Crime Panic

Apparently, crime is worse than ever here in the Big Apple. From the mayor to the media, everyone agrees that we’re living in a hotbed of stabbings, shootings, and robberies. But is there more to this story than meets the eye? Who benefits from this narrative?

New York City's Most Esteemed Publication

The New York Post and other conservative media outlets have been crucial in constructing the narrative that crime is all around us, all the time. Stocks are up? No, crime is up. The covers the New York Post ran in the 30 days leading up to the 2022 election give us a hint as to why they're so invested in crime stories, this year in particular. Make sure to check out the cover stories they ran in the 30 days leading up to the 2018 election, and how that compares to the stories they ran before the 2022 election.

November 2018 Election:

4 Crime Stories

November 2022 Election:

15 Crime Stories

Hand in hand...

Hmm, all that talk of subway shovings and homicide reminds me of someone else who also loves to dwell on those bright topics. Oh yes, it's Lee Zeldin, the 2022 Republican candidate for New York Governor! The “rising” crime in New York was a centerpiece of his campaign, and nowhere is it more evident than in Zeldin’s only televised debate with our now-reelected governor, Kathy Hochul. It's impossible to ignore the glimmer in Zeldin's eyes as he talks about locking up all those criminals.

2022 New York Gubernatorial Debate

Supercut length: 3:30

Total mentions of crime/criminals: 23
  -Zeldin mentions of crime/criminals: 17
  -Hochul mentions of crime/criminals: 4

Total mentions of bail: 7
  -Zeldin mentions of bail: 3
  -Hochul mentions of bail: 2

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Hochul Rally

When Hochul is speaking on her own terms, what does she shine the spotlight on? It turns out she's got quite a bit to say about gun violence.

Supercut length: 0:45

All speakers
Mentions of crime/criminals: 3
Mentions of bail: 1
Mentions of guns: 7

Hochul
Mentions of crime/criminals: 1
Mentions of bail: 0
Mentions of guns: 4

✴

Zeldin Rally

Finally, let’s make a quick stop in Staten Island to bear witness to an energetic rally stop for Zeldin! Prosecute crime!

Supercut length: 2:24

All speakers
Mentions of crime/criminals: 37
Mentions of bail: 8
Mentions of guns: 0

Zeldin
Mentions of crime/criminals: 8
Mentions of bail: 1
Mentions of guns: 0

Ever Heard of a Dog-Whistle?

Learn about how Republicans stoked fear of crime to win votes in the most recent election. This political strategy of whipping up public fervor over perceived crime waves and other racially coded topics is a time-honored tradition here in the good old U.S. of A.

Not To Be Trusted: Dangerous Levels of Inaccuracy in TV Crime Reporting in NYC - Color of Change
”Crime is Surging (in Fox News Coverage)” - Washington Post
”The NYC Media Might Have Cost Democrats the House” - New York Magazine
”How blood-and-guts headlines propelled Republicans in New York” - Politico