In 2020, America’s three biggest problems — according to Americans — were the coronavirus pandemic, poor political leadership and race relations. Voters expressed their preferences on the first two by throwing President Trump out of the White House. The election provided little insight on racial issues, however: There is no […] Read more »
Support for Death Penalty Holds Above Majority Level
Americans’ support for the death penalty continues to be lower than at any point in nearly five decades. For a fourth consecutive year, fewer than six in 10 Americans (55%) are in favor of the death penalty for convicted murderers. Death penalty support has not been lower since 1972, when […] Read more »
Fewer Americans Call for Tougher Criminal Justice System
Americans’ belief that the U.S. criminal justice system is “not tough enough” on crime is now half of what it was in Gallup’s initial reading of 83% in 1992. The latest measure, at 41%, is the lowest on record and down slightly from the previous reading in 2016 — although […] Read more »
Perceptions of Increased Crime at Highest Since 1993
Americans are more likely to perceive crime in the U.S. as having increased over the prior year (78%) than they have been at any point since 1993. Meanwhile, they are less likely to perceive more crime in their local area (38%) than at any point in Gallup’s trend since 2004. […] Read more »
Reports of Crime Victimization at 20-Year Low
Gallup finds new lows in the percentage of Americans reporting that they, or someone in their household, have been victimized by one of seven different crimes in the past year. Twenty percent of U.S. adults say their household has been the victim of a crime, and 13% say they personally […] Read more »
Americans Mostly Agree on Policing. The Difference Is Priorities.
Even as a pandemic and the resulting economic crisis occupy much of the news, President Trump and Joe Biden often talk about something else: crime and justice. Specifically, they are talking about policing and safety, while offering sharply competing visions of America. Yet a survey reveals that Americans are not […] Read more »