City residents report higher worry about violent crime and greater perceptions of rising crime than non‑city residents, yet self‑reported violent victimization for them or a family member is similar. This suggests urban fear may be driven more by ambient disorder and media narratives than by direct victimization rates.
— If fear and perceptions, not victimization, drive urban crime politics, policy and messaging need to address disorder signals and information environments alongside enforcement.
Matthew Yglesias
2025.09.23
70% relevant
The article claims transit is 'one of the safest ways to get around' and that crime perceptions are distorting the debate, echoing the broader pattern where fear exceeds actual risk and leads policy astray.
2025.08.26
100% relevant
Poll finding: 49% of city dwellers are worried vs. 41% outside cities; self‑reported violent crime victimization is 26% in cities vs. 23% outside.
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