Citizen Attitude Survey (From Comprehensive Evaluation of Phase One of the Virginia Beach, Virginia Police Department's Integrated Criminal Apprehension Program, P 121-153, 1980, by Wolfgang Pindur et al - See NCJ-73102)

• NCJ Number: 73106
• Author(s): W Pindur; A Nadkarni; J Jones
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 34 pages
• Grant Number(s): 78-DF-AX-0195
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; Virginia Beach Division of Police
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NCJ-73106 is available on microfiche as NCJ-73102.

Annotation

A telephone survey of a random sample of 331 Virginia Beach, Va., residents was conducted during May and June 1979, to determine the citizens' attitudes toward the police department.

Abstract

The survey was part of a larger evaluation of the department's Integrated Criminal Apprehension Program, which was designed to upgrade the patrol system, focus efforts on serious crimes and crimes committed by serious offenders, and increase citizen satisfaction with the department. The interviews used a 28-item questionnaire. The survey sample was a proportional stratified random sample of households from all regions of the city. Results showed that the citizens had very positive attitudes toward the Virginia Beach Police Department. The Commonwealth's Attorney Office and the courts were less positively evaluated than were the police department. Most citizens did not change their satisfaction levels during the year. Most citizens felt safe in neighborhoods both day and night and perceived no law enforcement problems in Virginia Beach. Analysis of attitudes by socioeconomic background showed that black citizens were somewhat less satisfied than older, higher-income, and less-educated citizens. Most citizens perceived no change in overall police performance on other aspects of law enforcement over the last year. Suggestions for improving law enforcement included more manpower and pay, more uniformity in arrests and sentencing, less lenient and more consistent court sentences, better relations with the public, and the spending of less time on minor offenses. (Author abstract modified)