Crime and Public Safety in 2028
Violent crime rates, policing reform, criminal justice policy, and the debate over public safety approaches.
Violent crime rates rose sharply in some cities in the early 2020s before moderating, but public concern about safety remained elevated. The debate over policing reform that intensified after 2020 produced a lasting political divide over how to balance accountability for law enforcement with concerns about public safety.
Criminal justice reform - including reducing incarceration, addressing racial disparities in sentencing, and investing in prevention - became a legislative priority in many states, though some jurisdictions reversed course in response to crime concerns.
Retail crime, car theft, and drug-related crime - particularly the fentanyl epidemic - added additional dimensions to a public safety debate that extends well beyond violent crime rates.
Why it matters in 2028
Crime and public safety consistently rank high in voter priorities, and the framing of who is responsible for unsafe conditions will be heavily contested in 2028. Candidates will need clear positions on policing, prosecution, sentencing, and the social conditions that contribute to crime.
How each party frames crime and public safety
A neutral summary of each party's general governing approach. Individual 2028 candidates will differ - no nominee has been chosen yet.
Democratic approach
Democrats broadly support criminal justice reform alongside investments in public safety - more community policing, better police training, mental health crisis response, and addressing root causes like poverty and housing. Many in the party support reducing mandatory minimum sentences and reforming cash bail, while opposing mass incarceration as a solution. There is internal debate about the proper balance between reform and enforcement, particularly after crime increases in some cities.
Republican approach
Republicans broadly emphasize law-and-order policing and prosecutorial approaches to public safety. The party tends to oppose what it characterizes as soft-on-crime policies, including reduced bail, limited prosecution of certain offenses, and reductions in police funding. Many Republicans link crime to immigration enforcement as well. The party often emphasizes personal responsibility and victim rights in criminal justice discussions.
What voters ask about crime and public safety
- What would candidates do to reduce violent crime in cities?
- Do candidates support or oppose bail reform and sentencing changes?
- How should police departments be funded and reformed?
- What is the connection between the fentanyl/drug crisis and public safety?
- How would candidates address racial disparities in the criminal justice system?
Other 2028 issues
How 2028 candidates plan to manage economic growth, consumer prices, and the cost of living.
Border enforcement, legal immigration pathways, and the future of undocumented immigrants already in the U.S.
Federal and state abortion policy after the Supreme Court returned the issue to state legislatures in 2022.
Health insurance coverage, drug prices, and the long-running debate over the structure of the American health system.
Federal tax policy, including the expiring provisions of the 2017 tax law and disputes over who pays what.
Employment levels, minimum wage, union rights, and the future of work in an era of automation and AI.