Logan safest city in the nation for second time in three years
By: Rachel A. Christensen
Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: Campus News
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USU students have a renewed reason to feel safe, as Cache Valley was named the safest metropolitan area in America for the second time in three years.
Police Capt. Eric Collins, a member of the Logan Police Department for 22 years, attributed the safety of Cache Valley to both its citizens and the police force.
"We have good people who live here. Most are law-abiding citizens," Collins said. "(The police department) is proactive in responding to calls. We take care of the small things, which helps eliminate the bigger problems.
"It's like a broken window. If you leave the window broken, it could lead to graffiti and eventually burglary. You have to take care of that window. Like the window, you take care of the theft, assaults and drug problems, and then you don't have the bigger problems like homicides and rapes."
Collins also credited the low crime rates to the communication between police departments.
"We've got a good relationship with other police departments in the valley and the campus police," Collins said. "We have the ability to easily communicate. We know who the criminals are in the valley, and that helps."
Logan's crime rates fall below the national average in every category. Property crime is the most common type in Logan, and violent crime is the least, according to CityRating.com.
Despite the fact that theft is the most common type of crime, Spencer Kirton, senior majoring in accounting, said he hasn't heard of any thefts in the two years he has lived in Logan.
"Man, this is the safest place ever," Kirton said.
Lt. Shane Sessions of Campus Police has been with the force for 20 years. He said he worries students are lulled into a false sense of security.
Sessions said, "Just because the community has been rated as safe doesn't mean crime won't occur, so you need to take the precautions."
Collins said most burglaries occur in unlocked cars.
"If someone sees a laptop in the back seat and the car door's not locked, chances are they're going to take that laptop," he said. "People need to be more vigilant in protecting themselves from theft."
Police Capt. Eric Collins, a member of the Logan Police Department for 22 years, attributed the safety of Cache Valley to both its citizens and the police force.
"We have good people who live here. Most are law-abiding citizens," Collins said. "(The police department) is proactive in responding to calls. We take care of the small things, which helps eliminate the bigger problems.
"It's like a broken window. If you leave the window broken, it could lead to graffiti and eventually burglary. You have to take care of that window. Like the window, you take care of the theft, assaults and drug problems, and then you don't have the bigger problems like homicides and rapes."
Collins also credited the low crime rates to the communication between police departments.
"We've got a good relationship with other police departments in the valley and the campus police," Collins said. "We have the ability to easily communicate. We know who the criminals are in the valley, and that helps."
Logan's crime rates fall below the national average in every category. Property crime is the most common type in Logan, and violent crime is the least, according to CityRating.com.
Despite the fact that theft is the most common type of crime, Spencer Kirton, senior majoring in accounting, said he hasn't heard of any thefts in the two years he has lived in Logan.
"Man, this is the safest place ever," Kirton said.
Lt. Shane Sessions of Campus Police has been with the force for 20 years. He said he worries students are lulled into a false sense of security.
Sessions said, "Just because the community has been rated as safe doesn't mean crime won't occur, so you need to take the precautions."
Collins said most burglaries occur in unlocked cars.
"If someone sees a laptop in the back seat and the car door's not locked, chances are they're going to take that laptop," he said. "People need to be more vigilant in protecting themselves from theft."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Carol Weenig
posted 12/05/07 @ 5:33 PM MST
I especially liked the article because of the writer's style in reporting her personal interviews.
Jon Adams
posted 12/05/07 @ 8:56 PM MST
Great article, Rachel.
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