Safety rankings of cities and towns with population above 25,000 (Boston: 2014, crime rate)

[masshawk]

Massachusetts: #20 Most Dangerous State 2014 | Law Street (TM)

As with any of these lists, take with a grain of salt. Keep in mind that the ranking is per capita - so some small towns rank as "dangerous" as big cities, even with zero murders and low actual numbers of other crimes. I consider most of these places relatively safe overall, including Boston. Still interesting.

[MikePRU]

Wow! Only two violent crimes in Needham last year. I guess I need to get out and assault some people.

[pennyone]

Yes, wealthier and better educated people generally do not use their physical bodies to do ill. They have more options....

[tribechamy]

Interesting, thank you for sharing. I thought it was interesting to compare Quincy to Randolph - the latter sometimes gets an unfair bad reputation while Quincy is seen as more desirable, yet from the crime statistics you would think the opposite would be true. Those stats are very different.

This also provides another data point on the "why do people still avoid Waltham?" question.

Sad to see so many violent crimes, regardless.

[pennyone]

I think the Quincy/Randolph situation is one of size and scope. While the index is per capita, the fact that Quincy is far bigger (three times) means that Quincy's population is much more diverse. This diversity also brings in the potential for more violent and non-violent crimes. Quincy's population and that of Cambridge are roughly similar in size and their stats are also quite close. Cambridge also has a huge population of well educated and well heeled people living with those of lesser means. I think the diversity is reflected in the numbers for the bigger cities, of which Randolph is not one of.

[CaseyB]

Strange list. Doesn't mention any sources. North Attleborough has a 0 crime rate with no incidents? Then why is it on the list at all?

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

Strange list. Doesn't mention any sources. North Attleborough has a 0 crime rate with no incidents? Then why is it on the list at all?

The data came out before the Aaron Hernandez murder?

Interesting list and very few surprises at the top (thought Lowell might have been higher though). I would also like to see the sources.

[BPt111]

nearby Connecticut It seem New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford has more robberies than all of MA cities with 75,000 or 100,000 expect Boston interesting the population is less. Springfield and Worcester

Connecticut: #33 Most Dangerous State 2014 | Law Street (TM)

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by pennyone

Yes, wealthier and better educated people generally do not use their physical bodies to do ill. They have more options....

If it makes you feel any better we had a murder in town about 5 years ago and then there was another one about 55 years before that.

[pennyone]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

If it makes you feel any better we had a murder in town about 5 years ago and then there was another one about 55 years before that.

Why would that make me feel better or worse? N Attleboro, which is far more affordable in terms of housing prices than Needham, seems even safer according to this index.