Report Ranks NJ’s Safest Towns [AUDIO]

Giving folks a chance to step aside from the everyday doom-and-gloom, a new report lists the 50 safest communities in the Garden State.

The SafeWise Report, which includes only towns with a population of at least 15,000, used the most recent FBI crime data from 2011, and other ranking factors like unique safety initiatives, to compile the list.

Top 5:

• Mahwah Township, Bergen County
• Sparta Township, Sussex County
• Warren Township, Somerset County
• Washington Township, Morris County
• Bernards Township, Somerset County

"Of those top five, there were zero murders," said Aaron Gunderson, SafeWise.com spokesperson. "There was one forcible rape in all five communities, five total robberies, and property damage that averaged about $100 for each."

Gunderson said no community is immune to crime, but living in one of the places on the list can help reduce one's chances of becoming a victim.

"When you're in the market for a home in New Jersey, selecting the ideal neighborhood to settle in is critical to your long-term happiness," said SafeWise.com's Alexia Chianis. "That's because you're not only purchasing a house, you're investing in a community as well."