Murrieta Safest City

Murrieta is the safest city in Riverside County and two other Southern California counties, according to a report released by Congressional Quarterly Press (CQ Press), a well-respected and award-winning commercial publisher.
The report also ranks Murrieta as the 10th safest city in the state and 42nd in the nation. The rankings were calculated by determining the amount of murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft that occurs in cities with populations of 75,000 and more.
“We work very hard at keeping this city safe,” said Captain Michael Payne of the Murrieta Police Department. “We attribute that success to Murrieta having its own police force and employing top-notch officers.”
Murrieta has a population of about 100,000 and employs 92 police officers.
Murrieta Police Chief Mark Wright believes that the city’s low crime rate is directly related to a strong sense of social intervention.
“Most of our officers live here and feel that it is their personal responsibility to keep this community safe,” Wright said. “Our officers have developed strong partnerships with this community through the relationships developed and maintained with our school district, our social service agencies, our business community, our residents and all our local government and community services.”
City Manager Rick Dudley credits the report’s findings to the City Council’s strong support of public safety and to the family-oriented nature of Murrieta.
“Public safety is always a concern of ours and we take it very seriously,” Dudley said. “There is an increase in your quality of life when you feel safe in your community.”
Although Murrieta was rated by CQ Press as the safest city in Riverside, San Diego and Imperial counties, Chief Wright won’t rest until the city is the safest in the nation.
“We are happy with our success,” Chief Wright said. “But we are never satisfied by it.”