Low crime rate in N.Y. City

New York City was the safest of the nation’s 10 largest cities in 2005, with about one crime reported for every 37 residents, according to an Associated Press analysis of FBI statistics.

The number of reported crimes in New York fell 4.3 percent last year, while the number nationwide dropped 1.2 percent.

Police statistics show crime in the city has continued to fall this year, down 5.04 percent by Sept. 10 compared with the same period in 2005.

The large city with the highest crime rate was Dallas, with about one crime reported for every 12 people. Los Angeles, the nation’s second largest city, ranked third safest, with about one crime for every 26 people.

San Jose took the No. 2 spot, while San Diego ranked fourth. Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, San Antonio and then Phoenix followed.

The AP’s calculation ranked cities by the total number of crimes reported per resident and did not distinguish between violent crimes and property crimes.

The national figures showed that violent crime rose 2.3 percent last year, the first increase since 2001.

But in New York City, violent crimes — which include rape, murder, robbery and aggravated assault — fell 1.9 percent.

Safety rankings of the nation’s 10 largest cities

Ranking of the nation’s 10 largest cities in order of crime rate per capita in 2005. The rankings do not take into account the severity of the reported crimes:

1. New York: one crime per 37.38 residents.

2. San Jose, Calif.: one crime per 34.46 residents.

3. Los Angeles: one crime per 25.97 residents.

4. San Diego: one crime per 24.09 residents.

5. Chicago: one crime per 21.9 residents.

6. Philadelphia: one crime per 17.96 residents.

7. Houston: one crime per 14.17 residents.

8. San Antonio: one crime per 14.12 residents.

9. Phoenix: one crime per 14.10 residents.

10. Dallas: one crime per 11.79 residents.

Source: FBI annual crime report, http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/

By The Associated Press