Top 10 Safest U.S. Metro Areas Announced

State College, PA Ranks Highest Among U.S. Metro Areas For Safety

Five of the Safest Metro Areas located in the Northeastern U.S.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 15, 2000

LOS ANGELES, CA. – State College, PA, ranks as the safest metropolitan area in the United States according to Community Choice, publisher of County/Metro Guide USA. The 2001 Edition shows that five of the Top Ten safest areas are located in the northeast. State College was followed closely by Danbury, CT. Rounding out the Top Ten areas are Oshkosh, WI; Florence, AL; Lowell, MA; Ventura, CA; Punta Gorda, FL; Wausau, WI; Sharon, PA and Middlesex, NJ.

The importance of low crime can not be overestimated" said Ned Hawley, director of product development at Community Choice. Counties that place a priority on maintaining overall safety are rewarded with higher levels of home ownership, commercial development and good schools. Fewer incidents of crime also translate into greater investments in infrastructure and new businesses.

Conducted annually, the study is the industry standard measurement for issues such as safety, income, population growth and best housing values. This is the sixth consecutive year that the County/Metro Guide USA has been published. These guidebooks include detailed maps, comprehensive data and updated rankings for all counties and metro areas in the United States.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, Community Choice is a national information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, consulting, real estate, employee relocation and site selection. The firms safety measurements are based on data compiled by public and private agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Community Choice can be accessed through the Internet at www.communitychoice.com.

This press release is provided for editorial use only. No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release of Community Choice annual rankings without the express written consent of Community Choice.