Entry:

Warr, Mark, "The Polls - Poll Trends: Public Opinion on Crime and Punishment," Public Opinion Quarterly, 59 (1995), 296-310.

Abstract:

Despite media reports of "sky-rocketing" or "epidemic" fear of crime in the U.S., poll trends show that fear of crime has remained stable over the past two decades. Americans do believe that crime is increasing in the country as a whole; however, they are less likely to feel crime has increased in their own neighborhoods.

1972-94

Other Data Sets:

Gallup 1936-37, 1953, 1956-57, 1960, 1965-69, 1972-94; CNN/YCS 1989, 1993; NCS 1973-1992; CBS 1994; Wirthlin Group 1994; PSRA 1994; ABC/WP 1994; National Victim Center 1991