It has been evidenced that Missouri has of considerably low cost of living and is also relatively cheap for families. But how safe is the state’s population particularly cities and towns in Missouri? Of course, crime is everywhere, and practically any city can be dangerous if one knows how to look, but some cities in Missouri are generally safe and try to lower crime rates through community policing, awareness campaigns, and other measures.
O'Fallon
This is a St. Louis suburb that is rapidly developing and has been recognized as being among the safest in Missouri. It is in Saint Charles County and for every 1,000 residents of O’Fallon, there was a 0.5 rate of violent crime in 2021 as per FBI reports. O’Fallon Police Department’s goal is to be easily accessible so that they become members of the community. A community policing unit engages in patrols to areas such as schools, and neighborhoods, and even functions in a bid to introduce themselves to the people living in that area. This emphasis on relationship-building is given their safety strategy. O’Fallon also provides great infrastructures like beautiful well well-illuminated streets, parks, community recreation centers for the youths, and a functional, efficient 24/7 police service.
Chesterfield
Chesterfield as an affluent St. Louis suburb was highlighted to be the 2nd safest city in Missouri as ranked by BackgroundChecks.org. This local and friendly neighborhood reveals that violent crimes are rare occurrences as the Chesterfield Police Department and the community members work to ensure such incidents do not happen frequently. The community policing in Neighborhood watches works hand in hand with the police, while the police interact with the residents on an individual basis through regular meetings. Homes, families, schools, and parks are also well developed here with good standard schools in Chesterfield also means there is low boredom and trouble amongst the young people. They also have the money to buy security systems and maintain their neighborhoods since a majority of the residents earn more than $ 100, 000 per year.
Republic
Republic is a town located in the southern part of the Ozark plateau region, specifically in the state of Missouri, and is located south of Springfield. The violent crime rates in the Republic are far below the Missouri or Missouri state averages, and according to SecurityBaron, it is the 8th safest city in Missouri. Republic’s community safety entails tiny town friendly, where everyone is a neighbor, watching out for the other. Republic also focuses on proactive prevention by having police officers attend schools, daycare centers, senior homes, and other community assemblies. All of these are personal relations, and they foster trust between the residents and the police. Republic also involves youths through school resource officers, sports, mentoring, and youth outreach. According to the 2019 Citizen’s Survey Report, 95% of the respondents had a positive attitude towards the Republic Police Department.
Maryville
There is no question that safety would be one of the first concerns on the minds of students and parents when determining a college town. That’s where Maryville, Missouri fits the bill, with the FBI data painting a crime-free picture of the city with no violent crimes recorded per 1,000 residents in 2021. Maryville is a city situated approximately an hour north of Kansas City and is the home of Northwest Missouri State University. The university has its police force that moves around the university compound and also the greater society. Traditional policing is also present whereby the local police organize ‘Pizza with the Police’ events and walk around the student-populated areas. It creates a close cooperation between the town and gowns to provide the safety that will make students comfortable. The family-oriented parks, the lively downtown area, and the Maryville spirit associated with small-town America also support quality of life.
Glendale
As for the 100 residents of Glendale, Missouri, which is only ten minutes outside of Springfield, they must feel like they live in a different world when it comes to security. The latest FBI data has brought good news to Glendale – there hasn’t been a single violent crime reported in the city thanks to community policing and watch groups. The Police Department in Glendale states that the first step to achieving this is to establish a rapport with the residents personally. They hold many community events and meetings to briefly inform citizens of being the ‘watchful eyes and ears’ in matters that may lead to such occurrences. Glendale also has some ordinances that pertain to building construction and the use of spaces to have secure and well-lit homes and neighborhoods among other safety features. When it comes to safety, nothing is more effective than having both Glendale’s protective police department and community watch.
Conclusion
Of course, crime can be found everywhere but the listed cities consciously and proactively work to maintain safety as a vital communal goal. From cultivating police-community relations, engaging young people through innovative programs, supporting watch groups, and fostering partnerships, these cities show that no one person or organization can keep his/her community safe all alone. To those who are in pursuit of a place to live with a focus on safety, there are opportunities and affordable housing in Missouri. It can be beneficial to add these safest Missouri cities to your list of options!
