American Crime Survey

The primary goal of this research study is to provide information about people's experiences with crime at the local level. Currently, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) uses the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) to collect information about crime from victims. However, NCVS only supports statistics at the national level, not the local level.

The American Crime Survey research project will be used to help develop and evaluate a cost effective supplement to the core NCVS. These neighborhood data will help BJS and law enforcement better understand the counts and rates of crime at the local level.

The American Crime Survey includes a mail survey that asks residents to provide information about whether they have been a victim of crime. This survey is being conducted in several Metropolitan Areas. If we are able to successfully create estimates of crime victimization in these areas, BJS will introduce the American Crime Survey to other major cities in the U.S.

Please see BJS's National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) page for more information.

If you have questions about the American Crime Survey, you can call our research contractor (Westat) at 1-855-863-6354. If you would like general information about Westat, you can visit the Westat website.