NCJ Number
167020
Date Published
1995
Length
22 pages
Annotation
A survey conducted in 1995 by the Austin, Tex. Police Department measured citizens' perceptions of crime, safety, the quality of police service, mobility in their neighborhood, quality of life in their neighborhood, and where they obtained information about police.
Abstract
The survey was part of the department's ongoing community policing initiative and aimed to measure changes in citizen perceptions of safety and the quality of police services. Information was collected by means of interviews of 2,200 people. Results revealed that most citizens were satisfied with the quality of the Austin Police Department; satisfaction percentages were similar to those of 1994. In addition, five of the nine items in the perception of safety index increased by more than 3 percent; only one item decreased from the 1994 survey results. Findings suggested that the police department should continue its grassroots efforts in community policing, because these efforts are clearly having positive impacts on citizen perceptions of safety and the quality of police service. In addition, the agency should provide information to the public that addresses citizen expectations about the promptness of police services and should consider using focus groups to improve its understanding of citizen expectations regarding officer promptness. Tables and figures