A recent poll reveals that Americans are more worried about rising crime across the United States than in their own towns and cities. Nearly half (48 per cent) of respondents said that crime, the third biggest concern after inflation and political division, had increased nationwide, according to a survey by NPR and Ipsos. Fewer people were concerned about crime in their state or local area, with 37 per cent citing a rise in their major cities and just 23 per cent noting issues in their own communities.
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The findings come amid President Donald Trump’s push to federalise law enforcement in several states, deploying the National Guard to cities including Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., and signalling possible action in Memphis, Tennessee. Trump has insisted that the measures are necessary to “clean up our cities,” suggesting that New Orleans and Baltimore could also be targeted. His actions have provoked protests and criticism from local leaders.
Despite the concern over crime, the NPR-Ipsos poll indicated that most Americans do not support the federal deployment of troops. Only 38 per cent approved of National Guard deployments to major cities in their state, and 34 per cent supported a presence in their local area. Similarly, 37 per cent approved of continued National Guard activity in Washington, D.C., and just 35 per cent endorsed sending soldiers to Tennessee.
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The controversy escalated after Trump announced troops would be sent to Portland, Oregon, describing the city as “war-ravaged” and authorising “full force if necessary.” Portland Mayor Keith Wilson responded that no additional troops were needed and criticised the federal involvement at the ICE facility. The survey, conducted from 19 to 21 September with 1,020 adults, had a margin of error of 3.2 per cent.
