A stunning new Rasmussen survey released Tuesday shows a whopping 70 percent of likely voters agree that crime is “out of control” and an overwhelming 90 percent “are concerned about the recent increase in violent crime, including 64% who are Very Concerned.”
The survey results amount to an indictment of approaches to the crime problem promoted lately by the far left, including no-bail jail releases. According to Rasmussen, 73 percent of voters “say letting accused violent criminals out of jail without bail while they wait for trial increases violent crime.” Only 14 percent disagree and 13 percent are not sure. Poll participants said the elimination of cash bail requirements “is among the policies voters blame most for the problem.”
This might be one explanation for the continued strong sales of firearms, though the numbers are down from 2020. Still, millions of Americans are buying guns and ammunition, leading to ammunition shortages in some regions.
That’s not all the survey uncovered. Here are more revelations, as detailed by Rasmussen Reports:
- Seventy percent (70%) of voters say district attorneys refusing to prosecute accused criminals contributes to rising violent crime.
- Sixty-one percent (61%) believe early release of criminals from prison contributes to violent crime.
- Fifty-six percent (56%) think prohibiting police from a “stop and frisk” of a suspect believed to be armed contributes to violent crime.
- Fifty-two percent (52%) believe prohibiting police from engaging in pursuits contributes to violent crime.
Rasmussen partnered with the National Police Association on this survey. It was conducted with 1,182 likely voters Aug. 12 with a margin of sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points.
There may be some embarrassing discoveries in the poll for certain left-wing politicians. According to Rasmussen, “While some politicians have echoed claims by activists with the Black Lives Matter movement that police are guilty of ‘systemic racism,’ the survey found majority support for police across racial lines.” This includes 78 percent of voters who don’t believe police in their area are “too tough on criminals.” Of those voters, the breakdown includes 81% of whites, 74% of black voters, 67% of Hispanics and 79% of other minorities agreeing, Rasmussen said
So-called “defund the police” demands that have resulted in removing resources from policing toward social workers, are also not popular with a majority of voters. Sixty percent don’t think such a policy would decrease violent crime, “with 62% of whites, 55% of black voters, 52% of Hispanics and 64% of other minorities agreeing,” Rasmussen noted.
This comes as President Joe Biden is suffering erosion of his support. The daily presidential tracking poll shows 54 percent of voters do not approve of his job performance, while 45 percent of voters do approve. But only 27 percent strongly approve and 45 percent strongly disapprove, giving Biden a Presidential Approval Index rating of -18.
Meanwhile, a separate survey shows a whopping 60 percent of voters think the country is on the wrong track while only 34 percent believe the U.S. is heading in the right direction, Rasmussen said.
