STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (WWJ) — Newly released FBI Uniform Crime Reporting statistics show Sterling Heights has retained its status as the safest big city in Michigan among communities with populations over 100,000.
The Department of Justice data highlights that Sterling Heights recorded the lowest rates in both total property crime and violent crime among all comparable Michigan cities.
Between 2024 and 2025, violent crime in Sterling Heights fell by 3.3 percent. The city saw significant reductions in key crime categories, including a 50 percent drop in robberies, a 15 percent drop in burglaries, and a 2.5 percent decline in aggravated assaults.
Sterling Heights also maintained the lowest property crime rate among Michigan’s largest cities, recording rates 15 percent lower than Dearborn, 17 percent lower than Warren, 21 percent lower than Lansing, and 26 percent lower than Ann Arbor.
“Sterling Heights being recognized again as Michigan’s safest big city speaks to the Sterling Standard our community expects and delivers,” Mayor Michael C. Taylor said in a press release. “This achievement reflects the exceptional work of our Police Department, the trust they have earned from residents, and the shared commitment across our community to look out for one another.”
Recent municipal survey data reinforces the federal findings. In a 2025 city survey, 96 percent of respondents reported feeling safe in their neighborhoods during the day, while 88 percent expressed satisfaction with local police protection, a figure 35 percent above the national average.
Additionally, 84 percent of residents approved of emergency response times, and 70 percent voiced satisfaction with citywide crime prevention efforts.
Police Chief Andrew Satterfield credited proactive policing strategies and strong public partnerships for the sustained low crime levels.
“These results reflect the exceptional professionalism and dedication of the men and women of the Sterling Heights Police Department,” Satterfield said. “Maintaining a safe community is a shared commitment, and Sterling Heights continues to set a high standard.”
City officials attributed the safety record to several ongoing department initiatives, including dedicated proactive crime units, neighborhood patrols, and a fully accredited agency status through the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.
