This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Compton ranked 8th most dangerous city nationally
Compton was ranked as the nation's eighth most dangerous city, but three in Orange County - Mission Viejo, Lake Forest and Irvine - ranked in the top 10 safest cities, according to a report released today.
The latest edition of City Crime Rankings is one of five annual reference works published by CQ Press that analyze and rank states and cities in various categories.
The top 10 "safest cities" were listed as: Colonie, N.Y.; O'Fallon, Mo.; Ramapo, N.Y.; Mission Viejo; Clarkstown, N.Y.; Amherst, N.Y.; Lake Forest; Cary, N.C.; Newton, Mass.; and Irvine. The top 10 "most dangerous cities" were listed as: St. Louis, Mo.; Camden, N.J.; Detroit; Flint, Mich.; Oakland; Richmond, Calif.; Cleveland; Compton; Gary, Ind.; and Birmingham, Ala.
On the "safe city" list, which covered about 400 cities, Los Angeles ranked 243rd; while Long Beach ranked 263rd; Santa Monica 148th; Burbank 94th; Glendale 34th; Pasadena 111th; Anaheim 121st; Santa Ana 205th, and Newport Beach 31st.
The crime rankings are calculated using six crime categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft. The rankings include all cities of at least 75,000 residents that reported crime data to the FBI in the six categories for calendar year 2009.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
