"Inside Arlington's Safety Spotlight: Ranking High but Facing Hidden Tensions"
Exploring Arlington's Safety Success: Unveiling the Underlying Tensions in the Community.

Janice “Jan” Holloway
Sep 4, 2025
Arlington is earning new attention after a 2023 SmartAsset study ranked it seventh safest among America’s 50 largest cities, ahead of neighbors like Fort Worth.
The report highlights Arlington’s low rates of violent crime, property crime, and deadly crashes, making it stand out in Texas where safety is often a heated concern.
Nearby, San Antonio fell to the bottom half—with higher crime and health risks—while cities like Fort Worth and El Paso also ranked well.
Using FBI crime and health statistics, SmartAsset credits community policing and local initiatives for Arlington’s impressive numbers.
While city leaders and families celebrate, critics urge caution, noting such rankings may mask deeper issues—like reporting gaps or social inequality.
The debate continues: do safety rankings reflect reality, or just tidy numbers?