State College may live up to its nickname "Happy Valley" now more than ever due to a recent national ranking of the country's safest metropolitan areas. According to recently released rankings, State College placed eighth out of 254, as the safest metropolitan area to live.

Morgan Quinto Press, an independent private research and publishing company located in Lawrence, Kansas, specializes in reference books and monthly reports that compare states and cities in several different subject areas, according to its Web site. The company based the recent results on the year 2000. State College's ranking has been consistent with its rankings in similar categories in past years.

"We've been ranked high in other reports throughout the years," said Sgt. John Wilson of the State College Police Department.

Scott Morgan, founder and editor of the organization, said the Penn State campus is included when referring to State College for this report.

"All police jurisdiction within that metro area is considered," said Morgan. Wilson also said the rank is in part a result of efficient authority. Officers do their jobs well and detectives ensure thorough follow-ups, he added.

"We have a very progressive police department," Wilson said.

Several different categories are considered when deciding the level of safety of a metropolitan area. Murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft are among the offenses listed. These crimes were chosen because they are the seven crimes that the FBI has tracked since the 30s, said Morgan.

The crimes included in the study were weighted equally to determine ranking. State College may be higher in the ranking because the statistics did not include minor offenses that are common in a college town, Wilson said.

Without considering petty crimes, State College has little misconduct when compared to bigger cities.

"We have high crime numbers in misdemeanors, which students are more likely to commit," Wilson said.

Although State College has moved up eight spots since last year, Morgan said. Most statistics are not likely to vary much. "We typically do not have dramatic changes," he said.

State College Borough Council member Elizabeth Goreham said State College has retained this top positioning due to the stability of the culture and the people living in the area.

"It's the nature of our community," she said. Goreham has one reason to fear a drop in the rankings next year.

"My concern is the interstate freeway coming through the area," Goreham said. Interstate 99 will bring higher traffic through State College and more risk of crime, she said. Safety is very dependent upon geography, and that is what gives State College much of its stability, Goreham said.