public safety
/ˈpʌb.lɪ ˈseɪf.ti/ · pub·lic safe·ty
noun
- The condition of being protected from danger, crime, or accidents, especially as a responsibility of government or community agencies. The city council increased funding for public safety after a rise in burglaries.
- Governmental departments or services (such as police, fire, and emergency medical services) tasked with maintaining that condition. The public safety office issued an alert about the approaching storm.
Synonyms
community protectioncivil securitypublic securitylaw enforcementemergency servicescrime preventionpublic welfarecivil defense
Antonyms
Did you know? The term "public safety" was first recorded in U.S. municipal charters in the 1860s, where it was used to group police and fire services under a single administrative umbrella.