Roughly three-quarters of Americans say they often or sometimes get news and information about local crime from friends, family and neighbors and local news outlets. While these are the most common sources of local crime news, people also receive this type of information from a wide range of other sources, such as social media and locally focused apps.
People who prefer TV as a source of local crime news are somewhat more likely than those who use other sources to report seeing news about local violent crime on a daily basis. But these adults are also less likely to say that their local news outlets exaggerate the amount of crime in their communities — in fact, about half of them say they believe their community’s news outlets get the amount of local crime right.
The public’s perception of local crime can be influenced by several different factors, including the overall clearance rate of crimes, the number and types of crimes reported, and local homicide rates. While these factors are not entirely independent, it is important for businesses and organizations to understand how the public perceives the safety of their local area.
One way to stay ahead of the curve is to sign up for local crime alerts that are offered by law enforcement agencies. These services can provide real-time updates on incidents, safety tips, and more, fostering a sense of shared vigilance that enhances overall community safety. The New York City Police Department, for example, provides a map that displays crime incidents and shows the clearance rate of those incidents.
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