N.J. had the most municipalities on the annual ranking of the top 100 safest cities.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP -- Looking for the safest place to live or raise a family in New Jersey?
Washington Township, Morris County's westernmost municipality, was ranked as the fourth safest city in the nation in an annual ranking compiled by the home security and safety website, SafeWise.com.
The home security website's annual list analyzed the Federal Bureau of Investigation's crime statistics from across the U.S. and combined them with research on each city's public safety, public health, and educational offerings to compile the list of the nations 100 safest cities.
"It's quite an acknowledgment," Mayor William Roehrich said of the accolade. "It shows the diligent work of our outstanding police department."
Although not a city, the township was included in the ranking due to it having a population over 10,000.
"Washington Township is an example of what can be achieved when people and their local governments work together," Safewise.com said.
The website highlights the township's drug and alcohol prevention classes, as well as its community gardens, in the ranking. With a population of 18,787, the township's violent crime rate is only .37 per 1,000 residents. Property crimes were slightly higher at 1.76 per 1,000 residents.
Roehrich said community policing has been a big part of curbing crime as officers are more aware of what's going on around town.
Lewisboro, N.Y., which reported no violent crimes, took the top spot on the list.
Almost 30 other N.J. municipalities made the list, the most of any state. Chatham Township, at number 22, was the second safest town in the New Jersey.
Roehrich said he isn't worried about people flocking to the area.
"The recession hit us hard," the mayor said. "Hopefully, this brings homebuyers."
Washington Township and Chatham Township were also among the top 20 cities in SafeWise.com's ranking last year.
Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook.