A public safety organization this week released its ranking of safest cities in Mississippi for 2016 and Oxford was on the list.

BackgroundChecks.org combined data from recent FBI crime reports, natural language analysis, social media sentiment analysis and its own research to create a ranking. Oxford was the No. 4 safest city.

The list, from top to bottom, was: Petal, Brandon, Long Beach, Oxford, Madison, Byram, Horn Lake, Brookhaven, Clinton, Pearl, Ridgeland, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, Olive Branch and Hattiesburg.

Being on this list shouldn’t come to much surprise to residents of the Oxford, Lafayette County and University of Mississippi community. The area is known for being safe and has a low crime rate. Much of that can be attributed to the hard work of the Oxford Police Department and Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department and the city of Oxford officials’ leadership in ensuring resources that provide safety, whether it is additional money for police coffers or ensuring students have a ride home from the Square at night. It also can be attributed to residents committed to their community and wanting to make it a vibrant, safe place.

Everyone should give themselves a hand for keeping Oxford charming and safe.

To look at the report, visit http://backgroundchecks.org/15-safest-cities-in-mississippi-2016.html.