Over half of New Yorkers are worried they’ll be the victim of a crime.
According to a Siena College Poll, 61% of residents are concerned about being the victim of crime while 51% are concerned about either their or their families’ safety in public.
Last year, 40% of New Yorkers spent 100 dollars or more on goods and services they say make them feel safer, one out of every six has taken a self-defense class, and 12% have purchased a firearm for self-defense.
When broken down geographically, more Upstate residents feel safe compared to those in New York City.
“New Yorkers across the entire state agree that crime is a serious problem but New York City residents are more likely to see crime as a serious problem in their community and as a threat to them personally compared to those that live in either the metro suburbs or upstate. And Gotham residents are two or more times more likely to have taken a self-defense class, joined a neighborhood watch, moved or purchased a gun in order to protect themselves than are residents of other parts of the state,” SCRI Director Don Levy said.
9% of New Yorkers also report having been physically assaulted.
