Gallup: Americans' crime fears drop 10 percent from 2017

Nov. 7 (UPI) -- For the first time in 13 years, the majority of Americans do not believe crime is a very or extremely serious problem, a Gallup poll released Wednesday indicates.

Forty-nine percent of respondents said crime is a very or extremely serious problem, while 50 percent said it was a moderate or not at all serious problem. The number of people who believe it is a serious problem dropped 10 percentage points from 2017 when it was 59 percent.

It was the first time the number dropped below 50 percent since 2004, when 42 percent thought crime was a serious problem.

The percent of people who believe crime is a serious problem has reached the peak of 60 percent four times since Gallup began asking the question -- in 2016, 2015, 2010 and 2000.

Gallup also asked respondents whether there is more crime this year than a year ago -- 60 percent said yes, down 8 points from 2017. Forty-two percent said crime is decreasing in their local area compared to 39 who said it's increasing.

Gallup surveyed 1,019 adults from Oct. 1-10 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. There was a margin of error of 4 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.