The Newton Patch just reported that a new list of Safest Cities in Massachusetts ranks Newton at 39. Here’s the article The methodology used can be found by scrolling to the bottom of the article. Using FBI Crime Report statistics along with “their own population data and their own internal research”, they ranked based on number of reported violent crimes and property crimes per 1000 people. Thoughts?
We’re No. 39?
by Amy Sangiolo | Feb 28, 2018 | Newton | 10 comments
Newton stands out in the list for its comparatively large population. The next largest town to rank ahead of Newton is #28 Arlington (45K or half the size). No other listed cities break 80K until Somerville, at #116.
So, I’d say we’re doing OK.
I always get my news and statistical analysis from alarms.org. Their “internal research” and arbitrary weighting system is the special sauce that makes this analysis so valuable. And coincidentally, this study makes me want to rush out and buy a home alarm system from one of their members! In the meantime, I’ll be pushing the couch up against the door each night.
Newton is the #1 safest city in the Commonwealth, according to this study. Mistakenly, the authors compared City of Newton with 89,000 residents to smaller towns with an average of 10,000-20,000 residents. It is a case of apples and oranges. That means that Newton is safer than all major cities including Boston, Cambridge, Worcester, New Bedford, Springfield and smaller cities such as Lowell, Brockton, Quincy. Kudos to the terrific Newton Police Department.
Newton is the #1 safest city in the Commonwealth, according to this study. The municipalities ahead of Newton are smaller towns with an average population of 10,000-20,000 residents. Behind Newton are cities including Lowell (#141), Cambridge (#144), Lawrence (#155), Boston (#159), Brockton (#166), Worcester (#167) Worcester (#167), New Bedford (#168) and Springfield (#169). Kudos to the Newton Police Department
Lowell is actually larger than Newton with approximately 120,000 population. If my memory doesn’t deceive me from my decades in Lowell working for the Community Action Agency, in the 1990 or 2000 census, Lowell and Newton had approximately the same population. Since then, Lowell has grown by approximately 20,000 residents while Newton’s population has grown only slightly despite major new residential development. Perhaps this is due to the smaller lots in much of Lowell and the larger number of multi-family homes in the Spindle City.
Marginally off-topic here but I just wanted to say how excited I am to have former City Councilor Sangiolo blogging on Village 14.
I know she will be a great addition!
Seems odd to compared cities with small towns and “bedroom communities”. I find this study lacking in real insight
With such low crime rates, every single incident can drop a community many places down in the ranking, so I wouldn’t view this as especially negative news. An immediate suburb of a major city is obviously different from a remote rural community.
That said, I’m a bit surprised that about two property crimes are reported in Newton on an average day.
Newtoner My bike was stolen from my side door stoop mid afternoon while we were home! Our neighbor saw it. We jumped in the car, tracked them down, cornered them against the NCSC building took back our bike and had them arrested. Kids from another town who were at an event at Fessenden School.
The renowned Aneki Research Institute has found that Newton is the safest city in America:
http://www.aneki.com/safest_cities_america.html