Doing some research on campus security is a great idea.
I’d encourage you to take a tour of the school and surrounding community while school is in session. While on the tour, ask about security/crime. After the tour, talk to some current students on campus and off about their experience.
In my experience, current students will gab your ear off about the good/bad/ugly and give you the best feel for what it’s really like.
I have a friend who is a police officer for the city of Davis - there’s no shortage of undesirables in that town either. Same is true of Chico, San Luis Obispo and any other ‘college town’ you’ll find.
If you want a more secure environment, Pepperdine really would also be worth a tour.