Study Again Ranks Greenwich America's Safest Community

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich has again been named America's Safest City, according to a the latest report by the home security company SafeHome.org. Only communities with populations above 50,000 were considered for the report.

The town's wealth and proximity to New York City contribute to its desirability, and First Selectman Peter Tesei told Patch that keeping the town safe remains a top priority.

"With Greenwich earning the 'Safest City' in the country designation again illustrates that the proactive outreach and community policing efforts of the Greenwich Police Department continue to yield positive results," said Tesei. "As the statistics indicate, there has been a precipitous drop in the number of crimes reported. Life safety has been one of the cornerstones of my administration for the past 11 years and this designation by SafeHome.org just shows that Greenwich is a premier place to live, work and raise a family."

According to SafeHome, the number of violent crimes in Greenwich has dropped 39.1 percent in recent years, based on statistics provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Additionally, the number of property crimes in Greenwich has dropped 14.4 percent.

"We look at several different factors when assigning a Safety Score to a city," writes SafeHome. To view the report's methodology, click here. "First and foremost is the FBI’s latest report of how many and what types of crimes occurred in each city over a single year. The city’s crime trends are also considered; in other words, cities where crime is on the decline are given a higher Safety Score and vice-versa. We also look at the number of law enforcement officers compared to the population."

In a statement to Patch, Greenwich Police Chief James Heavey said the honor of being named the nation's safest city is truly a community effort.

"The distinction of the Safest City in America is a reflection of the community’s effort as a whole to make Greenwich a great place to live and work," Heavey said. "Being a good neighbor truly makes a difference, if you see something, say something is not just a catchphrase it’s part of our community's character to look after one another. Keeping Greenwich safe, would not be possible without the efforts of all the members of the department, sworn officers and civilians and our many community partners and I am grateful for this recognition of their efforts."

Greenwich was the only Connecticut community ranked in the top 50 nationally, according to SafeHome. Fairfield was ranked 65th nationally, West Haven 70th, and Stamford 71st.

"Not only is Greenwich the safest city in the nation, but it is also the wealthiest city in the state of Connecticut," stated SafeHome. "Its proximity to New York City makes it a desirable city to live in for commuters, where their families can be safe."

Click here to read the full report on SafeHome.org.

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