The Surveys indicates that crime in America is not on the rise. In fact, all statistical data supports a complete decline in all areas of crime in America. The survey suggest some of the reasons for the decline in crime are wages have gone up and unemployment has gone down, which has had some impact in reducing crime, but a major reason for the reduction is that crime has become more costly to the perpetrators. The likelihood of going to prison for committing any type of major crime has increased substantially. I will focus my attention on the largest city in America and some thoughts on the death penalty. Americans have regularly listed crime and violence as the number - one problem facing the nation, far surpassing worries over the economy or health care. Despite the many government and community initiatives launched during recent years to reduce crime, most Americans see no improvement. In a 1998 survey asking respondents if they felt crime was increasing or decreasing in their areas, only 5 % felt that it was decreasing, a full 93% felt that crime was either increasing or staying the same. And it is not just statistics: I consider myself along with those 93 %. In the mean time Guiliani administration is talking about crime rates in the New York City going down, all I see and hear in the media are reports about horrible crimes committed by New Yorkers. The media's extensive coverage of crime, especially the most brutal and horrific cases have heightened the public's fear and anger over this issue to a near frenzy. When asked in January of this year, " How often do you see reports of violent crime on television?" 68 % replied " almost every day ". Although the media have played an important role in raising the public's awareness of lawlessness, crime in America is far from a media - created phenomenon. Government statistics support the image of a nation, which has overwhelmingly lost the war against crime.