U.S. News & World Report has ranked Des Moines as one of the safest cities in America. According to the magazine, “crime rate can be one of the deciding factors of where families settle down.” Based on U.S. metro areas’ crime rates per 100,000 people, Des Moines ranked second only to Green Bay, Wis.
Police Chief Dana Wingert said the recognition is a team effort and everyone should be proud of it.
“Safety of our City is paramount to what we do – while the men and women here are committed to that, it goes beyond the four walls of this station,” Wingert said. “It takes a whole community to win an award such as this. It takes committed partners in the community, and it takes a culture committed to the safety of the citizens.”
Wingert credited his department’s relationships with residents in keeping Des Moines’ neighborhoods safe.
Mayor Frank Cownie agreed.
“I want to congratulate Chief Dana Wingert and all the men and women who make up the Des Moines Police Department,” Cownie said. “Their hard work, dedicated service and professionalism are greatly appreciated, and it’s encouraging encourage to see those efforts recognized on a national level.”
In 2020, officers recovered more than 650 firearms, 98 of them were reported stolen. There are 372 sworn officers in the Des Moines Police Department.
