61% Worry About Being Crime Victim; Half Worry About Their Safety in Public Places

[brooklynite]

Siena College Poll

Loudonville, NY – Sixty-one percent of New Yorkers are either very (21%) or somewhat (40%) concerned that they might be a victim of a crime according to a new survey of New York residents released today from the Siena College Research Institute (SCRI). Fifty-one percent of state residents have been concerned about their or their family’s safety in public places including schools, stores or houses of worship and over a third, 36%, of all New Yorkers have felt threatened over the past year in a public place by a stranger’s behavior.

Forty percent of state residents have spent $100 or more in the last year on goods or services that make them feel safer or more protected from crime. Twelve percent have spent more than $500. About a third have purchased home security cameras (34%) or security lights with motion sensors (32%). A quarter have hired a professionally monitored home security system. One out of every six New Yorkers has taken a self-defense class and 12% have purchased a firearm for self-defense.

Nearly 1 in 10 New Yorkers has over the past year been physically assaulted (9%) and similarly, 9% have been the victim of a burglary. Nearly 40% have witnessed violent or threatening behavior among others in a public setting. Forty-one percent say that they have “never been this worried about their personal safety as they are today” while a majority, 58%, say that they are no more worried about being the victim of a crime today than they have been in the past.

“Crime isn’t just something that happens to others far away according to New Yorkers,” said Don Levy, SCRI’s Director. “While 87% say crime is a serious problem in our state and 57% say it is a problem in their community, a disturbingly high 61% say that they are worried about it happening to them, a majority are concerned about themselves or their loved ones being safe in public places and many are taking steps to protect themselves as best they can.”

Option 1: Tell voters the poll is fake
Option 2: Tell the voters their concerns are unfounded
Option 3: Address the concerns voters have

[Walleye]

1. It's crime fueled by hatred that is really scaring people

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. Is this NYC or NYS?

[brooklynite]

3. State...

It was a major reason Dem candidates did so poorly Statewide in 2022.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. thx

[appalachiablue]

4. K/R

[JohnSJ]

6. Why would this be surprising to anyone. The hyperbolic coverage by the media of crime

is a reflection of this poll.

What is interesting is that according to the polls, the majority of the populace believe that there should be sensible gun legislation, however, that legislation is continuously blocked by one party, the republicans, yet people are still voting for them.

[GenXer47]

7. 21% of men bought a gun compared to 5% of women

Wtf, dudes? Have the courage to put your body on the line. Gamers and cosplayers...

[dpibel]

8. So how do you suggest addressing the concerns?

If the concerns are, in fact, unfounded, how do you address them without saying something like, "Ummm...your concerns are unfounded"?

Perhaps the misperceptions reflected in the poll have a lot to do with the combination of media competing for audience plus the ability of the Internet to act as an echo chamber, both for sensationalism and for fear.

In which case, this might not be a political issue at all.

That's assuming that your trenchant inquiry is directed at politicians. A reasonable assumption, I believe, given that your gotcha questions are framed in terms of "voters."