Keystone Today

The crime rate is on the rise in the state of Pennsylvania, and recent polls reveal that across the nation Americans are expressing their concern about increased crime.

According to a survey by Gallup in April, 53% of Americans are personally worried “a great deal” about crime in the country, which is the first time since 2016 that worry has reached a majority. The survey also showed that 27% worry a “fair amount.” Crime is now near the top of the list of 14 national concerns identified in the poll. It is level with hunger and homelessness, and behind inflation and the economy.

“Government national crime data have also shown recent increases in the U.S. homicide rate to its highest point in 25 years,” Gallup writer Megan Brenan wrote.

Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin pointed out in a recent opinion piece that it is not only White Republicans who worry about the increase in crime. Citing a recent Pew Research poll, she said 17% of Black voters listed crime or violence as a top issue.

"While overall crime has not reached levels seen in the 1980s and ’90s, the homicide rate has been increasing in recent years. Whatever the relative crime rate, voters see the current rate as unacceptable," Rubin wrote.

Rubin said that President Joe Biden and Democrats have been treating crime only as a gun issue and referred to how Biden recently issued an executive order to stop ghost guns. She said it is in the president’s best interest to announce efforts to focus on violent crime in particular or hold a summit on crime at the White House.

In conclusion, Rubin said, “Democrats would do well to make clear their crime-fighting commitment before this becomes a major liability in the midterms.”

According to Politico, ghost guns are the weapons of choice for criminals as they lack a serial number and can be purchased or built without a background check. Biden’s new rule on ghost guns requires new background checks and serial numbers to buy guns. Politico also said that only 38% of voters approve of how Biden is handling crime, according to an ABC/Ipsos poll in April. 

A two-day national poll in June by Reuters/Ipsos shows that 52% of Americans disapprove of Biden’s job performance. Crime is the second most important issue behind the economy, the poll showed.

In October 2021 Gallup polls showed that 51% of Americans said there is more crime in their local area, which is an increase from 38% in 2020. The website also said the last time a majority of Americans felt crime was up in their area was 2009, and the last time it exceeded 51% was in 1992 when it was 54%.

The Center Square reported that while Pennsylvania has the highest violent crime rate of any state in the Northeast, it measures closely to the national rate. In 2020 there were 49,793 violent crimes in the state, which is 390 for every 100,000 people. Pennsylvania has the highest year-over-year increase in violence climbing 27% from 2019 to 2020 due to spikes in aggravated assault and homicide.