Professor Caterina Roman has recently had a policy essay published in Vital City. Professor Roman writes that, in the 2024 election season, political ads stoked fear by falsely depicting rising crime and lawlessness, feeding into widespread anxiety. She argues that fear of crime, driven more by emotion than reality, fuels harmful policies and behaviors that hurt public health, erode trust, and distort perceptions of crime. The solution lies in reshaping the narrative by highlighting the true decline in violence and promoting evidence-based policies. Consistent narratives highlighting successes in reducing violence and increasing clearance rates will help restore public confidence and reduce the harmful effects of fear. You can read her full essay, On Fear Itself.