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This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

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9 Things We Know About Irvine, America's Safest City

irvine-city-hall.jpg
Photo via City of Irvine on Facebook

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Congratulations, Irvine! The Orange County city has once again been named the Safest City in the nation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This is the eighth consecutive year Irvine has been at the top of the list of cities with a population of over 100,000 residents.

The ranking comes from the FBI's release of their national Part 1 crime data for 2011, which covers murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, auto theft and arson. Irvine's violent crime rate remained virtually unchanged in 2011, and in that year and the one prior, went down on record as the lowest in the city's history.

Naturally, they're pretty stoked in Irvine:

"This is history-making”, said Mayor Sukhee Kang. “Eight straight years as the country’s Safest City is truly something to celebrate. It is the culmination of City Council initiative, our Public Safety Department’s efforts, and our caring citizens. This kind of track record may sound redundant, but public safety is a commitment we do not take lightly. The well-being of our community is the cornerstone of our success."

We don't spend a lot of time in Irvine, but we do know a few things that have gone down there in the past year or so. In honor of the momentous occasion, we've compiled a list of things we know about Irvine:

1. It's home to a Guinness World Record-making gigantic Mayan pyramid made of chocolate.
2. Your (kids') teacher might sext you pics of him naked, and ask for some in return.
3. It is the most "fashionable" city in America, too! Work it!
4. Occasionally, a bobcat might show up on your balcony.
5. There's a ban on the retail sale of cats and dogs.
6. Someone might ring your doorbell there and announce "I want to rape your wife."
7. Your cashier at Chick-fil-A might give you a racist nickname on your receipt.
8. They host UFO Conferences
9. It's hard out there for a real estate blogger.

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