By Eileen Buckley
Amherst, NY – Amherst continues it's winning streak as the "Safest City in America." For a fourth year in a row, Amherst captured the title in the tenth annual City Crime Rankings.
Amherst has the lowest violent crime rates in the Nation. In seven of the past ten years of the ranking, Amherst checks in as America's Safest City.
The ranking is conducted by Morgan Quitno Press. It examines six violent crime categories - including murder, rape and robbery - in cities with more than 75,000 citizens.
Town Supervisor Susan Grelick said Amherst places a high priority on safety, with 23 percent of its budget devoted to fighting crime.
"We are very proactive about our approach to public safety through training, planning, citizen involvement, and we've purchased the latest equipment," said Grelick. "So, a lot of effort goes into maintaining the title."
Grelick said it is a great feeling to receive the top spot. But she said law enforcement issues don't stop at the borders of Amherst.
Grelick said keeping Amherst as as the safest city helps the Buffalo region.
"When Amherst has a good police department we can help other municipalities," said Grelick. "We have a quality court system, we have a great drug court, as well as a family court, a domestic violence court in town, and that services the entire region, not just Amherst."
Grelick said safety is one of the top reasons why families and businesses move to a particular area.
Placing second in the safest city list was Brick Township, New Jersey, followed by Mission Viejo, California.
The listing also includes the most dangerous cities to live in. Detroit was listed as number one.