The majority of Americans say they often or sometimes get news about local crime from a variety of sources. About as many say they get local crime news from TV and newspapers as they do about the weather, government and politics, schools and the economy. In addition, about the same share of Americans get local crime news from friends and family, social media, locally focused apps like Nextdoor or Ring, and from community events or meetings.

New Yorkers face a one in 10 million chance of being killed or the victim of any other major crime each day, but the chance of becoming a crime victim varies by neighborhood and borough. For example, the risk of being a victim of grand larceny or burglary is significantly higher in Manhattan than Brooklyn, and murder rates are substantially lower in Queens than the Bronx.

While some residents are jittery about their safety, others have found that community meetings and law enforcement officials can provide valuable information about what’s happening in their neighborhoods. These gatherings offer a collaborative platform for discussing safety concerns, offering helpful safety tips, and pursuing broader initiatives to make the community safer.

While most Americans are satisfied with their community’s level of crime, Black and older adults are the least satisfied with the overall level of local crime. Black Americans are more likely than other racial and ethnic groups to see news about violent crime daily, and the same applies to older adults.