Irvine will maintain its moniker as America’s safest city for the 18th consecutive year, according to newly released statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The data was reported in the FBI’s annual 2022 Crime in the Nation Statistics report, which analyzed more than 11 million criminal offenses reported to the FBI’s crime collection databases last year. 

This year, more than 13,000 law enforcement agencies submitted annual crime data to the FBI via the National Incident Based Reporting System and the Summary Reporting System. Through the use of these comprehensive reporting tools, the FBI estimates that the 2022 Crime in the Nation report covered nearly 94% of the total national population.

“SRS data was accepted from 2,431 non-transitioned agencies representing 55,441,278 inhabitants. These agencies added an additional 16.6% population coverage, [from 2021] bringing the total national population coverage for Crime in the Nation, 2022 to 93.5%,” an announcement for the annual crime report read.

With a population of approximately 311,000, Irvine’s 2022 crime per capita of 100,000 was 85.02 — the lowest among the nation’s top 25 cities with a population of at least 250,000. In 2022, Irvine reported a total of 265 violent crimes – four crimes within the murder and non-negligent manslaughter category, 27 incidents of rape, 58 robberies and 176 cases of aggravated assault.

Speaking on the recognition, Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan thanked the Irvine Police Department for its efforts to innovate in local enforcement.   

“The dedicated men and women of the Irvine Police Department not only stand as a beacon of professionalism but also as a testament to their relentless pursuit of excellence in ensuring public safety,” she said. “Every officer and staff member contributes to Irvine’s exceptional quality of life, fostering their commitment to this City. IPD’s partnership with its community is a collective effort that positions Irvine as a premier destination where people can live, work, and enjoy life with a sense of unmatched security and belonging.”

In a statement, Irvine Police Chief Michael Kent said he is proud of the efforts his law enforcement staff put forward in the community.  

“Our dedicated personnel work in partnership with our diverse community daily to provide the highest level of service and prevent, investigate, and solve crimes. They also work tirelessly to identify and arrest criminal offenders, which makes our community safer,” he said. “We appreciate the support of our City leaders, who ensure we have the resources needed to maintain public safety in the City of Irvine.”

As for other cities, Virginia Beach, VA ranked second, with a crime rate of 85.45 per 100,000. With a population of just over 457,000, the city reported a total of 457 violent crimes in 2022. Newark, New Jersey ranked the highest in terms of violent crime per capita, with a population of 304,000 and a crime rate of 512.65 per 100,000. 

Comparatively, data from the FBI’s crime statistics point to a 1.7% decrease in violent crime from 2021 to 2022, per the annual report.

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