Local crime is a major concern of residents and has significant implications for community safety initiatives. Knowledge of crime trends empowers individuals to make informed decisions, foster a sense of security, and contribute to the shared effort to improve neighborhood livability. Researching and deciphering local crime data offers a unique perspective on the dynamics of safety landscapes, whether through online crime mapping tools or collaboration at community meetings.
For example, in New York City, crime rates are beginning to return to normalcy after an alarming rise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, violence remains elevated in a number of neighborhoods and the City faces challenges to improving its response. Three important empirical regularities loom large in thinking about this challenge:
Americans express interest in many aspects of local crime news. Six-in-ten say they are extremely or very interested in what local officials are doing to address crime, while smaller shares are equally interested in the underlying causes and in broader patterns of local crime. Those who are interested in these details are more likely to say they find it easy than hard to stay informed.
Those who are most interested in obtaining local crime information are more likely to turn to law enforcement. They are more likely to attend community safety meetings, where they can interact directly with local police officers and learn about their jurisdiction’s strategies for reducing crime. They are also more likely to use apps that provide up-to-the-minute notifications of local events. These apps enable real-time vigilance and can be especially effective for identifying dangerous situations and informing proactive responses.
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