Regarding the graph of perception, it shows "% saying there is more crime in the US than a year ago." That's more like an estimate of slope than an estimate o

Regarding the graph of perception, it shows "% saying there is more crime in the US than a year ago." That's more like an estimate of slope than an estimate of number of crimes. Also, if you drill down to the Pew image, and count years/tick marks, the year perception turned from downward to upward was 2001, which I believe is not a mere coincidence. Increasing awareness of more distant crimes through social networks and the aging of the baby boomer generation may also contribute to the increased perception of growth.