Detroit Named Most Dangerous City in America

But experts blast list for hurting cities and distorting perceptions
By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 19, 2007 2:50 AM CST
Detroit Named Most Dangerous City in America
The Grande Mariner cruises on the Detroit River next to the city's skyline in a June 14, 2006 file photo in Detroit. In another blow to the Motor City's tarnished image, Detroit pushed past St. Louis to become the nation's most dangerous city, according to a private research group's analysis of annual...   (Associated Press)

Motor City sped away as the nation’s most dangerous metropolis, according to the latest crime statistics examined by a private research firm that named Detroit worst of the worst. But city officials and crime experts slammed the annual ranking as worse than useless. A spokesmen for the FBI, whose statistics are the basis for the list, said the numbers distort public perception and "provide no insight."

A spokesman for list creator CQ Press chided critics for "blaming the messenger." Following Detroit as the most dangerous cities were St. Louis, Mo.; Flint, Mich.; Oakland, Cal. and Camden, N.J.  Mission Viego in California was ranked the safest city, followed by Clarkstown, N.Y. and Brick Township, N.J.
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