Public Perceptions of Crime

It is well recognized by scholars and practitioners alike that public perceptions of crime affect how citizens go about their daily lives, the trust they place in [Page 346]law enforcement, and the overall quality of life for those in the United States and abroad. As the latter half of the 20th century unfolded, stark differences regarding the reality of crime and the fear of victimization created a divide between governmental policy makers, law-enforcement agencies, and the general citizenry. In stark contrast to Franklin Delano Roosevelt's claim that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, the 21st century brought with it a far different message from those at the helm of national government. Following the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on September 11, ...