As the old journalism cliche goes, “if it bleeds, it leads.” And local crime certainly gets a lot of attention in news reports. But a new Pew Research Center study takes a closer look at the topic and finds that Americans don’t coalesce around one particular source to get local crime news. Instead, they spread across a range of outlets with varying degrees of success.
Despite the fact that many people consume local crime news regularly, few say they are highly satisfied with the quality of this information. And some experience negative emotions as a result of this news.
Americans show a high interest in several aspects of local crime, including what they think authorities are doing to address it, the underlying causes of crimes and tips about how to stay safe. However, only about a quarter of those who often get this type of news say they are extremely or very satisfied with the information they receive.
There is a clear link between the amount of local crime news consumed and how concerned Americans are about the safety of their community. About three-in-ten of those who consume local crime news often say they are very or extremely concerned about how it might affect them personally or their family. This is higher than the share among those who get this news sometimes (19%) and those who never or rarely (5%) consume it. And it is particularly high for blacks (68%) compared to whites (52%). For those responsible for security at commercial properties, this information can be vital in planning strategies and preparing staff for potential threats.
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