New York State undertook its first public opinion survey on criminal justice issues during October and November of 1987. A total of 1,000 people randomly selected from throughout the State participated in a telephone survey. Respondents were much more likely to believe that crime had increased statewide rather than in their neighborhoods during the 12 months preceding the survey. Almost all of the respondents reported that their primary source of information about crime and the criminal justice system was the news media. The majority of people in New York State felt relatively safe out alone in their neighborhoods both during the day and at night. Females, nonwhites, Hispanics, and those 65 years of age or older felt less safe out alone at night in their neighborhoods. Perceptions of neighborhood safety were associated with neighborhood victimizations; however, neighborhood "quality of life" was more strongly associated with perceptions of neighborhood safety than victimization. The perceived threat of crime motivated many respondents to take measures to protect both themselves and their households during the 12 months prior to the survey. 11 notes, 4 tables, and figures