Survey: Virginia among ‘most concerned over crime, safety’
VIRGINIA June 21 2021 A new survey by SafeWise has concluded that Virginia is among the top 10 states in the country most concerned over crime and safety.
The survey indicates that 57% of the population is most worried over the status of crime and the safety of themselves and their families – which ranks Virginia at #9 in the country.
The national average was 47%.
In Virginia, other takeaways from the survey include:
55% of Virginians believe that crime is increasing – only 15% believe crime is decreasing
57% of those Virginians surveyed are concerned about gun violence on a daily basis – above the national average of 53%.
37% of Virginia residents worry about police violence daily, while 58% say they have confidence in law enforcement.
64% of Virginians use some form of property protection (62% in the U.S.) with security systems being used most often.
Concern about safety rose 43% year-over-year in Virginia with package theft causing the most concern.
Nationally, other takeaways from the survey include:
Despite the lower overall concern, experience with crime increased over the past three years. Violent crime experience rise two percent and property crime experience jumped 16% between 2019 and 2021.
Nearly 7 in t10 believe crime is on the rise – despite crime rates decreasing consistently for the past two decades.
Package theft is the most worrisome property crime concern, with nearly half afraid it will happen to them and two in 10 have said they experienced package theft in the last 12 months.
Gun violence is the most top-of-mind crime issue, with nearly half feeling high concern every day.
40% worry about police violence on a daily basis but nearly 60% have confidence in law enforcement.
60% of Americans are highly concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic with around 40% believing it has affected their personal safety and around 30% believing it has affected the security of their property.
