Yorktown among safest communities in New York

SafeWise again ranked Yorktown No. 8 in New York in its 12th annual Safest Cities in New York report for 2026, placing the town among the state’s top 10 safest communities. It followed other Westchester towns, including Rye (No. 1), Bedford (No. 2) and Scarsdale (No. 3).

Yorktown, with a population of 34,899, recorded a violent crime rate of 0.3 incidents per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000, according to the report.

Statewide, violent crime increased to 5.73 incidents per 1,000 residents, above the national average of 4.43, while property crime rose from 14.1 incidents per 1,000 people in 2022 to 23.72 this year, exceeding the national rate of 22.89.

SafeWise, a Utah-based advisory group made up of experts in personal safety, theft trends, IT security, criminal justice and health, based its rankings on the most recent FBI crime data available for communities across the state.

Police Chief Robert Noble said in a Feb. 13 press release that the ranking reflects his department’s professionalism and dedication, and highlights the agency’s partnership with residents and the local community.

“Our officers hold themselves to the highest standards, and their proactive approach to keeping our streets safe is why Yorktown remains a premier place to live and work,” he said.

Yorktown’s property crime rate has seen a steady decline over the last three reports, falling from 7.5 in 2024 to 6.4 in the current 2026 report.

“Being named one of the top ten safest communities in New York doesn't happen by accident,” Supervisor Ed Lachterman said and called the ranking a “result of a police force that is deeply integrated into our town and a community that supports them.”