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Round Rock named one of the safest cities in
the U.S.
Officials credit relationship between law enforcement
and the community
By Isadora Vail
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Thursday, November 29, 2007
ROUND ROCK — Brent Campbell
said he can drive down five streets in his downtown
neighborhood and name the residents of every house.
To Campbell, even with its ever-increasing population,
Round Rock still has that small-town feel.
"It's nice to feel safe to walk down my neighborhood
without worrying," said Campbell, president of
the Heart of Round Rock Neighborhood Association. "I
can't even think of a neighborhood in Round Rock that
is a bad one."
For the third year in a row, Round Rock has been named
one of the safest cities in the country by CQ Press,
a private publishing organization that compiles the
list based on FBI crime statistics. Round Rock was 13th
on the list of cities with populations more than 75,000.
It ranked higher than some Texas cities of comparable
size. Those cities, which include Midland, Richardson,
Odessa and Wichita Falls, have similar budgets and staffing
levels. The Round Rock Police Department, which has
a budget of $20 million and about 150 officers, is the
highest-paying department in the county.
There are a number of factors that lead to a safe city,
Police Chief Bryan Williams said, but paramount is the
strong relationship between the department and the community.
"I think Round Rock started off as a very small
community that had a lot of heart and soul," Williams
said. "What we try to do is include the community
in the process of crime fighting and the process of
improving the quality of life."
Williams said the department takes a proactive approach,
going to homeowners association meetings and sending
out e-mails to inform neighbors about recent crimes.
He also pointed to the policy of having officers' names
printed on their squad cars, which they are allowed
to take home. Because of the cars, Williams said, they
have received a lot of positive feedback, including
neighbors and passers-by calling officers by their names.
In a 2006 study by a private research company in Austin,
Round Rock residents think that fire and police are
among three of the best city services.
Mayor Nyle Maxwell said both departments make extra
efforts to relate to the community and keep it safe.
"We are tough on crime in Williamson County, but
we are fair and compassionate, too," Maxwell said.
"It doesn't surprise me in the least that we were
recognized again."
ivail@statesman.com; 246-0053
Safest cities, based on FBI data:
1. Mission Viejo, Calif.
2. Clarkstown, N.Y.
3. Brick Township, N.J.
4. Amherst, N.Y.
5. Sugar Land
6. Colonie, N.Y.
7. Thousand Oaks, Calif.
8. Newton, Mass.
9. Toms River Township, N.J.
10. Lake Forest, Calif.
11. Irvine, Calif.
12. Orem, Utah
13. Round Rock
14. Cary, N.C.
15. Greece, N.Y.
16. Chino Hills, Calif.
17. Coral Springs, Fla.
18. Troy, Mich.
19. Farmington Hills, Mich.
20. Centennial, Colo.
Most dangerous cities:
1.Detroit
2. St. Louis
3. Flint, Mich.
4. Oakland, Calif.
5. Camden, N.J.
6. Birmingham, Ala.
7. North Charleston, S.C.
8. Memphis, Tenn.
9. Richmond, Calif.
10. Cleveland
11. Orlando, Fla.
12. Baltimore
13. Little Rock, Ark.
14. Compton, Calif.
15. Youngstown, Ohio
16. Cincinnati
17. Gary, Ind.
18. Kansas City, Mo.
19. Dayton, Ohio
20. Newark, N.J.
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