Crime

Tis the season for robberies. So sad - but oh so true. Recently, one of my co-workers was a victim of a break-in. Apparently they took all of the electronics - tvs, computers, etc. When I asked her was everything going to be okay, she replied, "We are fine. It's just that all of our photos are gone now - from the computer."

Memories captured on film are one of the few things that can never be replaced. It is sad, when these burglars broke into this person's house, they had no idea they were taking some one's memories. I really hate that.

About two months ago, we received a notice on our door that said there had been two armed robberies in our apartment complex. Apparently the robbers were hiding in the bushes, and when some unsuspecting person would exit their car, they would approach them and take their purse or wallet. Petty theft, but terrifying all the same.

The interesting thing is - both my co-worker and I live in what is known as "safe neighborhoods." But what is safe anymore? What cities are the best places to live?

My egyptian and I always discuss one day moving to a bigger metropolis somewhere, and my only concern (as always) is safety & crime. After spending a few years working in a newsroom, I am all too familiar with the horrifying outcomes of crime. I saw images most of you are very lucky to never see.

I decided to take a quick gander at the safest cities to live in and the least safe. Should be interesting!

Top 20 Safest Cities to Live in according to Neighborhood Scout:
1. Jackson, New Jersy
2. Stafford, VA
3. Sewell, NJ
4. Bensalem, PA
5. Louisville, KY
6. Mount Laurel, NJ
7. West Lake, OH
8. Southampton, PA
9. Piscataway, NJ
10. Upper Darby, PA
11. Lutherville Timonium, MD
12. Howell, NJ
13. North Bergen, NJ
14. Bowie, MD
15. Wheeling, WV
16. Chesterfield, VA
17. Gwenn Oak, MD
18. Irwin, PA
19. Trabuco Canyon, CA
20. Barrington, IL

*population 25,000 +

20 Worst Cities for Safety:
1. Edinberg, TX
2. Hot Springs, AR
3. Casa Grande, AZ
4. University, FL
5. Las Vegas, NV
6. Florence, SC
7. St. Louis, MO
8. Atlantic City, NJ
9. Bessemer, AL (ps - that is less than 10 miles from me - it is considered part of Birmingham.)
10. Homestead, FL
11. Miami Beach, FL
12. Monroe, LA
13. Murray, UT
14. West Palm Beach, FL
15. Paris, TX
16. Spartanburg, SC
17. Orlando, FL
18. Athens, GA (home of UGA)
19. Tucson, AZ
20. Mount Vernon, WA

WOW.  My hometown of Macon, GA is #27.

Geez.

If you are interested in seeing more - go to http://neighborhoodscout.com/.

How about you? How safe do you feel in your town?