New Yorkers are increasingly alarmed by crime, with millions saying they've never been this worried before and are turning to guns, pepper sprays and self-defense classes to make themselves feel safer, a survey shows.
Siena College Research Institute (SCRI) polling revealed shocking levels of anxiety across the Empire State, where 87 percent say crime is a serious problem and 61 percent worry about becoming a victim themselves.
Gov Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced more than $51 million in grants to combat hate crimes, and public perceptions of offending rates may not wholly reflect reality, but SCRI's polling spotlights a mounting problem.
'Is this the worst it's ever been?' asked Don Levy, SCRI's director.
New Yorkers are worried about walking into a crime scene, like this stick-up at a Manhattan jewelry store
Rich or poor, New Yorkers have crime on their mind
'Forty-one percent of all New Yorkers, with little variation across most demographic groups, say that they've never been this worried about their personal safety.'
SCRI released their polling data on Wednesday, as police began investigating the state's latest gun crime: an incident in The Bronx, in New York City, that left three people injured, including a six-year-old boy.
Researchers found that 51 percent of New Yorkers have been worried about their safety in public places, including schools, stores, or places of worship — which have all been targeted by mass shooters in recent years.
'Is this the worst it's ever been?' asked polling boss Don Levy
Another 36 percent of residents have felt threatened by a stranger's behavior in a public place this past year — an indication of the rousing levels of social problems like homelessness and drug use on the streets of major cities.
Many are turning to security devices — and not the police — for answers, from home security systems to firearms, tasers, pepper sprays and even weekly self-defense classes to boost their security, the survey found.
Four in ten New Yorkers have spent at least $100 on such products, 12 percent have spent more than $500.
Many people reported being a victim of crime themselves, or seeing one take place, says the survey of roughly 1,000 residents.
Some 9 percent of New Yorkers say they've been physically assaulted, the same number said they'd been burgled. Nearly 40 percent have witnessed violent or threatening behavior in a public setting.
'Crime isn't just something that happens to others faraway, according to New Yorkers,' added Levy.
'A majority are concerned about themselves or their loved ones being safe in public places, and many are taking steps to protect themselves as best they can.'
The situation is worst in New York City, home to some 8.5 million of the state's roughly 20 million people.
Security cameras, self-defense classes ... or simply moving to a safer area
Cops scour for shell casings after a shooting in Queens, New York City
New York City has struggled to bring crime rates back down from their uptick during the pandemic
City-dwellers report higher rates of assault and burglaries, have greater fears about crime, and are more likely to take a self-defense class, join a neighborhood watch, move home, or buy a gun.
The polling shows how New York City and the state have struggled to bring crime rates back down after they ticked up during the pandemic, raising tough questions for Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Speaking at the funeral of a dad-of-six who was shot dead by a scooter-riding madman this week, Adams vowed to halt the violence that's swamped the Big Apple since the coronavirus outbreak.
Adams and police were focused on problems that contributed to the death of the shooting victim, Homod Ali Saeidi: ghost guns, illegal scooters and mental illness.
'We have to get those things that harm innocent people off our streets,' said the mayor.
'We're steadfast. We're not going to allow anyone to deter us from that.'
