2.

Wayland, Massachusetts

Previous rank: 6

Population: 13,592
Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.44
Property Crimes per 1,000: 0.96

Known for having built the first public library in Massachusetts, Wayland has kept up with the tradition of education with its residents about fire safety and prevention. The town's fire department has an extensive program that focuses on everything from how tobacco products pose fire risks to what babysitters should do during a fire. The Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) is one program in particular that brings firefighters into the classroom to teach kids in preschool through 12th grade about fires, how to prevent them, and what to do if kids find themselves caught in a blaze.

3.

Norfolk, Massachusetts

Previous rank: 7

Population: 11,835

Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.17

 Property Crimes per 1,000: 1.86

The year of 1776 was a big one for American independence. It was also a special time for Norfolk, Massachusetts when famous leaders like George Washington graced its local taverns. Today, 240 years after the end of the Revolutionary War, there aren't any traces of the brutality of those times. Instead, Norfolk has become number three in 2016's "100 Safest Cities in America" because of its commitment to keeping residents secure. The town does everything from hosting rabies clinics to administer free vaccinations to dogs and cats to providing D.A.R.E. education to teach the youth about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

8.

Hopkinton, Massachusetts

Previous rank: 78

Population: 16,209
 Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.06
 Property Crimes per 1,000: 2.65

As the starting site of the Boston Marathon, Hopkinton has even deeper ties to healthy living. With a special focus on wellness, Hopkinton offers anonymous mental health screenings and access to seminars focused on wellness topics. The Hopkinton Youth Commission is in town, too, to provide families with clinical and social services.

11.

Sudbury, Massachusetts

Previous rank: 45

Population: 18,592
 Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.05
 Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.17

The streets of Sudbury bore witness to Paul Revere's famous horseback ride to alert everyone that, "The British are coming!" Since then, Sudbury has been busy making more history with public safety. Every Friday night, the Sudbury Teen Center opens for teens to come and hang out in a safe and supervised environment to cut down on drunk driving and other dangers.

14.

Franklin, Massachusetts

Previous rank: 51

Population: 32,857
 Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.15
 Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.20

Being named after Benjamin Franklin is notable on its own, but this city also has bragging rights for building the nation's first public library—and housing literary donations by famous statesmen. Founded on the principles of education and civic duty, Franklin, Massachusetts upholds that standard by teaching people about issues surrounding senior citizens and advocating for them through The Franklin Council on Aging. With this much emphasis on caring for some of the town's senior members, people who live in Franklin can trust that the city has their best interests in mind.

20.

Weston, Massachusetts

Previous rank: 56

Population: 12,015
 Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.25
 Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.50

Weston is the most affluent town in Massachusetts because of its average household income. The city has used its wealth wisely by giving back to the health and wellness of the town and the world. In 2011, after committing to reduce energy usage by 20% by 2016, Weston was awarded a "Green Community" title from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The town continues to work toward operating in harmony with nature through programs like "Living With Coyotes," which teaches residents about co-existing with the town's abundant wildlife.

23.

Clinton, Massachusetts

Previous rank: 9

Population: 13,755
 Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.44
 Property Crimes per 1,000: 3.64

Aside from having the oldest continuously-used baseball field on the planet, Clinton, Massachusetts hits it out of the park when it comes to the wellness of its community. The small town offers early childhood education, adult education courses, and English language classes to its residents. The Clinton Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) also offers financial support to community members who need to make improvements to their homes but can't afford to on their own. It's clear to see how this town is giving back to its members and helping to make Clinton a safer and happier place.

32.

Sharon, Massachusetts

Previous rank: 18

Population: 18,177
 Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.00
 Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.46

The tranquil trails of this Boston suburb are as calming as the fact that Sharon reported zero violent crimes in 2016. One of only three cities to achieve this status, Sharon has a lot to be proud of. In an effort to protect the local land and community, the city's Conservation Committee works with people to preserve Lake Massapoag and the delicate wetlands that surround the city. It's undoubtedly this holistic approach that has helped make Sharon number 32 on the list of "America's Safest Cities."

