Communities Speak seeks to understand and visualize the challenges respondents experience related to public safety. Our surveys gauge how safe community members feel in New York City and any harms or threats they may encounter in their neighborhoods, at home, on their commutes, and/or their places of work.
Public Safety
Spring 2023
Rated Prevention of Local Crime and Neighborhood Safety as Poor
of below median income New Yorkers
of above median income New Yorkers
18.6% of New Yorkers also reported poor police responsiveness
Fall 2022
Feel Unsafe at Work
In the Fall 2022 survey round, respondents were asked to rate how safe they felt at work. While Bronx respondents were most likely to report feeling unsafe at work, Staten Island respondents were least likely to report the same.
Respondents were asked for their total household annual pre-tax income for 2021. These were cross-referenced with their household size to calculate poverty levels. Respondents with incomes below the poverty line were disproportionately likely to report feeling unsafe at work.
Feel Unsafe at Home
In the Fall 2022 survey round, respondents were asked to rate how safe they felt at home. Female identifying respondents were disproportionately likely to report feeling unsafe at home.
Respondents with incomes below the poverty line were disproportionately likely to report feeling unsafe at home.
Experienced Verbal or Physical Violence in the Last 6 Months
In Fall 2022, respondents were asked to if they have exeriences abuse or violebce in the past 6 months.
Asian respondents were most likely to report experiencing abuse or violence.
Black / African American Respondents
Hispanic or Latinx Respondents
Asian Respondents
Spring 2022
Rated Police Responsiveness Poor
Male Respondents
Female Respondents
In Spring 2022, respondents were asked to rate the quality of prevention of local crime and neighborhood safety in the City. Over 50% of female-identifying respondents rated prevention of local crime and neighborhood safety as poor.
Rated Prevention of Local Crime and Neighborhood Safety Poorly
New Yorkers Are Avoiding Public Transportation Due to Safety Concerns
In Spring 2022, respondents were asked to rate the quality of police responsiveness in the City. More than 40% of female-identifying respondents and almost 35% of male- identifying respondents rated police responsiveness as poor.
Spring 2022 survey results demonstrated that more than 50% of Hispanic respondents rated the prevention of local crime and neighborhood safety as poor.
Spring 2022 survey results demonstrated that over 40% of Black, white, and Asian respondents each reported the prevention of local crime and neighborhood safety as poor.
About 3 in 10 New Yorkers reported avoiding public transportation due to crime and safety concerns
About 2 in 10 New Yorkers reported avoiding public transportation due to COVID concerns
