UCI

Crime Perceptions

Nearly half (43%) of local residents describe crime in Orange County as a big problem today, while nearly everyone says crime is at least somewhat of a problem (89%).

Residents in the Central County (52%) are the most likely, while those in the South County (34%) are the least likely to call crime a big problem. Those earning under $36,000 (50%) and residents 55 and older (53%) are also more likely to call crime a big problem.

Nearly half (44%) of Orange County adults say they are afraid they will become the victim of a serious crime, with 7 percent saying they are "very fearful." In a California Poll this year, 53 percent of residents statewide said they were fearful of being a serious crime victim.

Crime fears are lowest in the South County (35%), while elsewhere, about half say they are fearful of becoming a crime victim. Half of residents earning less than $36,000 are also very fearful. There are no differences by age.

Fear of crime appears to be having an impact on suburban lifestyles in Orange County.

Thirty-nine percent say they often or some times stay away from the county's public parks and beaches because they are afraid of encountering crime there, with 12 percent saying they stay away "very often." About half in the Central County (53%) say this occurs at least sometimes, compared with 28 percent in the South County. Residents 55 and older (20%) and those earning under $36,000 (17%) are most likely to say fear of crime very often keeps them from using Orange County's parks and beaches.

Thirty-one percent say that crime fears often or sometimes keep them from going to shopping malls and stores, with 10 percent saying this occurs very often. Almost half in the Central County (46%) say fear of crime keeps them from shopping at least sometimes, while only 23 percent in the South County say crime fears keep them out of the stores. Residents 55 and older (38%) and those earning under $36,000(38%) are the most likely to say that fear of crime keeps them from going shopping in Orange County at least some of the time.

As for other leisure activities, 25 percent say that crime fears are very often or sometimes keeping them from going out to movies, restaurants and other entertainment in Orange County. Residents in the Central County (38%), those 55 or older (33%) and those earning less than $36,000 (33%) are the most likely to say fear of crime deters them from going out for entertainment.

Chart 1: Crime a big problem in Orange County (15K)
Chart 2: Fearful of becoming a crime victim (16K)
Chart 3: Crime fear keeps you from public parks or beaches (16K)
Chart 4: Crime fear keeps you from shopping malls and stores (15K)