PLANO, Texas -- One of the fastest growing communities in North Texas is getting big marks when it comes to keeping people safe.

Plano is ranked as the safest city in North Texas and is only behind Round Rock, located just outside of Austin, for safety in the entire state, according to the Morgan Quitno Press, which ranks city crime around the nation.

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For Plano resident Sally Smith and her dog Coco, a walk could take place anytime day or night.

"I feel safe in the area, yes I do," Smith said.

“It’s no secret that the majority of the citizens of Plano are well educated and make good money,” Plano police Officer Andre Smith said.

Affluence alone did not make Plano the safest city in North Texas, Smith said. Citizen involvement makes the difference, he said.

“They get on the phone, they call whenever things don’t seem right, when they’re suspicious about circumstances, they call us, we come out and sometimes there’s nothing to it,” Smith said.

The result is that residents get to meet their officers and officers get to educate them about safety and their jobs.

Also, computers give police instant access to information.

"It's just amazing how this technology is taking off, making it easier for us," Smith said.

Cameras serve as impartial eyewitnesses. Infrared cameras can help find a missing suspect or missing child at night and watch towers are foiling petty crimes including car burglaries and vandalism.

Smith said knowing police are close by helps makes it a walk in the park wherever residents might be in the city.