Annual Ranking: Brick, NJ Safest US City
Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 6:57 pm
Quote »Annual ranking: Brick is safest U.S. cityTHE ASSOCIATED PRESSWhen it comes to the most dangerous and safest cities in America, New Jersey has two reasons to celebrate: Camden is no longer the most dangerous, and Brick is considered the nation's safest, according to an analysis by Morgan Quitno Press.On the list — involving 371 municipalities with populations of 75,000 or more, ranked from safest to least safe — Brick was followed by Amherst, N.Y., and Mission Viejo, Calif. At the other end of the list, the most dangerous city was St. Louis, followed by Detroit; Flint, Mich.; and Compton, Calif., with Camden now in fifth place.Last year, Camden had been named the most dangerous city for the second year in a row.Dover Township in Ocean County was 14th-safest on the list.Brick Mayor Joseph C. Scarpelli called his township's ranking "overwhelming." "We have worked hard in making safety the number one priority in my administration," Scarpelli said. He said the "secret to success" is having officers who are "well trained and always trying to make themselves better."Since the rankings first came out, Brick has always been among the top 10 safest towns in the nation, but this marks the first time at No. 1, the mayor said. Scarpelli said it is a never-ending process to keep people in the community safe, and issues include terrorism and gangs.Scott Morgan, president of Morgan Quitno, a private research and publishing company specializing in state and city reference books, said Brick's "safety record is impressive, with no murders or rapes reported. Brick also boasts the lowest overall violent crime and robbery rates among cities across the nation."Meanwhile, Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison said Sunday she was thrilled to learn that her city no longer topped the rankings."You made my day!" she said. "There's a new hope and a new spirit."Press staff writer Lauren O. Kidd contributed to this story.Source: http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.d.../1007