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More on that new media poll
Thursday, Feb 9, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller * Some background on this poll is here if you need it. Not a good thing…  From the story…
* As a friend of mine said this morning, you gotta love to see false choices amplified by the news media…  The question leads us nowhere. I mean, people say that relations between the police and the community are negative. Obviously, they don’t want more of that. But, yes, they are sick of the crime and want it reduced. That question doesn’t tell us how. I know I always say voters don’t do nuance, but that doesn’t mean that the news media should be the same way. And when you talk to Chicagoans and read good polls and speak to people who go door to door during campaigns, Chicagoans generally appear to have more nuanced views on crime than the news media. * Apparently, violence prevention programs didn’t make the pollster’s cut…  * And this question is so broadly worded that you could interpret the results in any number of ways…  Anyway, discuss.
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- RNUG - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 10:43 am:
That last question, about the criminal justice system, really needed a follow-up of: is the system too harsh or too lax? Lacking that context, the results are meaningless.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 10:43 am:
There are a lot of false choice questions. The poll does seem to confirm what I think should be the headline. Chicagoans are very concerned about crime and public safety, but have different views about how to address it.
- Old time Independent - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 10:43 am:
Lightfoot is going to need a miracle in order to be re-elected is what I get out of it.
- not so fast - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 10:54 am:
I’m not sure I agree at all Old Time Independent.
Yes, her numbers are underwater but I’m not sure which candidate in the field can beat her one-on-one.
I think Chuy could do it, but at this point I’m not confident at all about him making it to a runoff.
- Amalia - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 11:06 am:
the asks could have been more complete and included violence prevention programs (although I’m not sure there is complete agreement on what those are). the way out of the dilemma is a both/and but that is rarely what is the position of, say, a candidate. Map crime by type of crime. solve by type of crime by area where the crime is concentrated. Some areas of the city are completely murder free, others deep concentrations. strategies differ. a poll can’t define with nuance.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 11:11 am:
The question, “Which of the following do you feel would be the most effective method to reduce crime in Chicago?” is a telling one.
If carjacking and armed robbery are gang activities (and I don’t know if they are), there’s no choice stating “break up gangs.”
The answer “Not sure” seems to be what the CPD might say. With the best anti-crime experts applying their experience and using studies on successful crime-stopping programs in other major cities, CPD can’t seem to make headway.
These poll results are just more of the same. People polled can only offer opinions with the choices given them.
Even if there were more choices in the poll answers, the average citizen has no more idea how to reduce crime than the experts do.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 11:13 am:
===the way out of the dilemma is a both/and but that is rarely what is the position of, say, a candidate.===
Sophia King seems to say this. She does not have the resources and has not engaged in the petty bomb throwing, so the media has not paid much attention to her.
- H-W - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 11:24 am:
I am surprised Mason-Dixon ran those questions. The organization has a long history, and a strong reputation. In this case however, the questions suggest either (a) the organization purchasing the poll did not allow Mason-Dixon to help tailor the questions, or (b) the people working at Mason-Dixon are not as well trained as in the past.
As you note, the question about either (a) reducing crime or (b) reforming the criminal justice system are not mutually exclusive, nor is the question exhaustive. Adding “unsure” does not exactly eliminate the exhaustive criterion.
- Amalia - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 11:24 am:
@Three Dimensional Checkers, have not heard much from Sophia, but do remember, yes, that she says this. Seems like a very nice person, Sawyer too.
- The Truth - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 11:53 am:
==Sophia King seems to say this. She does not have the resources and has not engaged in the petty bomb throwing, so the media has not paid much attention to her.==
It’ll be interesting to see if she can make a push, as she’s only just this week gone up with her ads. Saw her with Tahman Bradley last night, and I think she comported herself well and delivered a point of view that’s at least somewhat different than the other eight candidates.
Money and prior name recognition might be all that matters with just three weeks remaining, though.
- MisterJayEm - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 12:09 pm:
“Chicagoans generally appear to have more nuanced views on crime than the news media.”
Part of the issue is that much of the audience targeted by Chicago news media’s advertisers exists outside of the city of Chicago — and those folks prefer news media affirmation of their decision to live outside the city over nuance, e.g. “Look at the awful things happening in The City,” he said before patting himself on the back for not living in The City.
The Chicago news media informs the suburbanites’ view of The City and the suburbanites’ view of The City informs the Chicago news media’s coverage which informs etc. etc. etc.
The vicious cycle has gone on long enough that it’s impossible to determine how it started, but it would sure be nice if it ended.
– MrJM
- levivotedforjudy - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 4:07 pm:
There is a massive amount of federal workforce funding coming from the American Rescue Plan (it may be on the street already) with more on the way. Scratch that off the checklist. Next, what is the plan to use it to impact crime?
- Politix - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 4:22 pm:
On the contrary, offering job training, increasing economic opportunity, and providing trauma-informed mental health care and other services are violence prevention program priorities.
- Boone's is Back - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 4:29 pm:
===Yes, her numbers are underwater but I’m not sure which candidate in the field can beat her one-on-one.===
All of them. All of them could beat her in a runoff. And that includes Willie Wilson.