SOUTHWEST RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Menifee and Murrieta are among the safest cities in California, according to a digital company that publishes home safety and security information.
In its "California’s Safest Cities of 2024" report, Salt Lake City, Utah-based SafeWise claims the two Southwest Riverside County cities are among the top 20 safest in the state, with Murrieta at #16 and Menifee at #18.
The rankings are based on crime rates calculated from FBI data (self-reported from cities and jurisdictions across the country via the FBI Summary Reporting System and National Incident-Based Reporting System). The most recent FBI data was released in October 2023 and accounts for crimes reported in 2022. SafeWise also used population thresholds in its reporting, according to the company.
SafeWise ranked these 20 cities as California’s safest of 2024:
Menifee and Murrieta each have populations greater than 100,000, and both operate their own police departments.
While Murrieta launched its own police force in 1992, Menifee did so more recently — in July 2020.
"The City Council's vision to create and support a local police department has allowed us to better serve the community and improve our response times throughout the city," said Menifee Police Chief Chris Karrer. "The men and women of the Menifee Police Department, many of whom call Menifee home, remain committed to keeping our community safe."
Menifee and Murrieta are the only Southwest Riverside County cities to operate their own police forces, though nearby Corona and Hemet also do. Other Southwest Riverside County cities contract for police services through the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
The article Menifee, Murrieta Named Among California's Safest Cities: Report appeared first on Murrieta Patch.
