When it comes to local crime, Americans are generally concerned, but how they get their information and how they react to it varies. Three-quarters of Americans report at least sometimes getting news and information about crime in their community, with slightly larger shares of lower-income (36%) and suburban (30%) adults doing so. And those who consume the most local crime news — regardless of source – are more likely to be very or extremely concerned about crime’s impact on their own security.
But when it comes to understanding their local crime landscape, Americans often come up short. They’re not very satisfied with local crime coverage, especially if they’re interested in underlying causes and broader patterns of local criminal activity. About three-quarters of those who are interested in these elements of crime coverage say it’s hard to stay informed.
Americans coalesce around a few sources of local crime news, with about seven-in-ten turning to friends, family and neighbors or local news outlets. A small but substantial share also turns to social media, search engines or locally focused apps like Nextdoor or Ring. In some jurisdictions, police agencies may even publish online crime maps that update in real time to display crimes mapped by neighborhood, precinct and other geographic units.
In New York City, for example, local crime mapping allows residents to track incidents that occur in a particular area of the city. This helps them to become active participants in the safety narrative, raising awareness about their surroundings and encouraging vigilance among their fellow citizens.