West Lafayette ranked among safest college towns in US

West Lafayette has been ranked No. 13 on a list of the top 30 safest college towns in America by security company Safewise.

SafeWise examined the most recent FBI crime statistics from 2014 and identified safety-related programs and initiatives in college cities across the country to come up with the 2016 list. Safewise noted about West Lafayette:

"Purdue University, which is located along the Wabash River in West Lafayette, has long been a leader in both education and social change. Amelia Earhart worked at the university as a career counselor for female students and advisor for the Department of Aeronautics. That forward-thinking continues in the school’s campus safety and security efforts. Both the university and city police departments are diverse and inclusive, incorporating bike patrols and an elite K-9 unit. Certified drug and explosives dogs are used to help provide a safe environment for Purdue’s staff, faculty, students, and visitors."

West Lafayette was the only Big Ten town on the Safewise ranking.

Purdue Police Chief John Cox says, "It is a team effort when it comes to safety and security at Purdue University. Our city and university police and fire departments work hand in hand with our internal and external community partners to provide the best programming and public safety services available."

Winona, Minnesota, topped the list of safest college towns. The full list is available here.