Public Perceptions of Crime

Abstract

Public perceptions of crime are valuable to policy makers because how the public perceives issues such as the seriousness of crime, fear of crime, the severity of penalties, and specific crime issues can shape the actions of legislators, who strive to respond to their constituents' concerns. However, public opinion is often impacted by the media, and this may lead to a misperception of crime. During the past few decades, the United States has experienced significant changes in public perceptions of crime. For instance, public attitudes toward capital punishment, white‐collar crime, and the legalization of marijuana have shifted dramatically.