Gallup 's Pulse of Democracy
Crime
|
Guidance for Lawmakers
|
- Over the last three years, Americans have become more pessimistic about the level of crime in the United States and in their local areas, although crime still does not rate as a top issue for Americans.
- Americans believe anti-crime policy should focus more on the causes of crime rather than on increasing law enforcement efforts. A majority have consistently said the better approach to lowering crime rates would be to "attack the social and economic problems that lead to crime through better education and job training" as opposed to concentrating resources on "deterring crime by improving law enforcement with more prisons, police, and judges."
- Americans reject the idea that the death penalty deters crime. Nevertheless, roughly two in three Americans favor the death penalty as punishment for murder. However, given the explicit alternative of life in prison with no possibility of parole, the public is evenly split as to which is the better punishment.
- A majority has always said it favored stricter laws on firearm sales and close to half favors stricter gun laws in general. However, when given a choice, most believe stricter enforcement of existing gun laws is preferable to passing new laws.
|
|
Fine Print
|
As some of the above findings make clear, public opinion on crime is nuanced. Apparent support for policies (such as gun control and the death penalty) differs depending on whether respondents are simply asked whether they favor or oppose it, or whether they are asked to choose between two alternative policies. It is important to consider both types of measures to better understand where the public stands on the crime issue.
Americans usually rate the crime problem as much worse in the country as a whole than in their local communities.
|
|
Context
|
A majority of Americans, 57%, view crime as at least a "very serious problem" in the United States, up slightly from previous years. Only 15% say it is a very serious problem in their own communities.
Americans perceive the crime problem in the United States to be worsening, with 7 in 10 saying there is "more crime in the U.S. than a year ago." In the late 1980s and early 1990s, more than 8 in 10 thought crime was rising, but only about half did between 1998 and 2001. The public is somewhat less likely to believe crime is rising in local areas -- although the preponderance still say it is worsening.
In its annual Crime Poll, Gallup typically finds close to one in three U.S. households victimized by any type of crime each year, according to self-reports. The most common crimes are property theft and vandalism.
Americans are more likely to worry about common but less serious crimes such as burglary than they do about less common but serious crimes such as murder and rape. On a relative basis, fear for school-aged children's physical safety at school is the top crime worry.
A majority of Americans express "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in the police to protect them from violent crime. The police also routinely rank near the top of the list in Gallup's annual update on confidence in public institutions.
|
|
Urgency: Overall Importance as Political Issue
|
Americans currently rate crime as a relatively low-priority issue. In January 2007, only 36% rated it as an extremely important government priority, compared with 62% for the situation in Iraq and 55% for terrorism.
Crime has not registered high on Gallup's most important problem list since 2002. During the mid-1990s it was the top concern, and rated at or near the top of the list from 1994-2000.
Crime tends to rate much more highly as a national problem in the eyes of Americans when the international stage is calm and the economy is in good shape. Otherwise, those concerns tend to overshadow crime.
|
|
Impact on 2008 Vote
|
Crime is unlikely to be a high-profile issue in 2008 given ongoing concerns about Iraq and the economy. If crime rates continue to rise, it certainly can become an important campaign issue even if it does not become the dominant concern.
|
|
Key Subgroup Differences
|
Those living in urban areas are somewhat more likely than are rural or suburban residents to rate crime as a serious problem in their local areas, but urban and suburban residents more negatively evaluate the seriousness of the U.S. crime problem. Blacks rate crime in the United States worse than do whites.
Blacks are much less likely to support the death penalty than are whites. Republicans and conservatives are much more supportive of the death penalty than are Democrats and liberals.
Democrats and liberals are much more likely to favor additional gun legislation than are Republicans and conservatives.
|
|
The Bottom Line
|
Crime is viewed as a serious problem in the country, but is not one of Americans' top concerns at this time. Americans have become more pessimistic about the crime problem in the past three years, suggesting it has the potential to develop into a higher-priority issue.
|
Is there more crime in your area than there was a year ago, or less?
|
More
|
Less
|
Same (vol.)
