A broad swath of New York City is currently experiencing an uptick in crime, with violent incidents particularly concentrated in neighborhoods and police precincts. But overall, the city remains one of the safest places to live in the country.
While crime is a major concern in many communities, people do not always feel that their local authorities are doing all they can to prevent it. Most Americans get news and information about their local crime from people they know (65%) or through local news outlets (63%). Those sources are also the most common sources of news and information about local shootings, property crime, drug-related activity, and violent crime.
People who get news about local crime from friends, family, or neighbors are more satisfied with their source than those who get it from local politicians or law enforcement agencies (77% and 74% respectively). Similarly, people who get their local crime news from community-focused apps, social media, or the Internet are more likely to be extremely or very satisfied with the quality of the information they receive (46% vs. 31% satisfied).
Black Americans are more interested in local crime news than people from other racial or ethnic groups. In particular, they are more likely to see or hear news about violent crime and are more likely than others to say reducing crime should be a top priority for the president and Congress. They are also more likely to closely follow local and neighborhood news in general.