Not the Safest Town in America Anymore

By Kimberly Reiss

NEWTON – Newton is no longer the safest town in America.  According to the annual safest-city rankings, issued by the Morgan Quinto press, Brick, N.J. claimed the top spot while Newton has dropped to fourth behind Amherst, NY., and Mission Viejo, Calif.  Newton had held the title for the past two years, and for three out of the last six years.  “It’s not really that our crime numbers have gotten any higher, it’s that the other top cities have lowered theirs,” said Lt. Bruce Apotheker of the Newton Police Department. 

Newton’s crime remains low for a city of more than 80,000 people. In Newton’s 2006 crime statistics their overall crime index included only 1,198 reported crimes, which is well below the national average of 4,479 for a city.  Out of Newton’s 1,198 crimes only 143 of those were violent crimes.  Most were property crimes such as burglary, larceny/theft, arson, and motor vehicle thefts. 

Crime in Newton has made international headlines. In 1996 Louise Woodward, a nanny from England, was suspected of involvement in the death of the infant in her care.  She was charged with murder and the case became a big deal across the country and across the ocean.  She was eventually acquitted of the charges.

Apotheker said the Internet has become a new source of crimes.  These include bullying and online predators.

There are also a small amount of juvenile crimes.  Most include malicious damage including breaking of windows, and graffiti. 

“Most of the crimes I see at the high schools are ones of opportunity,” Officer John Panica said. “ You know kids will steal each other’s IPods, or purses, or clothes, but there is usually nothing too serious.” 

There are not too many drug crimes seen in Newton either. 

“We don’t see a great number of drugs. It’s no different than it was 20 years ago,” Panica said

The drugs he sees are mainly marijuana and alcohol.  There is some use of cocaine, ecstasy, and heroin, but not a lot.

“I have always felt safe in Newton,” said Elise Kohen a 21-year-old Newton resident.  “When I was growing up we were always allowed to ride our bikes around town, or go to the park without having our parents worry about us.”

Crime from the city of Boston rarely extends into Newton, and even Apotheker is not sure why. 

“I have no idea why we are safe,” Apotheker said. “Boston borders us on three areas, and we have a major highway coming through.  People are traveling all the time, and why we don’t have crime’s committed here is beyond me.”