Danville Named Safest City In CA: Study

For the sixth time in the past nine years, Danville has been ranked the state's safest city.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Danville, a town in the San Francisco Bay Area, has been named the safest city in California by the independent safety research organization Safewise. This marks the sixth time in the past nine years that Danville has received this recognition, which is based on FBI-reported data on violent and property crime rates.

Why it matters

Danville's consistent ranking as the safest city in California reflects the town's focus on community policing, public safety services, and partnerships with residents to maintain a safe and welcoming environment. This achievement is a point of pride for the local government and police department, and demonstrates the effectiveness of their approach to crime prevention and enforcement.

The details

In 2025, Danville reported 5.9 property crimes per 1,000 residents, compared to a state average of 20.84 and a national average of 22.89. It also reported 0.6 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, compared to a state average of 4.24 and a national average of 4.43. San Ramon, which ranked ninth in the state, was the only other Bay Area city to crack the top 10 safest cities in California.

  • Danville has been named the safest city in California by Safewise six times in the past nine years.
  • In 2025, Danville was ranked the second safest city in California.

The players

Newell Arnerich

The mayor of Danville, who stated that the town's community policing approach and partnership with residents is a key reason for Danville's recognition as the safest city in California.

Thomas Rossberg

The police chief of Danville, who leads the department's efforts in community policing and public safety.

Safewise

An independent safety research organization that ranked Danville as the safest city in California based on FBI-reported data on violent and property crime rates.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We are extremely proud of our community policing approach — built on thoughtful planning, strong public safety services, and a genuine partnership with our residents — which continues to make Danville a safe and welcoming place to live.”

— Newell Arnerich, Mayor of Danville (Patch.com)

The takeaway

Danville's consistent ranking as the safest city in California demonstrates the effectiveness of its community-focused approach to public safety, which emphasizes crime prevention, strong partnerships with residents, and proactive law enforcement. This achievement serves as a model for other cities seeking to enhance safety and quality of life for their communities.