Areas of Common Ground
Despite partisan divides, most Americans agree on these key points:
- âś“Everyone deserves to live in a safe community free from crime
- âś“Both police and communities they serve deserve respect and protection
- âś“Violent criminals should face serious consequences
+ 7 more areas of agreement below
What's the Challenge?
Americans across the political spectrum want safe communities, but disagree on how to achieve them. The 'defund the police' vs. 'law and order' debate obscures common ground on criminal justice reform. While crime rates have fluctuated—with violent crime declining overall from 1990s peaks but spiking during the pandemic—perception of crime often differs from reality. Communities of color face both higher crime victimization and more negative police interactions. Effective public safety requires both accountability and adequate resources.
Where Most Americans Agree
Everyone deserves to live in a safe community free from crime
Both police and communities they serve deserve respect and protection
Violent criminals should face serious consequences
Police misconduct should be investigated and punished
Mental health crises often require specialized response, not just police
Addiction treatment can be more effective than incarceration for non-violent offenders
Poverty and lack of opportunity contribute to crime
Victims of crime deserve support and justice
Police departments need proper training, standards, and accountability
Community investment and crime prevention matter as much as enforcement
Source: Pew Research Center 2024, Police Reform Polling
Current Perspectives from Both Sides
Understanding the full debate requires hearing what each side actually argues—not caricatures or strawmen.
Progressive Perspective
- •Systemic racism in policing leads to disproportionate violence against Black and brown communities
- •Mass incarceration has failed and destroyed families without making communities safer
- •Police departments need fundamental reform including accountability, training, and demilitarization
- •Investing in jobs, education, and social services prevents crime more effectively than prisons
- •Cash bail system keeps poor people in jail while wealthy criminals go free
- •War on Drugs has been racist, destructive, and must end
Conservative Perspective
- •Defund the police rhetoric and soft-on-crime policies have made cities more dangerous
- •Prosecutors who refuse to enforce laws enable criminals and betray victims
- •Strict enforcement and tough sentencing deter crime and protect law-abiding citizens
- •Police are heroes who risk their lives daily, not the enemy
- •Bail reform puts dangerous criminals back on streets to reoffend
- •Crime is a choice—criminals must face consequences, not excuses
These represent current talking points from each side of the political spectrum. Understanding both perspectives is essential for productive dialogue.
Evidence-Based Facts
Violent crime rates are down 49% from 1993 peaks, though up slightly from 2019
Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report
Over 60% of crimes go unreported to police according to victim surveys
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics National Crime Victimization Survey
U.S. incarceration rate is highest in the world: 629 per 100,000 population
Source: Prison Policy Initiative
Black Americans are victimized by violent crime at higher rates than other groups
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics
Police officers have one of the most dangerous jobs, with 60,000+ assaults annually
Learn More
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Comprehensive crime statistics and criminal justice data
U.S. Department of Justice
Police Executive Research Forum
Research and best practices in policing and public safety
PERF
Brennan Center for Justice
Research on criminal justice reform and evidence-based policy
Brennan Center
Questions for Thoughtful Debate
What police reforms improve both accountability and public safety?
How do we address violent crime while reducing mass incarceration?
What's the right balance between enforcement and prevention investment?
How should mental health crises and addiction be handled?
What can reduce crime without relying solely on police and prisons?
How do we rebuild trust between police and communities of color?
What criminal justice policies have the best evidence of effectiveness?