Two cities in Gwinnett County, Dacula and Buford, have been ranked among the safest suburbs in the United States, according to a recent report by SmartAsset. Dacula secured the sixth spot, while Buford followed closely at seventh out of 360 cities across the nation.
Interestingly, neither Dacula nor Buford operates its own police force. Instead, both cities rely on the Gwinnett County Police Department to provide law enforcement services, an arrangement that has been in place for decades.
Dacula Mayor Trey King credited the city’s safety to the cooperation of residents and the support from the county police, as well as the local two-person marshal force. King also shared a personal connection to the city’s history, noting that his wife’s great uncle once served as the town’s police chief many years ago.
Buford, which last operated its own police force in 1975, opted to close the department to reduce costs and focus its resources on maintaining an independent school system. Buford Commission Chairman Phillip Beard reflected on the decision, emphasizing the financial benefits the city has enjoyed since transitioning police duties to the county.
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The 2024 ranking marks the second consecutive year Dacula has been recognized as one of the safest suburbs, climbing from ninth place in 2023. It is Buford’s first time appearing on the list.
The SmartAsset report also ranked cities from Utah, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, and New Jersey among the top 10 safest suburbs in the country.
