NEW YORK -- New York remained the safest of the nation's 10 largest cities in 2005, with about one crime reported for every 37 people, according to FBI statistics.
The annual report "shows that our innovative efforts to reduce crime and increase New Yorkers' quality of life are working," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement Monday after the agency released the figures.
The large city with the highest crime rate was Dallas, with about one crime reported for every 12 people. Los Angeles ranked eighth, with about one crime for every 26 people.
The number of reported crimes in New York fell 4.3 percent last year, while the number nationwide dropped 1.2 percent. Police statistics show crime in the city has continued to fall this year, down 5.04 percent by Sept. 10 compared with the same period in 2005.
The national figures showed that violent crime rose 2.3 percent last year, the first increase since 2001. But in New York City, violent crimes — which include rape, murder, robbery and aggravated assault — fell 1.9 percent.
The nation's 10 largest cities in 2005, with the safest ones first:
- New York: one crime per 37.38 residents.
- San Jose, Calif.: one crime per 34.46 residents.
- Los Angeles: one crime per 25.97 residents.
- San Diego: one crime per 24.09 residents.
- Chicago: one crime per 21.9 residents.
- Philadelphia: one crime per 17.96 residents.
- Houston: one crime per 14.17 residents.
- San Antonio: one crime per 14.12 residents.
- Phoenix: one crime per 14.10 residents.
- Dallas: one crime per 11.79 residents.
