2011 Greensboro Police Community Survey

Final Report
Prepared by: 5500 Executive Center Drive, Suite 126 Charlotte, North Carolina 28212 704-332-8433
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MW# 3-11-3-1 (463)

Table of Contents
Objectives Methodology Rating Scales and Analysis Sample Size and Margin of Error Summary at a Glance Summary and Conclusions Results for Total Sample
Issues Facing Greensboro Police Department Perceptions of the Greensboro Police Department Perceptions of Crime and Safety in Neighborhoods Perceptions of Crime and Safety in City of Greensboro Overall Perceptions of GPD Among Victims of Non-Violent Crimes Perceptions of GPD Among Victims of Violent Crimes Perceptions of GPD Among Those Who Have Had Contact for Reasons Other than a Crime GPD Website Respondent Recommendations and Suggestions Respondent Profile
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3 4 5 6 7 10 23
24 26 33 40 44 48 52 55 58

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Objectives

Measure perceptions of the GPD Explore perceptions of crime, safety, and effectiveness of the GPD Quantify awareness of the Community Resource Team Examine perceptions of GPD among victims Examine use and perceptions of the GPD Website

Methodology
401 telephone interviews were completed between April 25 and May 24, 2011, with adult residents of Greensboro, NC. A random digit dial (RDD) sample of landline telephone numbers and a RDD cell phone sample were purchased from Survey Sampling, Inc. The sample was stratified by the four GPD Divisions which were defined by zip codes. If zip codes crossed into more than one Division, streets and other landmarks were used to help place respondents into the correct Division. At least 100 interviews were completed in each Division.
To qualify for the survey, respondents had to live within the City limits of Greensboro. The questionnaire was translated into Spanish and a biligual interviewer conducted the interview in Spanish for residents who did not speak English. 29 interviews (7%) were conducted with persons of Hispanic ancestry. Interviews lasted 14 minutes on average.
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Rating Scales and Analysis

To measure perceptions, respondents used rating scales from 1 to 10. With a 10-point scale there is no exact mid-point. Ratings of 5 and 6 are equally in the middle of the scale. To simplify interpretation, data have been collapsed into categories and labeled. For example:
9,10=Very positive 7,8=Positive 5,6=Mid-scale/Average 1-4=Poor On a 10-point scale: Ratings of 1 to 4 are low/poor/negative ratings Ratings of 5 or 6 are at the middle of the scale Ratings of 7 to 10 are high/good/positive rating Responses may not add to exactly 100% due to rounding or multiple responses. Mean (or average) ratings are always calculated based on respondents who could rate, i.e., respondents who answered dont know are dropped from the base.
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Sample Size and Margin of Error

The margin of error for the total sample of 401 is + 4.9 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
Results within Divisions, with 100 respondents, has a margin of error of + 9.8 percentage points. Results based on small sample sizes should be considered qualitative, not quantitative. The sample size for victims of non-violent crimes who had the report taken by phone is 21 respondents. This sample size is too small for a reliable analysis. The sample size for victims of violent crimes who had a detective assigned to their case is only 7 respondents. This sample size is too small for reliable analysis.

Summary at a Glance

Summary at a Glance
Questions using 10-point rating scale, where 1=low/negative/disagree and 10=high/positive/agree
Mean Ratings of Total Respondents (n=401) Mean Ratings by Division (n=100 per division) Dont know responses dropped from base
Q7. Overall impression of GPD Q9 . GP are courteous Q10. GP are professional Q11. GP perform job with integrity and honesty Q12. GP are responsive to community issues Q13. GP treat all residents with respect Q14. GP use good judgment in use of force Q19. GP are effective in making neighborhood safe

Total Sample
7.1 7.7 7.8 7.5 7.4 7.2 7.3 7.8

E 7.1 7.6 7.7 7.4 7.3 7.1 7.1 7.8

S 6.7 7.1 7.5 7.2 7.0 7.1 7.1 7.6

C 7.3 8.1 7.7 7.5 7.6 7.4 7.4 7.8

W 7.3 8.0 8.2 7.7 7.6 7.3 7.6 8.1

Q20. I am safe in neighborhood where I live

Q27. GP are effective in making City safe Q28. City has adequate number of police

8.1
7.5 6.3

8.1
7.5 6.6

7.7
7.5 6.2

8.1
7.6 6.1

8.6
7.6 6.3

Q29. Need for police in City has increased in past year Q30. Greensboro is a safe place to live
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7.9 7.7

