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Report: Irvine is safest large city in the nation
Preliminary FBI stats mark the lowest per capita Part 1 Crime rate in area's history.
By Kristen SchottPublished: May 24, 2010 11:07 AM
Irvine is the safest large city in the nation, according to preliminary data released by the FBI. The stats also mark the lowest per capita Part 1 Crime rate in the city's history.
The ranking comes on the heels of a recent report by the state's Justice Department, which also named Irvine the safest large city in California.
The FBI's annual report measures Part 1 Crime among cities with populations of more than 100,000. Part 1 data covers violent offenses such as homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault; and property crimes, which include burglary, larceny-theft and motor-vehicle theft. Arson, also a property crime, is not included in the totals, according to the FBI.
Despite an overall uptick in violent offenses, this is the sixth straight year Irvine achieved the lowest per capita rate of such crimes among the nation's large cities. There were 151 violent offenses in the city last year, compared to 129 in 2008.
The increase stems from the fact that 2008 marked a "historic low in the city's history for violent crimes," according to Lt. John Hare. He said the city's numbers are on par with the violent crime data for the last five years.
Meanwhile, property crimes decreased: There were 2,986 offenses in the period, down from 3,211 in 2008. Additionally, the city's overall Part 1 Crime rate fell 6 percent in 2009, compared to the prior year.
“Being safe means being engaged as a community," said Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang. "This is an achievement that can be shared by all of our residents."
Other local areas, such as Anaheim, saw a decline in violent and property crimes, compared to 2008. The city's law enforcement officials reported 1,184 violent charges last year, compared to 1,312 in 2008. Property crimes fell to 7,993, down from 8,331.
Costa Mesa and Orange also saw a decline in property crimes and violent offenses. Huntington Beach reported a drop in the number of violent charges, though it saw a greater number of property crimes.
The number of violent charges remained at 1,726 in Santa Ana, though property crimes dropped to 6,798, down from 6,980 in 2008.
Nationwide, overall violent and property crimes also declined in 2009.
Related headlines
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OC METRO, April issue: 'Sinking the state'
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The ranking comes on the heels of a recent report by the state's Justice Department, which also named Irvine the safest large city in California. The FBI's annual report measures Part 1 Crime among cities with populations of more than 100,000. Part 1 data covers violent offenses such as homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault; and property crimes, which include burglary, larceny-theft and motor-vehicle theft. Arson, also a property crime, is not included in the totals, according to the FBI. Despite an overall uptick in violent offenses, this is the sixth straight year Irvine achieved the lowest per capita rate of such crimes among the nation's large cities. There were 151 violent offenses in the city last year, compared to 129 in 2008. The increase stems from the fact that 2008 marked a "historic low in the city's history for violent crimes," according to Lt. John Hare. He said the city's numbers are on par with the violent crime data for the last five years. Meanwhile, property crimes decreased: There were 2,986 offenses in the period, down from 3,211 in 2008. Additionally, the city's overall Part 1 Crime rate fell 6 percent in 2009, compared to the prior year. “Being safe means being engaged as a community," said Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang. "This is an achievement that can be shared by all of our residents." Other local areas, such as Anaheim, saw a decline in violent and property crimes, compared to 2008. The city's law enforcement officials reported 1,184 violent charges last year, compared to 1,312 in 2008. Property crimes fell to 7,993, down from 8,331. Costa Mesa and Orange also saw a decline in property crimes and violent offenses. Huntington Beach reported a drop in the number of violent charges, though it saw a greater number of property crimes. The number of violent charges remained at 1,726 in Santa Ana, though property crimes dropped to 6,798, down from 6,980 in 2008. Nationwide, overall violent and property crimes also declined in 2009. Related headlines Irvine Public Schools Foundation ramps up for fundraising events Hyundai's 2010 Genesis earns Top Safety Pick OC METRO, April issue: 'Sinking the state' |
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