Report: Murrieta Has 7th-Lowest Crime Rate in U.S.

Murrieta was ranked No. 7 for lowest crime in 2010 among U.S. cities with a population between 100,000 and 499,000, according to an annual report.

There were 238 cities with populations between 100,000 and 499,000, according to CQ Press. The 2011-2012—using 2010 data—top 10 cities for lowest crime rates were:

1. Irvine, CA

2. Amherst, NY

3. Cary, NC

4. Thousand Oaks, CA

5. Frisco, TX

6. Simi Valley, CA

7. Murrieta, CA

8. Gilbert, AZ

9. Orange, CA

10. Glendale, CA

CQ Press, which pulls its statistics from the FBI, 10, and No. 2 in 2009. CQ Press bases its rankings on six Part 1 crimes: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft.

Similar rankings compiled by Business Insider showed Murrieta as the No. 4 safest city in the U.S.; Temecula was No. 2. Business Insider bases its rankings on four violent crimes: murder or non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault, per 100,000 people.

Crimes in Late 2011

Though December data was not out yet, two recent homicides were the first in the city since one reported murder in January 2010.

More aggravated assaults and auto thefts occurred in Murrieta in November over the previous month, but there were fewer rapes.

There were 11 assaults and 12 auto thefts, according to the Murrieta Police Department Activity Report for November--increases from four assaults and three auto thefts in October.

One rape was reported in November and one in October, down from two in September. This was according to department activity reports for Part 1 crimes, which include rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, auto theft and arson.

One arson was reported in November and two in October, up from none in September.