ICYMI: Long Valley Ranked 4th Safest Town In America

Editor's Note: ICYMI is a weekly look back at the town's biggest story.

LONG VALLEY, N.J. – Congratulations, Washington Township: You’re one of the safest cities in all of America!

According to safewise.com’s annual rankings, Washington Township came in fourth overall in the category of towns with populations over 10,000 residents. Washington Township was the only New Jersey town to crack the top-20, and was next joined by Chatham Township at number 22. Dozens more Garden State towns speckled the top 100. The full list can be seen here.

SafeWise is an independent company that specializes in home security reviews, comparisons, and advice for consumers to make the best decisions on how to protect their home.

The site’s methodology and ranking system came from Uniform Crime Report data for the full year of 2014.

Earlier this year, creditdonkey.com, using the same crime data, ranked Washington Township the safest town in New Jersey.

“Washington Township is an example of what can be achieved when people and their local governments work together,” the safewise.com review said. “The Washington Township Family & Community Services / Municipal Alliance Commission encourages wellness in the community through its drug and alcohol classes. The residents themselves foster a thriving town with their community garden programs. These plots of land bring people together to beautify Washington Township and give people a sense of pride in maintaining peace with their fellow man and surroundings.”

Those sentiments were supported by both Washington Township’s mayor and police chief.

“It’s a great honor,” Mayor Bill Roehrich, a lifelong Long Valley resident said. “It’s clearly a testament to our police force and their efforts here.”

“I am proud of Washington Township for achieving the rank of fourth safest town in America,” said Police Chief Jeffrey Almer. “It’s a true testament to what an amazing community we have. I’m proud of my officers and the citizens for all they do to keep the township safe. It really is quite an accomplishment.”

According to the safewise.com data, Washington Township was last ranked number 15 overall.

See the list of New Jersey towns tat made the top 100:

• Washington Township (Morris): 4
• Chatham Township: 22
• Hillsdale: 24
• Westwood: 28
• Sparta Township: 34
• Bergenfield: 38
• Branchburg Township: 39
• Clinton Township: 41
• Ridgefield: 42
• Woolwich Township: 45
• New Milford: 46
• Warren Township: 47
• Mahwah Township: 51
• Verona: 55
• Dumont: 56
• Florence Township: 57
• West Caldwell Township: 59
• Monroe Township: 61
• Wyckoff Township: 64
• Hasbrouck Heights: 66
• Montgomery Township: 67
• Ringwood: 69
• Bernards Township: 78
• Plainsboro Township: 79
• Hillsborough Township: 81
• Hopewell Township: 84
• Kinnelon: 89
• Glen Rock: 90
• Cedar Grove Township: 94
• Palisades Park: 97
• River Edge: 100