Mission Viejo was ranked as the safest city in the state – again – and as the third safest city in the nation, according to CQ Press, which released the report Wednesday. The city’s ranking is listed in the annual “City Crime Rankings 2011-2012: Crime in Metropolitan America,” using FBI statistics. The score is significant for this safe city, which was ranked as the fourth safest in the nation last year.
Mission Viejo was ranked among 400 other cities nationwide with a population of 75,000 or more. The crime rankings are based on per-capita rates for murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft. The city received an 82.85 score out of 100 – a score that would have placed Mission Viejo as the number-one safest city in the country in prior-year rankings.
“Last year’s score was 79.7, and we moved up in the national rankings,” said Lt. Mike Gavin, chief of Police Services. “That increased score means we have a safer community because there is less crime.”
Mission Viejo is regularly named the safest city in California.
“Public safety has long been a hallmark of our city’s agenda,” said Mayor Dave Leckness. “We have proactive city leaders, Police Services and active and involved citizens that truly help to keep our community safe.”
See the crime ranking report here.