Keeping abreast of local crime is a key component of vigilance and safety. But knowing what crime is happening in your neighborhood requires more than just passive awareness—it demands active engagement and ongoing vigilance. When it comes to a property’s security, knowledge is power, and access to the latest crime data can help facility managers identify and manage risks.
The majority of Americans say they get news about local crime at least weekly from a variety of sources. About seven-in-ten report getting this news from social media, locally focused apps like Nextdoor and Ring, or friends, family and neighbors. Another 28% turn to search engines, while a smaller share rely on the local TV news and police department. The most common types of local crime reported are burglary (37%), drug-related (24%), and violent (32%) crimes.
Americans aligned with either political party see local crime news at about the same frequency and turn to many of the same sources for this information. However, Democrats and Democratic leaners are more likely to say that various news outlets exaggerate the amount of crime in their community than Republicans and Republican leaners.
About 85% of adults say they are interested in at least some aspect of local crime news, with the largest shares reporting high interest in details about specific crimes and tips about how to stay safe. Smaller shares are highly interested in what local officials are doing to address crime and broader patterns in local crime.