phelan, CC 3.0

8. Lindenhurst, Illinois

Between Chicago and Milwaukee, this village’s motto is “Developing Today for Tomorrow.” Community policing initiatives—including the “House Watch Program,” in which officers routinely check on homes while residents are away—have played an important role in Lindenhurst’s future planning and safety.

Population: 14,470

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.28

Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.32

Source: Lindenhurstil.org

9. Clinton, Massachusetts

This small, yet active, city lays claim to the oldest continuously-used baseball field in the world. But sports aren’t the only activity going on in Clinton. The city “hits for the cycle” by maintaining offerings like early childhood education, adult education and enrichment, and English language learning courses.

Population: 13,721

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.73

Property Crimes per 1,000: 2.91

10. Weston, Connecticut

An affluent community in Southern Connecticut, Weston puts its money where its mouth is. The city employs technologically-advanced policing features, such as computer forensics and a communication center that can reach thousands of residents in mere seconds during emergencies.

Population: 10,402

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.09

Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.55

11. Lake in the Hills, Illinois

Lake in the Hills is one of the most rapidly growing suburbs in the Chicago area. As the village has grown, its police have fostered relationships with government and developers by instituting “Crime Prevention through Environmental Design,” in which certified officers give feedback during the building process.

Population: 29,133

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.51

Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.19

Source: Lith.org

12. Brookings, South Dakota

Near the eastern border of South Dakota, Brookings is home to South Dakota State University—the largest institution of higher education in the state. SDSU has formed a Behavioral Intervention Team that works to de-escalate potential threats to the community incidental, in part, to town-gown relations.

Population: 22,741

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.40

Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.39

Source: Jon Platek, CC 3.0

13. Darien, Connecticut

A prominent city on Connecticut’s “Gold Coast,” Darien is home to a multitude of private clubs, including the 100-year-old Ox Ridge Hunt Club. In order to preserve the peace in this exclusive community, police publicly track crime and offer scam tips on their website for concerned residents.

Population: 21,229

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.909

Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.76

Source: Doug Kerr, CC 2.0

14. Chatham Township, New Jersey

This sleepy community, located in Morris County near the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, has devoted significant resources to community policing. The police department has created “10 Community Policing Districts” with trained officers who routinely offer outreach services in each district.

Population: 10,681

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.00

Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.93

Source: Daniel Case, CC 3.0

15. Washington Township, New Jersey

Right next door to Chatham in Morris County, Washington Township takes a holistic approach to public health and safety. Not only does the city’s health department offer a variety of free services, but residents cultivate community gardens throughout the city, taking preventative measures against crime.

Population: 18,782

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.11

Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.83

Source: Courierpostonline.com

16. Duxbury, Massachusetts

Just north of historic Plymouth, this quiet coastal community is still within commuting distance to Boston. But tranquility and convenience are only part of Duxbury’s story. The city also saw a decrease in violent crime and property crime last year, increasing public safety in this perennial “Safest City.”

Population: 15,244

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.13

Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.87

Source: Ruth W. Demby, GFDL

17. Campton Hills, Illinois

West of Chicago, Campton Hills is peppered with historic farms and green spaces. The village has recently set in motion an Open Space Initiative aimed at getting residents to better use public lands, catering especially to kids through the national grassroots initiative “Leave No Child Inside.”

Population: 11,327

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.00

Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.15

Source: Villageofcantonhills.org

18. Sharon, Massachusetts

This Boston suburb is known for its scenic trails and dedication to conservation. Safety and community planning go hand-in-hand through the city Conservation Committee, which also involves the community in the allocation of resources like tranquil Lake Massapoag and the surrounding wetlands.

Population: 17,935

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.06

Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.24

19. Whitehall, Pennsylvania

Right next door to Allentown, Whitehall originated as a hunting reserve. Safety in this leafy suburb begins with a considerable body of community-based programs like “PREMISE ALERT” and neighborhood watch-like programs that provide services such as self-defense courses.

Population: 13,936

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.79

Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.59

20. Poland Township, Ohio

Outside of Youngstown, this historic town claims the only existing one-room, red-brick schoolhouse from the colonial period left in Ohio. Not only does Poland Township take steps to preserve its history, with programs like “Senior Watch Program,” the city protects its aging population.

Population: 12,227

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.25

Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.17

Source: Polandtownship.com

21. Franklin Park, Pennsylvania

A little farther west of Whitehall in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area lies the highly-educated borough of Franklin Park. On top of low crime rates, Franklin Park currently enjoys one of the lowest real estate tax rates in Allegheny County, which also includes the City of Pittsburgh.

Population: 14,027

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.21

Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.20

Source: Lee Paxton, GFDL

22. New Castle Town, New York

Up the Hudson River from New York City, New Castle Town is home to politicians and celebrities escaping the lime light. The town also utilizes technological advances like online filing and the “tip411” app, which allows residents to text message anonymous tips in order to monitor and prevent crime.

Population: 17,864

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.11

Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.31

Source: Town of New Castle, NY Facebook Page,

23. Newtown, Connecticut

After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Newtown was unfortunately thrust into the national spotlight. The families of the 26 murder victims, other affected community members, and our nation will forever be haunted by the events of December 12, 2012. In the ten years previous to the shooting, only one murder was recorded in Newtown. Likewise, our ranking reflects FBI data from 2013, in which very little violent crime occurred in Newtown.

Population: 28,188

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.07

Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.36

Source: Jerry Dougherty, CC 2.5

24. Lower Salford Township, Pennsylvania

In between Philadelphia and Allentown, Lower Salford is steeped in Pennsylvania Dutch traditions like the annual Apple Butter Frolic. Apart from a strong sense of community identity, the city police also work to ensure safety with services like free security surveys of homes and businesses.

Population: 15,319

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.33

Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.11

Source: Doug Kerr, CC 2.0

25. Bergenfield, New Jersey

A small suburban community, Bergenfield boasts a relatively high level of diversity. The city also provides a fair number of youth services like the “Helping Hand Program,” which designates one house on every block as a space where children can seek assistance for sticky situations like bullies and injuries.

Population: 26,880

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.59

Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.87