According to a new Harris Poll, public safety is the top concern of Chicago’s voters. As the Harris CEO Will Johnson wrote in the Tribune this week, 95% of voters cited that issue. Johnson also reported that his poll showed most Chicagoans feel that our city is worse off than others when it comes to crime.
Whether that actually is the case is beside the point. That is how people in Chicago clearly feel right now and shrewd politicians know that perception has a way of becoming reality.
Whatever your race or walk of life, any conversation about the upcoming mayoral election invariably leads to a discussion of the public safety problem. So it’s not surprising that the mayoral candidates, who are busy this week with speeches, forums and joint appearances, are falling over themselves to appear tough on crime.
