The Safest Towns in Connecticut

 The data is in and Connecticut as a whole is looking pretty safe! 

Based on the most recent FBI Crime Report, the violent crime rate in Connecticut is nearly 40% lower than the national average and the property crime rate is over 25% lower. Eighteen of Connecticut’s 20 safest cities reported zero murders, and the other two cities reported one each. Thirty percent of the cities also cited no incidents of rape or robbery. Furthermore, 70% of the 20 safest cities in Connecticut reported less than five violent crimes and 55% reported less than 100 property crimes. These figures are especially impressive considering the average population of the cities on our list is almost 19,000.

To add some more metrics to the mix, there seems to be a strong correlation between crime rate and cost of homeowners insurance. Three of the top 10 safest towns with the lowest crime rate have the least expensive average annual homeowners insurance. (Value Penguin).

But enough with these damn percentages, let's get to the list!

1. Ridgefield

Previous rank: 1
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.04
Property Crimes per 1,000: 2.57

2. Wilton
Previous rank: 8
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.05
Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.24

3. Weston
Previous rank: 2
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.19
Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.17

4. Easton
Previous rank: 4
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.00
Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.92

5. Redding
Previous rank: 6
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.43
Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.39

6. Suffield 

Previous rank: 11
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.51
Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.75

7. East Hampton
Previous rank: 26
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.23
Property Crimes per 1,000: 5.50

8. New Canaan
Previous rank: 10
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.05
Property Crimes per 1,000: 6.40

9. Newtown
Previous rank: 5
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.39
Property Crimes per 1,000: 6.09

10. Madison
Previous rank: 9
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.11
Property Crimes per 1,000: 6.5011.

11. Simsbury
Previous rank: 12
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.25
Property Crimes per 1,000: 6.40

12. Portland
Previous rank: 7
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.32
Property Crimes per 1,000: 6.67

13. Canton
Previous rank: 14
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.19
Property Crimes per 1,000: 6.94

14. Plainfield
Previous rank: 17
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.86
Property Crimes per 1,000: 6.65

15. Greenwich
Previous rank: 15
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.29
Property Crimes per 1,000: 7.48

16. Middlebury
Previous rank: 21
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.53
Property Crimes per 1,000: 7.40

17. Monroe
Previous rank: 16
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.15
Property Crimes per 1,000: 7.88

18. Granby
Previous rank: 20
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.26
Property Crimes per 1,000: 7.94

19. Bethel
Previous rank: 23
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.00
Property Crimes per 1,000: 8.44

20. Cheshire
Previous rank: 13
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.21
Property Crimes per 1,000: 8.24

How to Check if Your Vehicle Has Been Recalled in Connecticut

 Whether you are buying a used car or have owned a car for a few years it is important to check to see if the car has been recalled. Not only will this save you money when getting your car fixed, this can prevent you from harming yourself or others on the road.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has developed an online search tool where drivers can find out if a specific car has been recalled and why. This law was passed in 2014 requiring car companies to provide at least 15 years of data for the tool.

There has been an alarming amount of car recalls this past year, so much that According to a 2016 CARFAX study, over 47 million cars on the road today have an open safety recall. Minivans are at the greatest risk with 1 in 4 subject to open recalls. SUVs and sedans face a similar threat, with 1 in 5 of each vehicle type facing open recalls.

In Connecticut, there is an 18.08% chance that your car has a recall, with Waterbury having the highest percentage of 21%. (Carfax.com, 2016)

 

People who want to check on a car first need to get the vehicle's 17-digit VIN. It can be found where the windshield meets the dashboard in the left corner, on the driver's door post and on insurance and registration documents.

 

As soon as have your VIN number head over to Safercar.gov to quickly learn if a specific vehicle has not been repaired as part of a safety recall in the last 15 years.