UMass named one of the safest college towns in America
We love a good safe space
College rankings are extremely important to a university’s appeal. After being ranked number 1 dining in the country and consistently being ranked as one of the best colleges towns in America, Amherst is now one of the safest. I know, I’m really excited about it too!
According to SafeWise, ‘the authority of safety and home security news’, Amherst is the 7th safest college town in America.
SafeWise praised Amherst’s Community Shred event, which focuses on protecting citizens from fraud and identity theft. As well as UMass’s Active Threat Program, meant to teach students and faculty how to respond to campus shootings.
Recently Amherst Police Department has introduced the Party Smart program where residents (UMass students) register parties. Registered parties will get a call from the police department if there are noise complaints rather than having a cop actually show up. This initiative will help the ‘stretched’ Amherst PD spend less time responding to noise complaints. A police department that enforces the law over the phone doesn’t exactly ring as wonderfully safe but, rather, outrageously boring.
Amherst was narrowly edged out by hot spots all over the country. Rexburd, Idaho and Canyon, Texas came in sixth and fifth, respectively. Who needs Antonio’s when you could hang out in Idaho? After all, safety first.
Winona, Minnesota was ranked number one due to Winona State University’s Star Alert emergency texting system which informs students on everything from “severe weather events to campus emergencies”. If being number one means Minuteman Sam texts me whenever it rains, I’m fine being seventh.