COEUR d'ALENE - A study conducted by a national law and policy group names Coeur d'Alene the most dangerous city in Idaho, but there are only 72 safer metropolitan areas in the nation.

Law Street Media released a study last week based on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's most recent Uniform Crime Report: "Crime in the United States 2012."

In its study, Law Street details the violent crime statistics for every city in the United States with a population greater than 25,000 - 1,583 cities in all.

The FBI tabulates violent crimes and property crimes for every city that voluntarily contributes to the Uniform Crime Report. It has been doing it since 1929.

Violent crime statistics comprise murder, forcible rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. The Law Street study ranked each state based on the number of violent crimes per 100,000 people.

Coeur d'Alene Police Chief Lee White said statistical reports should be taken with a grain of salt because there are several contributing factors to the level of crime in the community.

First of all, he said, the statistics are based on 2012 data and much has changed since then, including a major factor: the economy.

Other factors that most likely contribute to the number of reports in Coeur d'Alene is that it is the hub of the county, drawing many people from outside the city.

White said being close to Spokane and having an interstate and a U.S. highway going through town contribute to crime as well.

The best indicator of safety in the community is the fact that most residents of Coeur d'Alene feel confident that they can call the police and report a crime.

After reviewing the statistics, White said he isn't too concerned about violent crimes.

"It appears that violent crime is not a major concern for Coeur d'Alene," he said, adding that property crimes appear to be more of a concern. "This still an extremely safe city."

According to the study, there are only six states safer than Idaho, which Law Street ranked as the 44th most dangerous state out of all 50 states.

While Coeur d'Alene ranked as the most dangerous city in the state, not all of Idaho's cities participated in the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program.

The city of Coeur d'Alene, with a population of 45,267, reported a total of 260 violent crimes in 2012. Aggravated assaults topped the list at 220 incidents, followed by 26 forcible rapes and 14 robberies. There were no murders reported that year.

In contrast, the safest of the 11 Idaho cities mentioned in the study was Rexburg, a city of roughly 26,000 residents, reported nine violent crimes, including six aggravated assaults, two forcible rapes and one robbery.

Post Falls was the only other North Idaho city included in the Law Street study. With a population of 28,294, ranked eighth in the state with 52 violent crimes reported. The river city had 42 aggravated assaults, 13 forcible rapes and nine robberies.

Memphis, Tenn., was ranked as the most dangerous city in the most dangerous state in the nation. With a population of 657,436, Memphis reported 11,507 violent crimes, including 7,572 aggravated assaults, 3,382 robberies, 420 forcible rapes and 133 murders in 2012.

South Portland, Maine, was ranked as the safest city in the safest state in the nation with a population of 25,087. South Portland reported 49 violent crimes, including 35 aggravated assaults, 11 robberies and three forcible rapes.

While property crimes were not part of the Law Street study, FBI's statistics included them.

In Coeur d'Alene there were 1,978 property crimes reported in 2012. Of those crimes, 1,395 were classified as larceny or theft, 431 burglaries, 152 automobile thefts and 15 arsons.

With property crimes, White said every citizen can play a role in reducing those statistics.

"Citizens could help reduce that number by doing things like making sure their garage doors are closed when they are home," he said. "Don't leave valuables in your car - and lock up your bicycles."