From Blue Collar to Top Honors: Mayor Picozzi Leads Warwick to ‘Safest City’ Title

In a significant achievement for the Ocean State, Warwick has been named the #1 Safest City in America for 2025, according to a recent study by personal finance website WalletHub. The distinction marks a climb from the number three spot the previous year, surpassing cities like Overland Park, KS, and Burlington, VT.
For Mayor Frank Picozzi, the recognition is a testament to the hard work of city employees and a community-first approach to governance.
"There’s a lot of pride in that," Mayor Picozzi stated in a recent interview with the Rhode Island Wave. "I have great people working for me. A lot of people that just care about the city... and the residents recognize that."
A "Fix-It" Approach to Governance
Picozzi’s path to City Hall was unconventional. A contractor for 43 years specializing in vinyl siding and roofing, he describes himself as a "blue-collar guy" rather than a politician. In fact, he keeps his retired tool belt hanging on his office wall as a reminder of his roots.
"I look at it to remind me who I am, where I came from," Picozzi said.
He initially rose to local prominence not through policy, but through elaborate computerized Christmas light displays at his home. However, five years ago, dissatisfaction with the city's condition—ranging from unreliable trash collection to understaffed emergency services—compelled him to run.
"The city wasn't in a good place," Picozzi recalled. "We were borrowing backup fire trucks from other cities... We couldn't even pick up trash on a regular schedule."
Rebuilding the Safety Net
The "Safest City" accolade is supported by concrete data. According to the WalletHub report, Warwick boasts the third-lowest number of aggravated assaults per capita and ranks highly in financial safety metrics.
Picozzi attributes this safety record to a massive rebuilding of the city's emergency services. Upon taking office, the fire department was short 35 personnel, and rescue vehicles were breaking down during transports.
"We just rebuilt everything," Picozzi explained, citing the use of federal funds to revitalize the fleet and staffing levels. "Both the Warwick Police Department and the Warwick Fire Department are the best around as far as I'm concerned."
Politics Aside
Running as an Independent, Picozzi became Warwick's first mayor unaffiliated with a major party, as well as its first Italian-American mayor. He emphasizes transparency and a departure from partisan gridlock.
"We took politics out of government," he noted. Despite a City Council composed entirely of Democrats, Picozzi says the relationship is cooperative. "When they saw we were doing good things together, they climbed on board."
The results have resonated with voters. In his bid for re-election—now for a four-year term following a charter change—Picozzi won by a decisive 73% margin against two opponents.
Looking Forward
Warwick is currently experiencing a wave of development, including the construction of two new high schools, a half-billion-dollar investment in education, and an influx of new businesses. The city also continues to maintain its natural assets, including 39 miles of shoreline and the beloved Rocky Point, now preserved for passive recreation.
"I fell in love with Warwick... February of 1968, and I've loved it ever since," Picozzi said. "I'll never leave it."


For more information:

• VISIT the City of Warwick website: https://www.warwickri.gov/
• FOLLOW Mayor Frank Picozzi on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frankpicozziformayor
• READ the full safety report on WalletHub: https://wallethub.com/edu/safest-cities-in-america/41926