The City of Irvine is America’s safest city of its size for the 16th year in a row, according to a Sept.27 report by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The annual uniform crime report that measures for the year 2020, said that Irvine has the lowest reported rate of violent crime per capita out of any city in the nation with a population of 250,000 or higher. It measures Part 1 crime, which includes murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, auto theft, and arson.
Irvine Mayor Farah Khan attributed the major win to the collaboration between city hall, residents, and the police department, which all work together to reduce crimes.
“I am extremely proud that, once again, the men and women of the Irvine Police Department have worked proactively to keep our residents and businesses safe and truly embody working in partnership with the community,” Khan said in a statement.
“The continued partnership of our police department, City Council, residents, and businesses makes Irvine the safest city to live, work, and play.”
Irvine Police Chief Mike Hamel, who has led the department for six years, echoed similar statements to Khan, noting the partnerships that keep the city safe.
“Irvine continues to be a safe community due to the strong partnership between the men and women of the Irvine Police Department, our City leaders who always make public safety a top priority, and our residents and business community,” Hamel said in a statement. “Showing compassion and being professional, while maintaining public safety will always be our top priority.”
“I join our community with my thanks to the men and women of the [Irvine Police Department] for their tireless work in partnership with our community to keep #Irvine ‘America’s Safest City,’” Councilmember Anthony Kuo wrote on Twitter.