More Americans are reporting a crime increase in their neighborhoods than at any point since 1972, when Gallup first polled the issue.
Fifty-six percent of U.S. adults perceive more crime in their area than the year prior, the group's latest poll found—a 5-point increase from 2021. The highest level the pollster previously recorded was 54 percent in 1981 and 1992.
Gallup also measured the perception of national crime increases, finding that 78 percent of adults say there is more crime in the country than last year.
The findings come as crime continues to rank as one of the top issues among likely midterm voters. In a recent Harvard CAPS-Harris poll, 68 percent of voters called crime a "very important issue" and 26 percent said it's "somewhat important."
Even as crime rises across the country, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) said she "cannot believe" voters would support Republicans come Election Day.