The public safety policy area contains data on the prevalence of a range of crimes categorized by the FBI. Public safety is crucial to maintaining social connectedness in communities, and is usually an important issue for all families and individuals. A number of factors can influence the prevalence of crime in an area, including access to housing, food, and employment; income inequality and poverty; and the effectiveness of education systems. Safety policy is affected by federal and state lawmakers and judges when they define and prosecute crimes, as well as local governments who oversee police forces.