8.1 7.8

8.4 7.6

7.5 7.5

7.6 7.8

Summary at a Glance
The following results are based on small segments of the total sample. Sampling error is high for small samples. The results are suggestive and should be interpreted cautiously.
Victims of Non-Violent Crime: Perceptions of Telephone Response Unit * Note: Base is too small for a reliable analysis.
Q36. Response time (n=20) Q37. Showing concern for you and your situation (n=21) Q38. Asking appropriate questions (n=21) Q39. Treating you courteously and respectfully (n=20) Q40. Setting correct expectations for what would happen next (n=19) Q41. Overall satisfaction with TRU (n=20) Mean 6.9 6.1 6.6 6.8 6.4 6.2

Respondents Who Have Had Contact with GPD for Emergency Not Involving Crime
Q49. Satisfaction with Interaction (n=59) Respondents Who Have Had Contact with GPD for Reasons that Do Not Involve a Crime or Emergency Q51. Satisfaction with interaction (n=66) Respondents Who Have Visited GPD Website Q54. Rating of Website (n=50)

Mean
8.2 Mean 7.8 Mean 6.8

Summary and Conclusions

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Summary
In order to determine issues in an unbiased manner, respondents were asked to name the biggest issues facing the GPD. This question was asked first to get top of mind answers without influence from survey questions. The results show that no single issue dominated mentions. The issues mentioned most frequently are: Reducing crime (15%) Drugs and drug related crimes (11%) Need for more police presence (10%) Gangs (9%) Violent crime (7%) Racial issues (7%) Budget cuts (6%) Credibility and trust issues (5%)

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Summary
The results show that 70% of total respondents have a positive overall impression of the GPD (i.e., give ratings of 7 to 10, on a 10-point scale). Only 13% of total respondents give low ratings (ratings of 1 to 4, on a10-point scale).
Most respondents (70% or more of total respondents) indicate the Greensboro Police are courteous and professional, perform job with integrity and honesty, are responsive to community issues, treat all residents with respect, and use good judgment in the use of physical force. Respondents believe it is more important for the GPD to reflect the community on race/ethnicity than gender, although the majority believe both are important. Less than half of respondents believe the GPD reflects the community on gender, and only half believe it reflects on race/ethnicity.
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Summary
The majority of respondents get information about crime and safety issues related to Greensboro from TV or newspapers.
More than 75% of total respondents (and more than 70% of respondents in each Police Division) believe the GPD is effective in making their neighborhood safe. 85% of total respondents (and at least 75% of respondents in each Police Division) believe they are safe in the neighborhood where they live. Break-ins, burglary and theft are the primary crime and safety concerns for neighborhoods, regardless of Police Division.

Only 16% of total respondents believe their neighborhood is less safe than a year ago.
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Summary
41% of total respondents say their neighborhood has a Neighborhood Association, Crime Watch or holds meetings related to crime prevention.

28% of total respondents are aware of the Greensboro Police Community Resource Team.
Respondents in the Southern Division are more likely to be aware than those in other divisions. Word of mouth, news media (Newspaper, TV) and Neighborhood Watch/Homeowner Association meetings are the primary ways people became aware of the CRT.

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Summary
75% of total respondents (and at least 70% of respondents in each Police Division) believe the GPD is effective in making the City of Greensboro safer.
78% of total respondents (and at least 75% of respondents in each Police Division) believe Greensboro is a safe place to live. Despite the high ratings on being safe: A quarter of respondents believe the City of Greensboro is less safe than a year ago. Almost 80% of total respondents believe the need for police in Greensboro has increased in the past year and only half agree Greensboro has enough police. The primary crime and safety concerns for the City of Greensboro are drugs, break-ins/burglary/theft, violent crime, and gang activity.
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Summary
13% of total respondents indicate they or another member of their household was a victim of a non-violent crime that took place in Greensboro, during the past 12 months. Among total respondents, 12%, reported the crime to the GPD.
Only 5% of total respondents (n=21) used the Telephone Reporting Unit. This sample size is too small for a reliable assessment of the Unit. However, the results suggest that attention should be given to improving the service.

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Summary
Only 5% of total respondents indicated they or another member of their household was a victim of a violent crime that took place in Greensboro, during the past 12 months. Among total respondents, 4% reported the violent crime to the GPD.
Only 2% of total respondents (n=7) were violent crime victims who reported the crime to the GPD and had a Detective assigned to their case. This sample size is too small for a reliable assessment of Detectives.

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Summary
15% of respondents indicated that during the past 12 months they had contact with the GPD for an emergency that did not involve a crime. A strong majority of these respondents (82%) were satisfied with the interaction.
17% of respondents indicate that during the past 12 months they have had contact with the GPD for a reason that did not involve a crime or an emergency. A strong majority of these respondents (79%) were satisfied with the interaction.

