Local crime is a complex topic. It can take many forms, from the daily occurrences of homicide, drug trafficking, and burglary to a more long-term assessment of how a particular community’s safety landscape is changing over time. A deeper understanding of the intricacies that drive local crime trends can empower citizens to better navigate their neighborhoods and foster a sense of collective responsibility for their own safety.
About seven-in-ten Americans say they often or sometimes get news about local crime from friends, family members and neighbors as well as from local news outlets. And about a third of those who consume the most local crime news say they are extremely or very concerned that the crime in their communities may impact them personally.
The share of people who are concerned about local crime varies by demographics. For example, Black Americans are more likely than others to follow local crime news closely and report being highly concerned about how it could impact their own lives. Similarly, adults with lower incomes are more interested in tips about how to stay safe than those with higher incomes.
Across all demographics, nearly half of those who consume local crime news say they believe that various news sources exaggerate the amount of crime in their area. However, a greater share of Americans who receive this kind of news from local law enforcement (79%), and from locally-focused apps or websites (63%), say they trust the information they get about their neighborhood’s crime trends more than they do news from other sources.
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