Local crime is a common concern for citizens. As a result, many communities utilize a range of tools to monitor local criminal activity and improve safety, from online crime mapping to neighborhood meetings and community police liaisons.
While 85% of Americans who get news about local crime say they’re at least somewhat interested in the efforts that officials are taking to address it, only 22% report finding it very easy to stay informed on this issue. Similarly, most Americans who consume local crime news report that they are at least somewhat satisfied with the quality of this information; however, those who get the news from friends and family members, local law enforcement, or media websites and apps are most likely to be extremely or very satisfied with the accuracy of their sources.
Those who frequently receive local crime news from law enforcement are also more likely than those from social media, news websites and apps to say they believe the sources are fair in how they cover crime across racial and ethnic groups. In addition, nearly identical shares of Republicans and Democrats (including independents who lean either party) get local crime news frequently and feel concerned about how it affects their own sense of security.
The most comprehensive way to assess local crime rates is to consult a city or county’s “Crime Statistics Report.” A typical Crime Statistics Report is produced annually and may be broken down into different geographical areas, such as zones, sectors or precincts, that correspond with Census Bureau Census Tracts. The Crime Statistics Report provides numeric crime scores for each of these geographic areas, along with a comparison to the city or county’s overall crime rate.