A national crime survey for the years 1975-1988 reported that the percentage of households touched by crime had:

The correct answer indicates that the percentage of households affected by crime decreased by 23 percent from 1975 to 1988. This finding is significant as it points to a trend in crime rates during that period, suggesting that overall crime may have been declining, leading to fewer households experiencing crime.

Understanding crime trends is vital for formulating community safety approaches and for evaluating the effectiveness of existing crime prevention initiatives during those years. A decrease in the percentage of households impacted may reflect improvements in law enforcement practices, community engagement, or socio-economic factors contributing to lower crime rates. Analyzing national crime survey data helps security professionals assess risks and plan strategies for future crime prevention and public safety efforts.