By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

A national home security news website touted four Shelby County cities for having low violent and property crime rates in naming them among the safest cities in Alabama.

The Safewide.com website recently released its list of the 30 safest cities in Alabama with more than 2,500 residents using the most recent FBI crime report statistics. Through the study, the website factored in the number of reported violent crimes, such as murders, robberies and assaults, and property crimes such as burglaries, arsons and vehicle thefts and determined the chance of each crime happening per 1,000 residents.

“On average, the safe cities that made our list experienced a property crime rate of 18.92 incidents per 1,000 residents, which is 31 percent lower than the typical American city reports,” read the website. “Whether you prefer the relaxing atmosphere of Dauphin Island or the hustle and bustle of Birmingham, there are plenty of safe cities in Alabama to call home.”

Helena came in second on the list, with 0.64 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 10.18 property crimes per 1,000 residents.

“Our success in maintaining a safe community is not only a result of our public safety officials’ professionalism and hard work, it is also a direct result of the relationships they have built with our citizens and business owners in our community,” Helena Mayor Mark Hall wrote in a press release. “The residents of the city of Helena, Alabama, are true partners with our law enforcement team and are the primary reason our city is a safe place to live, work, visit and do business. We are very proud of this partnership and all their efforts to ensure a safe and secure community is a reality.”

Pelham ranked 16^th on the list, with 1.65 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 21.64 property crimes per 1,000 residents, according to the website.

Alabaster came in just behind Pelham at No. 18, with 1.58 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 22.08 per 1,000 residents.

Hoover came in at No. 27, posting one of the lowest violent crime rates per 1,000 residents on the list at 1.04. Hoover reported 26.47 property crimes per 1,000 residents.

To view the full list, click here.