WESTSIDE -- Both Gentry and Gravette are listed among the 20 safest cities in which to live in the state of Arkansas for 2016. Gentry is in the top 10 and is ranked ninth in the state. Gravette is listed at the number 13 spot.
The listing is prepared by SafeWise, a company which reviews and assists customers in choosing and obtaining home security systems and equipment to make their homes more safe and secure.
The SafeWise website states: "To identify the 10 safest cities in Arkansas, we reviewed the most recent FBI Crime Report statistics from 2013, along with population data. We eliminated all cities with fewer than 3,000 residents as well as any cities that failed to submit a complete crime report to the FBI. From there, we evaluated the remaining cities. We narrowed it down based on the number of reported violent crimes (aggravated assault, murder, rape, and robbery) and property crimes (burglary, arson, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft) in each city. To further level the playing field, we calculated the likelihood of these crimes occurring out of 1,000 people in each city."
According to the ranking, Gentry moved down from the No. 6 spot last year to Number 9 this year. This is the first year for Gravette to be included in the SafeWise listing. Other cities in the Eagle Observer coverage area have populations less than the minimum requirement of 3,000.
Bella Vista was ranked third in the list, Centerton fifth, Lowell 11th and Prairie Grove 15th.
General News on 12/14/2016