36.

Medway, Massachusetts

Previous rank: not ranked

Population: 13,159
 Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.23
 Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.41

Along with its green spaces, Medway has the designation of being a "green community." The city's clean energy initiatives help people cut down on their carbon footprints and enhance the local environment. "Clean Sweep" is one of these environmentally-conscious programs that unites community members to help remove litter from Medway streets and surrounding areas. It's in its fourth year and will continue to inspire residents to protect and preserve where they live.

40.

Holliston, Massachusetts

Previous rank: 83

Population: 14,352
 Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.35
 Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.32

Holliston is right around the bend from Hopkinton and has gone through a lot of transition over the years. Starting as a farming town, it evolved into an industrial center and now serves primarily as a commuter city to nearby Boston. In order to keep pace with its fast development, the city created Holliston Youth and Family Services to provide court diversion and referral services to its people. By intervening during crises and giving troubled community members the support they need, Holliston hopes to eliminate the risk of people growing up to commit crimes and give residents the opportunity to achieve success.

53.

Westford, Massachusetts

Previous rank: 64

Population: 23,654
 Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.51
 Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.44

Named Money Magazine's #11 "Best Places to Live in America," recognized for its stunning website, and awarded the 53rd slot on the "Safest Cities in America," Westford has carved quite a name for itself. In the spirit of excellence, the local police department has undergone some changes for the better, too. Weston now has a dropbox to safely dispose of unwanted prescription drugs and safety programs for bikers and walkers to make drivers more aware of sharing the road.

58.

Bedford, Massachusetts

Previous rank: 57

Population: 14,179
 Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.42
 Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.65

Featuring many historic landmarks, Bedford's Old Town Hall is one of the most famous. To this day, it's still making history as the city's community programming hub. Inside, residents can find the Bedford Center for the Arts and Bedford Community Access Television where they can get involved creatively, socially, and civically. Because of the high level of community involvement, the people of Bedford have been able to help cut down on crime and enrich the city.

60.

Norton, Massachusetts

Previous rank: 43

Population: 19,477
 Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.21
 Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.93

Norton has become well-known in the golfing world because of its famous TPC course that hosts the Deutsche Bank Championship Golf Tournament every year. While those players aim to come in under par, Norton always remains above par with its commitment to public safety preparation. The Community Emergency Response Teams are an example of programs that have been created to educate citizens about emergency response skills, medical assistance, and rescue protocol.

68.

Medfield, Massachusetts

Previous rank: 55

Population: 12,415
 Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.32
 Property Crimes per 1,000: 4.91

Medfield's shuttered state hospital has been a focus of horror movies, but there's nothing to fear in the town itself. In addition to its very low crime rates, the city has the "Medfield Youth Outreach Program," which offers counseling and crisis services to families in need. By rallying around the community's most at-risk members, it helps secure their futures and promote better living.

75.

Groton, Massachusetts

Previous rank: not ranked

Population: 11,260
 Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.09
 Property Crimes per 1,000: 5.33

This Middlesex County town is over 350 years old. However, that doesn't stop its community from modernizing its safety protocol. Groton Residents can sign up for CodeRED, an emergency alert system that texts members in case of a disaster, missing children or people, and more. Now when an emergency arises, residents know what to do right away.

86.

Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

Previous rank: not ranked

Population: 36,578
 Violent Crimes per 1,000: 0.05
 Property Crimes per 1,000: 5.71

Shrewsbury is shrewd about conservation. Establishing the Shrewsbury Water Conservation Project in 2006, the community has been striving toward smarter water usage and recycling. While it's mandatory for all residents to recycle in Shrewsbury, water conservation awareness is something the town is still working toward. Through education, the city is trying to teach residents about low-flow fixtures and appliances as a way to save more water. Since the town is already preserving its safety with low crime rates, keeping better track of its precious resources is a logical next step.