2 RI Communities Named In Safest College Towns Ranking

BRISTOL, RI — Two Rhode Island communities have been named as some of the safest college towns in America. The 29-city list includes both Smithfield and Bristol in a ranking by SafeWise.

In the top 10 is Smithfield, at number 7. Up two spots since last year's ranking, the town is praised for a drop in violent crime both in the community and on campus. In 2017, there were just 10 violent crimes reported in the town.

Bristol, meanwhile, also saw a drop in violent and property crimes since last year, putting it at number 13 on the list.

"Volunteer programs like the university’s Community Partnership Center help foster safety and civic responsibility on both the campus and the surrounding area, including Bristol," the study read in part.

To determine the ranking, the organization focused primarily on violent crime rates in cities, examining the number of instances per 1,000 people in a city. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. Property crimes were also considered, though they did not impact the final ranking unless there was a tie in violent crimes, the organization said.

Here's a look at the top 10 safest college towns in America, according to SafeWise.

1. Princeton, New Jersey
2. Deerfield, Illinois
3. Rexburg, Idaho
4. Wellesley, Massachusetts
5. Berea, Ohio
6. Univeristy Park, Texas
7. Smithfield, Rhode Island
8. Clemson, South Carolina
9. Blacksburg, Virginia
10. Durham, New Hampshire

Read the full ranking on SafeWise's website.