When it comes to local crime, most Americans say they often or sometimes get news from friends and family members, local news outlets and social media, but fewer turn to local government officials or law enforcement. And a large share of those who follow local crime news report being concerned that it might affect them or their families.

Local crime data can help businesses manage their security risks. For example, property owners who find themselves being sued for negligent security can use crime stats for the area where the incident occurred to establish whether the conditions that allowed for the crime were foreseeable. These statistics are also useful for determining whether crime is on the upswing or downswing and how much crime has increased or decreased over recent years.

The most common source for local crime news is TV, and about seven-in-ten U.S. adults who often or sometimes get local crime news say they get this information from this source at least monthly. In contrast, a smaller share of those who often or occasionally get this news turn to online sources such as locally focused apps and social media (both about half). People who follow local crime news through these channels are more likely than those who do not to say they feel these sources either exaggerate or underplay the amount of crime in their community.

Black Americans, in particular, see and hear more local crime news than others, but they are no more or less likely to be concerned about this news than whites and those who are not black. They are, however, more likely than other groups to think that news outlets exaggerate the amount of crime in their communities and that some of these news outlets treat people differently based on race or ethnicity.