Report: Nassau County ranked as the safest community in America

According to the report, the county spends $1,148 per capita on health and emergency services. The amount is nearly three times more than the national average, which is $440.

The report also states public safety workers, like police and first responders, make up 1.39% of the population, which is almost double the national average at 0.82%.

Nassau County also earned the top spot on the report for a slight decrease in crime.

Team 12 Investigates reviewed the most recent data available from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

The data show Nassau police reported three shootings involving injury between January and May. During that same time period in 2023, the department reported five shootings.

Nassau police Commissioner Patrick Ryder highlighted a drop in crime at a legislative meeting earlier this week.

“We are the safest county in America for the last several years,” Commissioner Ryder said. “I am down another 15% in crime. We’re getting better quality of life in our great place and our county executive and the legislative body supports it.”

The U.S. News and World Report ranked Suffolk County as 22 on the list for public safety.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in a statement, “Our ranking as the safest county in the country is a tribute to our police officers, district attorney, and other law enforcement professionals who put their life on the line each and every day to protect the residents of Nassau County. However, we should not rest on our laurels. We have much work to do, and with the support of the legislature I will continue to initiate programs that make Nassau County safer.”

According to the report, the county spends $822 per capita on health and emergency services. It reports 1.42% of the population is made up of public safety professionals, but reported higher property crime rates in Suffolk compared to Nassau.