NEW YORK, NY – New Yorkers can no longer rely on the possibility of a police officer being there for them when they need them most. While it’s no fault of the New York City Police Department, residents are increasingly becoming victims of random acts of violence in the wake of a post-COVID-19 pandemic crime wave that gets more violent by the day.
A recent poll conducted by the Siena College Research Institute (SCRI) indicates that a significant number of New Yorkers are investing in resources to enhance their personal protection due to heightened fears of crime.
According to the poll, 21% of New Yorkers are very concerned, and 40% are somewhat concerned about becoming victims of crime. As a result, 40% of state residents have spent $100 or more in the past year on goods or services that increase their sense of safety. Furthermore, 12% have spent $500 or more on such items.
The SCRI poll revealed that approximately one-third of respondents have purchased home security cameras (34%) or security lights with motion sensors (32%). Additionally, 25% have opted for professionally monitored home security systems. Around one in six New Yorkers (16%) have taken self-defense classes, and 12% have purchased firearms for self-defense.
The poll also provides insights into individuals who claim to have witnessed or experienced crimes. According to the SCRI, 9% of respondents reported being assaulted within the past year, while another 9% claimed to have been victims of burglaries. Nearly 40% stated that they had witnessed violent or threatening behavior in public settings.
It is worth noting that New York has a history of strict gun restrictions. A previous law required individuals to demonstrate “proper cause” to obtain a concealed carry permit, but it was struck down in June 2022 by the Supreme Court in the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Keith M. Corlett. The court ruled that individuals did not need to prove a specific need for self-defense based on the Second Amendment.
In a separate incident, former Marine Daniel Penny has been charged with second-degree manslaughter after allegedly holding Jordan Neely in a chokehold for 15 minutes on a New York City subway. Neely had reportedly screamed “in an aggressive manner.” Witnesses have provided mixed reactions, with some praising Penny’s actions and others expressing fear during the incident.