Perceptions of crime, not reality, could be influencing New York voters

A stark divide in public perceptions of crime could influence New York voters heading to the polls, with recent polls showing stark differences between Republicans and Democrats.

While FBI data shows violent crime fell 3% nationwide in 2023, a recent Gallup poll found that 90% of Republicans believe crime has increased, compared to just 29% of Democrats.

Despite official data, law enforcement leaders note that residents feel less safe, citing an increase in violent incidents in their communities.

Experts warn that emotional reactions to individual events could outweigh the data and voter decisions may be made based on perceptions rather than reality.

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