Study: Poway among 50 safest cities in state

A new study has concluded that Poway ranks among the top 50 safest cities in California.

Poway placed 26th on the list compiled by SafeWise, a community-focused safety organization committed to increasing home and community safety, education, awareness, and preparedness. The group’s report, covering 2014 crime statistics in cities of over 10,000 in population, concluded that for every 1,000 residents in Poway, the community experiences 1.82 violent crimes and 11.62 property crimes.

Poway was the only San Diego County city to make the Top 50 list. Hillsborough, located about 15 miles south San Francisco, was No. 1 on the list, with zero violent crimes and 5.06 property crimes per 1,000 population.

Mayor Steve Vaus said “It’s no surprise that Poway continues to be the safest city in the county and that we’re among the 50 safest cities in the state. We are exceptionally well-served by the Sheriff’s Department and by a tireless team of volunteers on our Senior Patrol. Public safety has always been, and always will be, our top priority.”

The SafeWise numbers are a little higher than ones kept by the San Diego Association of Governments. That agency listed Poway as having 1.43 violent crimes and 8.90 violent crimes per 1,000 population.

The SafeWise report can be found at www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-California-2015.