Despite Its Flaws, San Jose Will Accept Its Crown

South Bay city called one of the safest big cities in the country

By SAJID FAROOQ

Updated 2:49 PM PST, Tue, Nov 24, 2009

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Oakland may be a loser when it comes to crime but at least one Bay Area city is a winner.

For the third year in a row, San Jose is ranked one of the safest big cities in the country, according to a report published by the controversial CQ Press, which also found Oakland had one of the highest crime rates in the country.

San Jose was ranked the fourth safest big city behind Honolulu El Paso, Texas and surprisngly enough New York City.

But Oakland would be the first to point out that the data has its critics. CQ Press relies heavily on FBI statistcs and the FBI itself has said the report is misleading.

And the critics may have a few stats of their own to point to. The report shows robbery and rape were two crimes that were up slightly in San Jose and a violent Halloween gang attack that injured a 12-year-old boy drew negative headlines.

Still the San Jose Mercury news points out that the heart of the Silicon Valley saw a decreases in burglary, car theft, arson, aggravated assault and property crime. San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed says the news isn't good enough. He wants his city to be No. 1 on the survey in the future, flawed system or not.