"I have come to believe that a system that cannot reassess its own decisions risks losing sight of its purpose: to hold people accountable, to protect the public and to ensure that punishment remains fair and proportionate over time."
-Algis Baliunas, a former tough-on-crime prosecutor
Voters want better policing, not more policing. And they know that police can't be a one-size-fits-all solution to every social problem.
Check out our NEW interactive webpage to see how voters in 2026 are thinking about policing, based on Vera Action polling and research. ⬇️
Under AG Pam Bondi, the DOJ abruptly and illegally terminated ~$820 million in funding for safety programs that support causes such as violence prevention, law enforcement training, victim services, and youth justice.
Her time leading the Department of Justice made all of us less safe.
94 percent of Democratic voters support providing government-funded attorneys for everyone who cannot afford one, including people in immigration court.
The conventional political wisdom about crime is out of sync with what voters want.
In poll after poll, a majority of voters favor a "serious about safety" approach—bringing together evidence-backed policies to deliver safety—over a "tough on crime" one.
Got questions? Our website has answers:
New York City Public Advocate @jumaane.bsky.social on the creation of the Office of Community Safety: "We can't be focused, as leaders, on simply looking to be 'tough on crime.' We have to be serious about safety."
Last week, @mayor.nyc.gov Zohran Mamdani announced the creation of the Office of Community Safety (OCS), a step toward his campaign promise to address real concerns about crime.
Comprehensive investments—not "tough on crime" band-aids—will deliver real safety for New Yorkers.
"This new approach — backed by both evidence and polling — is to be 'serious about safety.' This means delivering strong, accountable policing to solve serious crimes; investing in schools, jobs, housing and treatment; and targeting illegal guns to prevent crime and break its cycle."
Crime is down. Trump doesn't deserve credit.
"Instead of letting Trump run through his well-worn playbook and continue to dictate the politics of crime, Democrats must go on offense," writes incoming Vera Action president Insha Rahman for @thehill.com Opinion: thehill.com/opinion/crim...
Today, Vera Institute of Justice and Vera Action (@veraaction.bsky.social) name Insha Rahman as its next president and director.
Trump mentioned the 2025 murder rate being at the lowest level in 125 years. While we don’t have final numbers, there’s a good chance this is true.
But Trump doesn't deserve credit. A 🧵
Ahead of tonight's State of the Union address, we need to be clear about the false narrative that Trump’s aggressive crackdowns are the reason crime is down. His administration's militarized invasions of U.S. cities and immigration raids are about power, not safety. 🧵
Voters want to see investments that reduce harm, stabilize communities, and ensure accountability.
For an agenda that champions the shared values of safety, accountability, and justice, look here:
Pie chart from a May 2025 national survey commissioned by Vera Action that shows how a "serious about safety" approach beats a "tough on crime" approach by 20 points among voters.
Vera Action’s 40+ rounds of polling and research consistently show that a majority of Americans—including Independents—prefer leaders who are "serious about safety," not reflexively "tough-on-crime."
The platform is organized around six core planks:
🚔 Strong, Accountable Policing
👐 Ending the Overdose Crisis
🧠 Strong Mental Health and De-Escalating Crisis
🧡 Ending Gun Violence
🏙️ Safe Streets and a Good Quality of Life
⚖️ A Fairer, More Accountable Justice System
It’s time for a new paradigm on safety.
Today, we’re releasing a policy agenda that outlines real, proven solutions to counter crime fearmongering, rebuild trust with voters, and deliver safety people can feel in their daily lives. 🧵
Read it here:
Voters aren't buying it.
Vera Action research from November shows that 60% want to fully fund things that are proven to create safe communities—like good schools, jobs, and affordable housing. They prefer this approach OVER a "tough on crime" one.
Last year, the Trump administration terminated nearly $820 million in grants to successful public safety programs.
Meanwhile, Trump is trying to give himself credit for declining crime rates—a trend that's been going on for years.
Trump says that he wants to bring crime down. But his administration is undermining crime prevention policies that actually work. One example? The dramatic cuts to reentry programs that help former prisoners find housing, jobs, and health care. My latest: www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/09/o...
Americans agree: Trump's agenda of mass deportations and aggressive law enforcement tactics are making us less safe.
"Driving this is Americans’ belief that Mr. Trump’s policies are not delivering on the safety and security he promised — in fact, now quite the opposite."
If we want this progress to continue, it's important to tell the right story about what's working to keep us safe.
President Trump is trying to take credit for declining crime rates nationwide.
But this is a trend that's been happening for years and is a result of a range of investments in community violence intervention, economic opportunity, treatment for addiction and mental health, and much more.
The anger people feel toward this administration provides an opportunity for Democrats to rebuild credibility among voters on crime and immigration issues.
But tacking to the right won't work—what's needed is an affirmative agenda on safety, accountability, and justice.
The violence and chaos surrounding Trump's immigration crackdown—including the killing of Renee Good—has Americans outraged.
Democrats should focus on contrasting Trump's dangerous policies with a comprehensive approach to safety and accountability.
Trump is now threatening to make an unprecedented move in Minneapolis: invoking the Insurrection Act to punish protesters using military force.
In December, we explained how the Supreme Court opened the door for this to happen on @hesnotwrong.bsky.social:
"Biden officials also expanded public health and addiction treatment programs widely credited with helping save tens of thousands of lives a year. What's baffling to drug policy experts . . . is that Biden and Harris never told that story to the American public."
Expanded investments in public health and addiction treatments under President Biden led to big gains in reducing fentanyl deaths.
But Biden and Harris allowed Trump to out-message them on fentanyl, with sweeping consequences for U.S. drug policy, public safety, and health, per @npr.org:
"New York City policymakers have made enormous strides toward creating a safer city. Building on that work calls for careful, focused attention on specific public safety challenges and the unique needs of the largest U.S. city."
