Crime and public safety expectations
Large shares of Americans expect crime rates to rise and view crime policy as an area of partisan contrast heading into 2026. Public safety remains a core state responsibility, so expectations about crime trends shape Iowa debates on policing and criminal justice priorities.
What should Iowa’s priority be on crime and public safety policy?
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Sources
Gallup — https://news.gallup.com/poll/700448/americans-predict-challenging-2026-across-dimensions.aspx
Clear majorities also expect rising unemployment, taxes, prices and crime rates, along with declining American power in the world.
Pew Research Center — https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/07/23/as-the-2026-midterms-approach-economy-is-front-and-center
Crime policy | 29 | 43 | 25 | R+14
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Shift funding from policing to prevention, diversion, and social services
- Pair accountable policing with expanded mental health and reentry programs
- Maintain current enforcement levels while tracking local crime data carefully
- Increase police staffing and prosecution focus on violent and repeat offenders
- Adopt zero-tolerance enforcement and longer mandatory sentences statewide