Final answer:
Public perception of crime rates often overestimates the actual risk, influenced by media coverage and crime shows, while statistics show a decline in violent and gun-related crimes since the 1990s.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contemporary estimates of serial killings are much lower than in the past, which aligns with the overall trend of declining crime rates in the United States since the early 1990s. Despite the decrease in violent and gun-related crimes, public perception often differs due to factors such as media influence. For instance, people tend to overestimate the probability of dying in a criminal attack because of the vivid recall of such stories in the news or from watching crime series. Surveys have shown that there is a widespread belief that crime rates are higher now than they were decades ago, even though statistics from sources like the Pew Research Center indicate otherwise. This can also contribute to a heightened fear of crime among the public.
Furthermore, the impact of high-profile events such as 9/11 and the Boston Marathon Bombing has been found to increase fear of future terrorism among those who consume a large amount of news coverage on these topics. It is important to consider these social factors when evaluating public perceptions of crime and understanding the actual trends as documented by authoritative sources.