Dangerous cities

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Camden, N.J., was named the most dangerous city in the United States and Colonie, N.Y., just 200 miles away, was found to have the lowest crime rate.

Annual rankings developed by CQ Press indicate residents of Colonie, population 79,000, reported just 54 incidences of violent crime in 2008. Camden, also about 79,000 population. logged 2,332.6 violent crimes per 100,000 population, which was nearly five times the national average of 454.5.

The ratings were developed using a series of crime statistics from the FBI, including numbers of murders, rapes and vehicle theft. Camden was assigned a 466.5 score, much more than the 374.87 given St. Louis, which was deemed the second-most dangerous city in the country. Oakland, Calif., was third followed by Detroit and Flint, Mich.

Amherst, N.Y., was seen as the second safest city with Mission Viejo, Calif., Irvine, Calif., and Ramapo, N.Y., also low in the crime-rate statistics, CQ Press said.