The advertising on television news is a major revenue source for local television stations. Crime news draws viewers. The decision by advertising directors and programming managers of television stations to highlight news of crime is the leading factor in creating the false impression that America is getting more violent and that the crime rate is increasing. The second factor in the increased prominence of crime as the nation's leading problem is that the cold war has ended, international tensions are reduced, and the economy is very strong. Unemployment is low, interest rates are low, and Wall Street is reaching historic highs.
Crime is relatively a more serious problem.
When politicians vote for mandatory sentencing they are trying to convince the public they are doing something dramatic about what the public is afraid of. Legislators can actually do very little directly to convince the public that they are doing something about crime. Council members can't arrest criminals like the police chief, flanked by the Mayor. Council members can't announce indictments like the U.S. Attorney. Council members can't announce a guilty verdict at a trial like a judge.