Majority of Americans Concerned Over Rising Crime: Poll

A Washington Post-ABC News poll found that concern over crime has reached the highest point in four years amid a spike in killings in big cities and an uptick in violent crime. The pool also showed that while 59 percent of Americans say crime in the United States is “extremely serious,”  a sizable majority hope that communities can find solutions to crime beyond putting more police officers onto the streets.

The poll also showed that Americans gave President Joe Biden negative ratings for how he has handled the issue of crime concerning his anti-crime strategy that focused on gun crime as part of an effort to stem the rise in homicides in June. Some 38 percent approved while 48 percent disapproved.  Biden’s plan would allow communities to use Coronavirus relief funds to hire police officers or engage in other crime mitigation. The mixed message underscores divisions inside the Democratic coalition over-policing reform. While Biden does have negative numbers, this doesn’t necessarily translate to a Republican advantage: the respondents are equally matched on who they believe can do a better job on reducing crime. Some 35 trust Democrats; while 36 percent trust Republicans.