Crime in New York City is perceived as a “very serious problem” by the vast majority of voters in the metropolis (74 %), according to a survey by the American University of Quinnipiac (Connecticut), which says that it is the first time this percentage has been recorded in the 23 years they have been polling the population on this issue.
The University notes that it is necessary to go back to January 2016 to find the second highest rate of concern for safety. That year, 50 per cent of voters considered crime a serious problem.
In fact, on the list of most urgent issues that would need to be addressed in New York, insecurity ranks first at 46 per cent, followed by affordable housing (14 per cent), vagrancy (9 per cent), covid-19 (8 per cent) and inflation (5 per cent).
Even 65 percent are concerned about the possibility of being possible victims of a crime, compared to 33 percent who are not.
According to university survey analyst Mary Snow the recent death of two police officers who came to an emergency call coupled with “multiple high-profile violent crimes, the demand and urgency in New York City is clear: reducing crime is problem number one.”
INSECURITY IN THE SUBWAY
One of the issues specifically addressed by the survey was the feeling of security in the city’s metro network, where recent attacks have been recorded, even deadly, which have had a great media and political echo.
The research reveals that only 48 percent of respondents feel safe traveling on the metro, compared to 40% who say they do not feel safe, a percentage that skyrockets at night when 62% say they feel unsafe in this means of transport.
However, when it comes to valuing their neighborhoods, 78% say they feel safe or very safe in them, compared to 21% who say they are not safe.
OPTIMISM FOR NEW YORK’S NEW MAYOR
Among other aspects, the Quinnipiac poll also questioned the subjects of their study about their assessment of the new mayor of the city, Democrat Eric Adams, who owes much of his electoral success to the effort he put in security during his campaign.
The majority of Democratic voters (74%) and those who declare themselves independent (60%) are optimistic about the new city councilor, compared to only 46% of Republican voters who look favourably on him.
Likewise, 58 % are confident that the new mayor will put an end to the growing armed violence, compared to 39% who do not believe he is capable.
Among its security policies, 70% of voters approve of health professionals working with the police to deal with cases involving people with metal problems, 69 % agree with the increase in the number of officers on the streets and another 69% see the restoration of the criticized civilian police force in the areas with higher crime rates of the city.
–
