Logan safest city in the nation for second time in three years
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.”
Sessions said housing, the library and food service areas have the highest crime rates on campus.
“Some residents in housing feel they can leave their property unlocked for short period of time,” Sessions said. “In food service areas, some students set their book bag down and go get food. They leave their bag unattended thinking it will be OK. You can’t leave your personal property unattended. Not even for five minutes.”
Collins also said students need to take more preventative measures to protect themselves and their property. Walking in groups and in well-lit areas at night, locking car and apartment doors, and closing windows and blinds are some of the ways he said students can protect themselves both on and off campus.
Despite campus thefts, Sessions said USU’s campus is still relatively safe, especially against violent crime.
“The safety of Cache Valley and the USU campus are correlated,” Sessions said. “If the valley is safe, then the campus on an equal measure is safe. Part of the reason for the safety is a combined approach of people and police that the (police) department has been trying put in effect. They are trying to get campus citizens to realize they are a big part of keeping themselves safe.”
Real estate agents use Cache Valley’s safety standing as a selling point for property, said Janice Williams, president of the Cache Rich Association of Realtors. Williams has been involved in realty in the area for seven years.
“We are in one of the safest communities in America,” Williams said. “That’s a big thing for people who are interested in the area to know. I give them articles to show them we’ve been in the top five in the last two years. People like that.”
Williams doesn’t just sell local property, she said she also lives in the area and enjoys the safety of the community. “All of our communities are tightly knit,” Williams said. “If they see something strange going on, we’ve got a neighborhood watch. We have proven we are safe, but we keep an eye out for each other. That’s what makes Logan great.”
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