Homicides, robberies, assaults. Crime is on the rise in the United States. The defunding of the police and the lack of action among progressive prosecutors are contributing to the higher number of crimes being committed, and Americans are greatly concerned about this.
According to a Gallup poll, three out of five citizens (56%) believe that local crime increased, up 5% compared to last year, which is the highest increase since 1972. On the other hand, 28% think that there is less local crime and 14% think that it is at the same as last year.
The perception of crime at the federal level also skyrocketed: it went from 70% in 2021 to 78% in 2022 (the record dates back to 1992 at 89%). Thirteen percent observed a decrease in crime in the country and 7% observed no change.
Republican Party supporters are more likely to point out that the local crime rate has increased. Seven out of ten think so, while half of independents and 42% of Democrats share the same perception as Republicans. The Republican perception of crime at the national level is also growing and is greater than Democrats' perception (95% and 61% respectively). Independents' ranking (74%) is two points higher than last year.
Concern about being a victim of most crimes is on the rise
Gallup notes in its survey that concern among Americans in ten of the thirteen categorized crimes has increased since 2021, while only two had a minimal decrease and one other that has the same degree of concern.
In an era of constant technological evolution, crimes such as hacking and identity theft are on the rise compared to last year and cause a high level of concern (75% and 73% respectively). There is also increased concern about having your vehicle stolen (47%), having your home broken into when you are not there (45%) as well as when you are home (34%), about being mugged or assaulted on the street (40%), about being attacked while driving (36%), and about being sexually assaulted or murdered (29% in both cases). The type of crime that has increased the most compared to 2021 is having your child assaulted at school, which is at 47% (up thirteen points).
On the other hand, the level of concern about being a victim of a hate crime (30%) or being a victim of terrorism (27%) is down compared to last year, while being assaulted or killed by a co-worker remains the same (9%).
The Republican Party is best rated for fighting crime
With one week to go before the midterm elections, 47% of U.S. voters are more supportive of how Republicans manage crime and policing than Democrats (37%). Within that number, 49% of those voters are independent.
The Biden Administration's inaction in the face of the crime wave is one of the reasons why the Democratic Party would be "vulnerable" and is losing support from voters. A report released by The Bureau of Justice Statistics showed that from 2020 to 2021, the rate of victims of violent crime increased from 19 to 24.5 per 1,000 people in urban areas.
