Safety in Petersham
Petersham doesn’t have its own police figures in the FBI’s data. It’s most likely covered by the Massachusetts State Police. Below is what they report.
What stands out about safety in Petersham
Petersham relies on the Massachusetts State Police
Petersham has no police department of its own in the FBI’s data, so there’s no crime rate or Safety Grade for the town itself. Calls here most likely go to the Massachusetts State Police. Across the whole area it patrols, the Massachusetts State Police reported 15 property and 25 violent crimes in 2025. Who patrols here ↓
The towns next door have their own figures
Hardwick, Ware, Phillipston and Athol report to the FBI directly. Their grades range from A− in Hardwick to C in Ware, so they’re a rough guide at best. Neighbors ↓
Written from the FBI data on this page. County and state agency figures cover their whole patrol area, not just this town, so they can’t be turned into a rate.
Petersham is covered by the state police
Petersham has no police department of its own in the FBI’s data. Calls here most likely go to the Massachusetts State Police, and their numbers cover the whole area they patrol, not just Petersham.
The State Police also patrol Worcester County, mostly its rural roads and towns.
Property crimes (burglary, theft, stolen cars)
Violent crimes (assault, robbery, rape, murder)
These are counts, not rates. The FBI doesn’t publish how many people each agency covers, so we can’t turn them into a per-resident figure or a Safety Grade. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, offenses known to law enforcement by county and by state agency.
Petersham and its neighbors
How reported crime compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its safety page.
| Town | Grade | Violent | Property | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwick | A− | 2.2 | 1.5 | 2025 |
| Ware | C | 6.1 | 3.7 | 2025 |
| Phillipston | — | 0 | 1.7 | 2025 |
| Athol | C+ | 3.8 | 4.7 | 2025 |
Reported crimes per 1,000 residents in each town’s latest year; * = a count, for towns under 1,000 people; — = not graded. No town figures in the FBI’s data: New Salem.
Know who to call, and what the weather can do
For emergencies, the nearest ER, and the storms and floods Petersham plans for.
Expected damage is higher than in 14% of U.S. communities.
Natural hazards in Petersham →Phone numbers come from neighbors and the town’s own site (the Handbook). A number you add goes live once two neighbors confirm it.
Heads-up board
Neighbors looking out for each other in Petersham.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Please don’t name or describe individuals. In an emergency, call 911.
Crime: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Crime Data Explorer: offenses known to law enforcement by city, and state and national rates. Counts are crimes reported to police, not convictions. The Safety Grade is our own summary of that data, not an official rating. Natural hazards: FEMA National Risk Index and flood insurance claims. Hospitals: CMS Hospital General Information. This isn’t an official statement of public safety. In an emergency, call 911.