Despite government statistics suggesting that crime is declining, many Americans believe it is rising in their communities. Some suggest that the heightened fear of victimization is driven by sensationalized media coverage, while others argue that local experiences, including crime in specific neighborhoods and types of offenses such as violent and property crimes, are influencing perceptions. A new Pew Research Center survey finds that local crime is a major factor in shaping public perceptions of community safety.
The survey of adults shows that most people get their local crime news from a wide range of sources, but friends, family and neighbors and local news outlets are the most common. Among those who get this kind of news, about seven-in-ten say they often or sometimes feel concerned after consuming it. And, there is a clear link between how much local crime news people consume and how concerned they are about their safety: Those who get this news often report higher levels of concern about crime in their neighborhood.
About half of those who get local crime news are extremely or very interested in what local officials are doing to address it, and a similar share are interested in learning about the underlying causes or broader patterns of their community’s crime. However, relatively few Americans who want to stay informed about these aspects of local crime say it’s easy for them to find the information they seek.
Some of this interest in broader crime patterns and underlying causes is fueled by the desire to prevent the kinds of crimes that make people worry most — the pushes off subway platforms and slashings in the street, for example, that are more likely to be reported than murders or other large felonies. For those seeking ways to prevent these crime trends, there are a number of resources available that can help them become part of a network of informed residents engaged in shared vigilance over the safety of their communities.