© Anne-Marie Caruso/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
Syndication: The Record
NEW YORK (77WABC) — Crime is scaring most of New York City.
Roughly three-quarters of New York City voters — 74 percent — think crime is a very serious problem, which is a record high since the Quinnipiac University Poll started asking this question in 1999. Until now, the highest number of voters thinking crime was a very serious problem was 50 percent back in January 2016.
Crime ranks as the most urgent issue facing New York City with 46 percent, making it the top issue followed by affordable housing at 14 percent and homelessness at 9 percent.
“In the wake of two NYPD officers being shot and killed on duty among multiple high profile violent crimes, the mandate and urgency in New York City is clear: reducing crime is the number one issue in New York City,” said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Mary Snow.
Roughly 4 out of 10 voters, or 43 percent, say New York City is less safe compared to other big cities; 36 percent say about as safe and 16 percent say more safe. The 43 percent of voters saying less safe is the highest level it’s been since the question was first asked by Quinnipiac in 2003, with a previous high of 16 percent.
Two-thirds of voters — 65 percent — said they personally worry about being the victim of a crime, compared to 35 percent who didn’t. That’s also the highest level of worry since Quinnipiac first asked the question in April 1999 when 57 percent expressed concern about being a victim of crime compared to 42 percent who didn’t.