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
51
|
29
|
17
|
4
|
|
2006 Oct 9-12
|
51
|
30
|
15
|
4
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
47
|
33
|
18
|
2
|
|
2004 Oct 11-14
|
37
|
37
|
22
|
4
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
40
|
39
|
19
|
2
|
|
2002 Oct 14-17
|
37
|
34
|
24
|
5
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
26
|
52
|
18
|
4
|
|
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
|
34
|
46
|
15
|
5
|
|
1998 Oct 23-25
|
31
|
48
|
16
|
5
|
|
1997 Aug 22-25
|
46
|
32
|
20
|
2
|
|
1996 Jul 25-28
|
46
|
24
|
25
|
5
|
|
1992 Feb 28-Mar 1
|
54
|
19
|
23
|
4
|
|
1990 Sep 10-11
|
51
|
18
|
24
|
8
|
|
1989 Jun 8-11
|
53
|
18
|
22
|
7
|
|
1989 Jan 24-28
|
47
|
21
|
27
|
5
|
|
1983 Jan 28-31
|
37
|
17
|
36
|
10
|
|
1981 Jan 9-12
|
54
|
8
|
29
|
9
|
|
1977 Nov 18-21
|
43
|
17
|
32
|
8
|
|
1975 Jun 27-30
|
50
|
12
|
29
|
9
|
|
1972 Dec 8-11
|
51
|
10
|
27
|
12
|
Is there more crime in the U.S. than there was a year ago, or less?
|
More
|
Less
|
Same (vol.)
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
71
|
14
|
8
|
6
|
|
2006 Oct 9-12
|
68
|
16
|
8
|
8
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
67
|
21
|
9
|
3
|
|
2004 Oct 11-14
|
53
|
28
|
14
|
5
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
60
|
25
|
11
|
4
|
|
2002 Oct 14-17
|
62
|
21
|
11
|
6
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
41
|
43
|
10
|
6
|
|
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
|
47
|
41
|
7
|
5
|
|
1998 Oct 23-25
|
52
|
35
|
8
|
5
|
|
1997 Aug 22-25
|
64
|
25
|
6
|
5
|
|
1996 Jul 25-28
|
71
|
15
|
8
|
6
|
|
1993 Oct 13-18
|
87
|
4
|
5
|
4
|
|
1992 Feb 28-Mar 1
|
89
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
|
1990 Sep 10
|
84
|
3
|
7
|
6
|
|
1989 Jan 24-28
|
84
|
5
|
5
|
6
|
Is there any area near where you live - that is, within a mile - where you would be afraid to walk alone at night?
|
Yes
|
No
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
37
|
62
|
*
|
|
2006 Oct 9-12
|
37
|
63
|
*
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
38
|
62
|
*
|
|
2004 Oct 11-14
|
32
|
67
|
1
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
36
|
64
|
*
|
|
2002 Oct 14-17
|
35
|
64
|
1
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
30
|
69
|
1
|
|
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
|
34
|
66
|
*
|
|
1997 Aug 22-25
|
38
|
61
|
1
|
|
1996 Jul 25-28
|
39
|
60
|
1
|
|
1994 Dec 19-26
|
39
|
60
|
--
|
|
1993 Oct 13-18
|
43
|
56
|
1
|
|
1992 Feb 28-Mar 1
|
44
|
56
|
--
|
|
1990 Sep 10-11
|
40
|
59
|
--
|
|
1989 Jan 24-28
|
43
|
57
|
--
|
|
1983 Jan 28-31
|
45
|
55
|
*
|
|
1982 Jan 22-25
|
48
|
52
|
*
|
|
1981 Jan 9-12
|
45
|
55
|
--
|
|
1979 Nov 2-5
|
42
|
58
|
--
|
|
1977 Nov 18-21
|
45
|
55
|
--
|
|
1975 Jun 27-30
|
45
|
55
|
--
|
|
1972 Dec 8-11
|
42
|
57
|
1
|
|
1968 Sep 19-24
|
35
|
62
|
3
|
|
1967 Aug 3-8
|
31
|
67
|
3
|
|
1965 Apr 2-7
|
34
|
66
|
--
|
Overall, how would you describe the problem of crime [ROTATED: in the United States/in the area where you live] -- is it extremely serious, very serious, moderately serious, not too serious, or not serious at all? How would you describe the problem of crime … extremely serious, very serious, moderately serious, not too serious, or not serious at all?
In the United States
How often do you, yourself, worry about the following things -- frequently, occasionally, rarely or never? How about -- [ITEMS A-H ROTATED, THEN ITEM I]?
