Fishers ranked 19th safest city in U.S.

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) - Two Indiana communities have made a national list among the safest places to live in America.

This is exciting news for Fishers and Carmel; public safety was a big factor for them getting on this list.

It's the best recognition the town of Fishers can get.

"We are very excited and honored to be given this award," said Fishers Police Officer Tom Weger.

Location, Inc. named Fishers one of the safest places in America. On a list of 100, the town of nearly 80,000 people ranked 19th.

"It's a direct reflection of the active partnership that we have with the community," Officer Weger said.

Locaton, Inc. looked at cities with a population of at least 25-thousand. Then, looked at the number of crimes per 1,000 residents. The group looked at crimes like burglary, larceny, car thefts and murder.

Fishers credits neighborhood crime watch organizations for keeping its streets safe.

"We actively participate with the community and ask them to be kind of our eyes and ears to help us to be able to affectively respond to crimes as they are happening," Officer Weger said.

"It comes down to two things: one is the quality of residents we have here in Fishers; Highly educated, family focused and two the type of dedicated folks we have in our public safety," said Fishers Town Manager Scott Fadness.

Fishers isn't the only Hamilton County community on the list. Carmel ranked 33rd. It's not a surprise to Mayor Jim Brainard.

"The community is very aware to be on the look out for people doing bad things and as a result it shows up in the statistics," Mayor Brainard said.

Brainard also credits a good relationship between the police department and community.

"Our police do a good job; they organize community watches, which a lot of our citizens are engaged in they have a citizens academy and a teen academy a police academy," he said.

"We have a very talented group of men and women here at the Fishers Police Dept., but we would not be nearly as successful without the active participation from the community," said Officer Weger.

You can look at a complete list of the other cities that made the top 100 at NeighborhoodScout.com .