Investigation Discovery (ID) today released the results of a Nielsen Content online study that reveals how safe Americans feel in their own neighborhoods. The survey found that more than half (51 percent) of people polled feel not very safe in their neighborhoods and, what's more, over one quarter (27 percent) are suspicious that their neighbors could actually be criminals. Americans' PERCEPTION of safety may be off from reality, though. Poll takers named Alaska (25 percent) among states that are home to the least dangerous neighbors when, in fact, Alaska has the second highest violent crime rate in the U.S., according to the most recent estimates released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.* Unfortunately some Americans learn the hard way, like those who unwittingly found themselves dealing with a NIGHTMARE NEXT DOOR on the new season of ID's FEAR THY NEIGHBOR, premiering tonight, Monday, April 13 at 10/9c.
Nearly one in ten of those polled have felt the need to spy on their neighbors in an attempt to catch them committing a crime. Their favorite ways to play detective are peering through the window shades (71 percent) and monitoring their neighbors' comings and goings (72 percent). The good news is that, according to poll results, ID viewers take safety very seriously and take a more active role in protecting their neighborhoods. More than one-third (39 percent) of people polled who watch ID once or more per week say they belong to their neighborhood watch association, well above non-viewers at only 15 percent. People who watch ID are more suspicious and even resort to using binoculars to get a closer look at their neighbors' behavior. When suspicion turns to reality, not all Americans are easily scared off. The survey of 800 men and women aged 18+ showed that nearly one quarter (22 percent) of those polled know their neighbors have been arrested for criminal behavior, specifically theft (32 percent) and violent behavior or assault (27 percent), yet choose to remain in the neighborhood. They may want to keep their guard up at the next summer block party.Videos