Even when fear seems entirely justified, its expression can be hard to understand, inspired by so many variables. A poll conducted by The New York Times in January 1985, a few weeks after the Goetz shootings, found that half the city’s residents believed that crime was the worst thing about living in New York. A majority expressed support for what Mr. Goetz had done. In the days after the shootings, while Mr. Goetz was at large and the tabloids pumped out day after day of panic-feeding content, the “subway vigilante” emerged as a folk hero to New Yorkers. Some offered to cover his $500,000 bail (he refused); others suggested that he run for mayor.

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Persons: Leon Neyfakh’s, “ Fiasco, Bernhard Goetz, Dennis Kenney, Goetz, ”, Joan Rivers Organizations: The New York Times, New Yorkers Locations: New York, New, New Hampshire, Rikers