[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE CITY OF WEST COVINA ON BEING NAMED 3RD SAFEST CITY 
                              IN THE U.S.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 9, 2023

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the City 
of West Covina on being named one of the safest cities in the United 
States. The announcement of this recognition comes just as the City of 
West Covina is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
  According to a MoneyGeek study published last month, West Covina is 
ranked the 3rd safest among cities with a population over 100,000. 
MoneyGeek's annual analysis looked at the most recent FBI crime 
statistics to estimate the cost of crime in 263 cities across the U.S. 
The analysis paired reported crime statistics with academic research on 
the societal costs of different types of crimes to estimate the cost of 
crime for each city.
  While the national average cost of crime per capita in U.S. cities is 
$1,836, in West Covina it is $181, and while the national average for 
violent crimes is over 560 crimes per 100,000 residents, West Covina 
has a rate around 49 per 100,000 residents.
  Incorporated in 1923, West Covina was an agricultural community with 
orange groves and walnut groves that was turned into a bedroom 
community.
  After receiving a request last year from the city, I was very proud 
to secure $7,000,000 in FY23 Community Project Funding for pedestrian 
handicap accessibility and signal synchronization improvements along 
Azusa Avenue, a central corridor with the city limits of West Covina. 
It has been my honor to represent this thriving community in Congress 
for the past 10 years, and I will continue fighting to deliver federal 
dollars to meet the needs of the city and all residents.
  I extend my hearty congratulations to Mayor Rosario Diaz and all 
distinguished members of the city council, City Manager David Carmany 
and the rest of the hard-working city staff, Police Chief Richard Bell 
and the entire courageous West Covina Police Department, and to the 
wonderful residents of West Covina. May their great city continue to be 
safe. God Bless.

                          ____________________