PRESS RELEASE: City of Yonkers Ranked Second Safest City of its size in the U.S.

YONKERS, NY – November 29, 2016 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano along with Yonkers Police Commissioner Charles Gardner today announced the City of Yonkers has been ranked the second safest large city in the United States. According to the recently released Uniform Crime Report (UCR) Part 1 crime statistics posted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Yonkers moved up from the third safest city to the second safest city among the top 150 cities by population.

“Yonkers is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “We continually work to address the changing needs and challenges of our neighborhoods. These stats reflect that, and would not be possible without the steadfast and dedicated work of our Yonkers Police department, especially the fine men and women who patrol our streets each day to safeguard our residents.”

The Yonkers Police Department also announced that the city’s overall crime rate has decreased by 30% since January 1, 2012.  Since Mayor Spano came into office in 2012 and appointed Commissioner Gardner, Yonkers has recorded four straight years (2012-2015) of crime reduction.

Additional crime and safety statistics released by the Yonkers Police Department include:

• Yonkers has the second lowest crime rate of all US cities in the with a population between 190,000 and 250,000
• Yonkers has the second lowest crime rate of the top 25 cities in New York State
• Yonkers has the lowest crime rate among New York’s big 5 cities (New York City, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse)
• Yonkers has a lowest crime rate among Westchester County’s big cities (Mt. Vernon, White Plains and New Rochelle)

“Over the past five years the men & women of the Yonkers Police Department have worked diligently to bring down overall crime in our City by 30%.  This is a significant accomplishment,” stated Police Commissioner Charles Gardner.  We remain one of the safest cities in the nation and according to FBI statistics we now have the second lowest crime rate in the country for cities of similar size & population.  At the same time we continue to improve relations with the community through a myriad of community outreach programs and initiatives.”  

Mayor Spano continued, “Yonkers Police leads by example. Our police department continues to be efficient with the resources provided to them as proven by the numerous community outreach initiatives and enhanced training that bridges the gap between law enforcement officials and our residents. We will continue to work vigorously so that Yonkers remains a safe city to live, work and play.”

FBI crime statistics can be found at www.fbi.gov.