A. Getting murdered
B. Getting mugged
C. Your home being burglarized when you are not there
D. Your home being burglarized when you are there
E. Being sexually assaulted
F. Having your car stolen or broken into
G. Being assaulted or killed by a co-worker or other employee where you work
I. Being attacked while driving your car
J. Being the victim of a hate crime
Next, I'm going to read some things people do because of their concern over crime. Please tell me which, if any, of these things you, yourself, do or have done. First, ... Next, ... [RANDOM ORDER]
A. Keep a dog for protection
|
Yes
|
No
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
31
|
68
|
*
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
31
|
69
|
*
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
31
|
69
|
*
|
|
2002 Oct 14-17
|
30
|
69
|
1
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
32
|
68
|
*
|
|
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
|
32
|
68
|
*
|
B. Bought a gun for protection of yourself or your home
|
Yes
|
No
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
23
|
76
|
1
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
23
|
77
|
*
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
27
|
72
|
1
|
|
2002 Oct 14-17
|
21
|
78
|
1
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
21
|
78
|
1
|
|
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
|
22
|
78
|
*
|
C. Carry a gun for defense
|
Yes
|
No
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
12
|
88
|
1
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
11
|
89
|
*
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
12
|
88
|
*
|
|
2002 Oct 14-17
|
10
|
89
|
1
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
11
|
89
|
*
|
|
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
|
12
|
87
|
1
|
D. Carry a knife for defense
|
Yes
|
No
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
12
|
87
|
*
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
11
|
89
|
*
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
10
|
90
|
*
|
|
2002 Oct 14-17
|
11
|
88
|
1
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
9
|
91
|
*
|
|
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
|
10
|
90
|
*
|
E. Had a burglar alarm installed in your home
|
Yes
|
No
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
31
|
69
|
1
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
29
|
70
|
1
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
25
|
75
|
*
|
|
2002 Oct 14-17
|
24
|
75
|
1
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
23
|
76
|
1
|
|
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
|
23
|
76
|
1
|
F. Carry mace or pepper spray
|
Yes
|
No
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
14
|
86
|
*
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
18
|
82
|
*
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
19
|
81
|
*
|
|
2002 Oct 14-17
|
16
|
83
|
1
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
17
|
83
|
*
|
|
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
|
18
|
82
|
*
|
G. Avoid going to certain places or neighborhoods you might otherwise want to go to
|
Yes
|
No
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
48
|
52
|
*
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
47
|
53
|
*
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
49
|
51
|
*
|
|
2002 Oct 14-17
|
43
|
56
|
1
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
43
|
56
|
1
|
|
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
|
56
|
44
|
*
|
Please tell me which, if any, of these incidents have happened to you or your household within the last twelve months?
A. Your house or apartment broken into
|
Yes
|
No
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
4
|
96
|
*
|
|
2006 Oct 9-12
|
4
|
96
|
*
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
4
|
96
|
*
|
|
2004 Oct 11-14
|
3
|
97
|
--
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
5
|
95
|
--
|
|
2002 Oct 14-17
|
5
|
95
|
*
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
3
|
97
|
*
|
|
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
|
4
|
96
|
0
|
B. Money or property stolen from you or another member of your household
|
Yes
|
No
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
15
|
85
|
--
|
|
2006 Oct 9-12
|
13
|
87
|
*
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
16
|
84
|
--
|
|
2004 Oct 11-14
|
14
|
86
|
*
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
14
|
86
|
*
|
|
2002 Oct 14-17
|
12
|
88
|
*
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
11
|
89
|
*
|
|
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
|
14
|
86
|
0
|
C. A car owned by you or another household member stolen
|
Yes
|
No
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
4
|
96
|
--
|
|
2006 Oct 9-12
|
3
|
97
|
*
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
2
|
98
|
*
|
|
2004 Oct 11-14
|
4
|
96
|
*
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
3
|
97
|
--
|
|
2002 Oct 14-17
|
4
|
96
|
*
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
3
|
97
|
0
|
|
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
|
4
|
96
|
0
|
D. A home, car, or property owned by you or another household member vandalized
|
Yes
|
No
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
14
|
86
|
*
|
|
2006 Oct 9-12
|
14
|
86
|
*
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
15
|
85
|
*
|
|
2004 Oct 11-14
|
15
|
85
|
*
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
15
|
85
|
*
|
|
2002 Oct 14-17
|
15
|
84
|
1
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
11
|
89
|
0
|
|
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
|
12
|
88
|
0
|
E. Money or property taken from you or another household member by force, with gun, knife, weapon or physical attack, or by threat of force
|
Yes
|
No
|
No opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
2
|
98
|
--
|
|
2006 Oct 9-12
|
1
|
99
|
*
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
2
|
98
|
*
|
|
2004 Oct 11-14
|
1
|
99
|
--
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
2
|
98
|
