NCJ Number
75426
Journal
Gallup Opinion Index Dated: (May 1978) Pages: 24-30
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This May 1978 opinion index provides information on the public's perception of local crime rates, on the extent of criminal victimization, and on the fear of crime.
Abstract
For the first time since 1970, public concern with and perceptions of crime are leveling off, if not subsiding. Although 45 percent of Americans perceive crime in their neighborhoods as increasing during the last year, this is a significant decrease from the 50 percent who held this belief in 1975. Women remain more likely than men to think crime has increased; whites and nonwhites were about equally likely to say criminal activity was on the rise in 1975, although nonwhites are more likely to believe this today. The proportion fearful in their own homes at night has declined from 19 percent in 1975 to 15 percent, and the percentage of those indicating that places exist in their neighborhoods where they would be afraid to walk alone at night has leveled off. Furthermore, residents of the largest and medium-sized communities are much more apt to be fearful of their neighborhoods than are those living in smaller towns and rural areas. Regionally, those living in the East, South, and Far West are more fearful of their areas than are midwesterners. Nationwide, 10 percent are both afraid to walk in their neighborhoods alone at night and are insecure in their homes. In the 12 months prior to the survey, 22 percent of the households had been victimized, compared to 25 percent in 1975. Victimization increased in every region except the Far West, which still retained the highest rate at 31 percent. The rates were the lowest in the Nation's smallest towns and in rural areas. Finally, although FBI statistics point to a decline in certain kinds of crime, survey data suggest that the overall situation may be worse than FBI figures indicate since many victims fail to report crimes. Data tables are included. (Author abstract modified)