“Chief (Jonathan) Fontneau and the Stamford Police Department are doing an excellent job in stopping, preventing and responding to crime,” Director of Public Safety, Health and Wellness Ted Jankowski said in a statement. “Because of the dedication and professionalism of the members of the Stamford Police Department, the City of Stamford continues to be one of the safest city in the nation and a great place to live.”
“That just doesn’t happen,” Mayor Michael Pavia said, adding that his administration has supported the police department with all of its endeavors.
The Police Department has been able to reduce crime, while it has gone up nationally, by being proactive, having officers committed to their jobs, and taking pride in knowing the community, Pavia said. The work of the department has also been critical in attracting people and businesses to the city, he said.
Stamford was the 15th safest in the country in 2011, but after crime dropped 4.6 percent in 2012, the ranking improved. Violent crime went down 9.8 percent and property crime dropped 3.6 percent.
“We’re not close to being done,” Fontneau said, adding that the department will continue to do proactive work with businesses and schools in the city to reduce crime. “We are trying to resolve issues before they become problems."
Violent crimes include murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault, according to the FBI. Property crimes include burglary, larceny/theft and motor vehicle theft.
Edison Township in New Jersey was the only city with less crime than Stamford in the Northeast. The following cities had less crime nationwide:
? Cary, N.C.
? Naperville, Ill.
? Centennial, Colo.
? Thousand Oaks, Calif.
? Irvine, Calif.
? Edison Township, N.J.
? Simi Valley, Calif.
? Murrieta, Calif.
? Glendale, Calif.
? Santa Clarita, Calif.
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