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13 August 2024
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BERGEN COUNTY IN 9TH PLACETH SAFEST COUNTY IN THE NATION
US News: Analysis of healthiest communities praises Bergen’s public safety and proximity to emergency facilities
(HACKENSACK, NJ) – The County of Bergen was founded on the 9th.th safest county in America according to US News & World Report, according to an analysis by US News Healthiest Communities.
With a score of 88.52, Bergen County has one of the highest public safety records in the country. In addition, the county is an excellent provider of emergency services: 84.9% of the population lives near emergency services, compared to the national average of 37.4%.
“I am incredibly proud that Bergen County is recognized as one of the safest counties in America,” said James J. Tedesco III, Bergen County Executive. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Bergen County EMS, local first responders, community partners and social service providers. We are committed to providing the highest quality of life possible for our residents. By investing in our communities and our emergency infrastructure, Bergen County will continue to be the best place in the country to live, work and raise a family,” continued Tedesco.
“This recognition is a testament to the tireless efforts of our first responders and the collective commitment of our entire Bergen County community. Being named one of the safest counties in the U.S. is a tremendous honor that underscores our relentless focus on public safety and our efforts to ensure every resident benefits from rapid emergency response,” said Commissioner Steven Tanelli“By investing in state-of-the-art training facilities and strengthening our joint service agreements, we are not only protecting our community today, but also preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.”
“Being named the ninth safest community in America by U.S. News & World Report is a testament to the hard work, dedication and partnership of everyone involved in safety in Bergen County – from our law enforcement officers to our partners in government, our first responders and community members,” said Sheriff Anthony Cureton. “This recognition underscores our commitment to public safety and reinforces the trust our citizens place in us every day. The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to ensure Bergen County remains a place that attracts families; and that those families feel they live in one of the safest counties in America.”
Prosecutor Mark Musella noted“Receiving this recognition from U.S. News & World Report is more than just a rating; it affirms our community’s deep faith in law enforcement and the collaborative spirit that unites the police departments that work tirelessly across Bergen County’s 70 communities. From the unwavering dedication of the uniformed first responders who respond to calls for help around the clock to the county’s detectives and assistant district attorneys who tirelessly solve the most difficult cases and deliver justice in our courtrooms, this achievement reflects the hard work of so many.”
Prosecutor Musella continued“Thanks to the dedicated leadership of everyone involved, we in Bergen County can be proud of this achievement while standing firm in our shared responsibility to maintain a thriving, beautiful place where safety is a given, not a question.”
The Healthiest Communities rankings track the performance of nearly 3,000 U.S. counties across 92 metrics in 10 health-related categories and examine the relationships among the many factors that contribute to a community’s overall health and safety.
The Healthiest Communities framework’s core categories include population health, equity, education, economy, housing, environment, community vitality, infrastructure, and public safety. The Public Safety category rates communities on a 100-point scale using seven metrics in three key areas: crime, injuries, and public safety.
Given the ever-changing public safety environment, Bergen County under the Tedesco administration has prioritized improving its emergency response capabilities through various innovations and partnerships. Last year, the county celebrated the completion of the Law and Public Safety Institute (LPSI) modernization project, which equipped the county’s training center with environments that mimic multidisciplinary real-world scenarios for firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders. Also in 2023, the county launched Bergen County Emergency Medical Ambulance Services, a 24/7, countywide emergency transportation service that has helped offset the steady decline in volunteer emergency responders throughout Northern New Jersey. In June of this summer, the county’s Public Safety Operations Center (PSOC) – home of Bergen County’s 9-1-1 headquarters and operations center – announced it would make its 9-1-1 call answering service available to all Bergen County communities at no charge. By strengthening its shared service capabilities, Bergen County advances its mission to become a regional 9-1-1 call center for all of Northern New Jersey.
Click here to learn more about how U.S. News & World Report’s healthiest communities rankings are calculated.
Click here to see statistics on the healthiest community in Bergen County.