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Summary
77% of respondents have access to the Internet.
Among respondents with Internet access, 16% had visited the GPD Website.

Among those who visited the site, 60% rated the site good, 20% rated it average, and only 10% rated it poor.

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Conclusions
The survey indicates that the majority of residents in the City of Greensboro have a positive opinion of the GPD and the majority believe the GPD has been effective in making neighborhoods and the City safe.
More than half of all racial/ethnic groups give the GPD positive ratings on all performance measures. However, the findings do indicate some tension between the GPD and minority residents. Compared to White respondents, African Americans and other minorities give the GPD significantly lower ratings, particularly on treating all residents with respect and using good judgment in the use of physical force. (About 20% of African Americans give low ratings on these two issues.)

The findings indicate that officers and other police representatives need to be sensitive to these perceptions and work to gain the confidence of minority residents.
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Conclusions
Although there was a very small sample of respondents who had called the TRU, the data suggest that improving response time and providing more interpersonal response training to those who take calls and make calls to victims is warranted.
Only a few respondents were victims of violent crimes who had a detective assigned to their case. The limited data suggest that attention should also be given to how detectives interact with victims.

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Conclusions
Survey respondents did a good job providing relevant recommendations and suggestions for ways to improve the GPD. Top recommendations included: Have more police presence, more patrols, more bike patrols Act like you care Work more with Community Watch organizations Improve response time Be more pro-active in high crime areas, worry about serious crime Treat all races equally Get rid of bad cops

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Results for Total Sample

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Issues Facing Greensboro Police Department

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What are the biggest issues facing the Greensboro Police Department? (Q6)
Unaided, Multiple Answers Allowed Total Respondents (n=401)
Don't know
Reducing crime Drugs/ Drug crimes More presence/ patrols No issues Gangs Racism Violent crime Budget cuts Trust issues
0%
25

19%

15%
11% 10% 10% 9% 7% 7%
Mentions of less than 5% are not shown.

6% 5%
50%

Perceptions of the Greensboro Police Department

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Overall Impression of the GPD (Q7)

Total Sample Dont know responses dropped from base (n=392)

Mean

2011

28%

42%

17%

13%

7.1

0%

20%

40%
7,8=Positive

60%
5,6=Mid-scale
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80%

100%

9,10=Very Positive

1-4=Total Negative

30% of the total sample gave an impression rating of 6 or lower to the GPD.
These respondents were asked Why? (Q8) Unaided, Multiple Answers Allowed
% of Respondents Who Rated 1 to 6 (n=119) % of Total Sample Who Rated 1 to 6 (n=401)

Negative experience Some officers good, some bad Mean, make fun of people 11% 9% 9% 9% 9%

18%

5% 3%

3%
3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 1%
50%

Rude, bad attitude

Poor response time Not helpful They are racist Don't know Could do better Crooked officers get promoted 0%
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8%
8% 6% 5%

Perceptions of the GPD (Q9-Q14)

Total Sample Dont know responses dropped from base

Greensboro Police . . . Q9. Are courteous, n=390 Q10. Are professional, n=385 Q11. Perform job w/ integrity and honesty, n=380 Q12. Are responsive to community issues, n=382 Q13. Treat all residents with respect, n=375 Q14. Use good judgement in use of physical force, n=332
0%
9,10=Strongly agree 7,8=Agree

Mean 46% 45% 38% 37% 36% 36%

20% 40%

29% 32% 34% 36% 34% 36%

60%

14% 11% 15% 8% 18% 15% 15% 11% 11% 15%

7.7 7.8 7.5 7.4

7.2
7.3

14% 14%
80% 100%

5,6=Neutral

1-4=Total Disagree

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28% of respondents rated use of force a 6 or lower. These respondents were asked Why? (Q15)
Unaided, Multiple Answers Allowed
% of Respondents who Rated Use of Force 1 to 6 (n=94)

% of Total Sample (n=401)

Unnecessary roughness Personal experience Don't know Bad press about force

21%
19% 15% 14% 12%

5% 4% 3% 3%

Beat people for no reason

Abuse power Too quick to draw guns in Black areas 0%
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3%
3% 1% 50%

11%
6%

Importance/Performance of GPD in Reflecting Greensboro in Regard to Gender (Q16a, Q17a)

Total Sample (n=401)

Percent Responding Yes

Q16a. Is it important for GPD to reflect City in terms of gender?

57%

Q17a. Does the GPD reflect the City in terms of gender?

41%

0%
31

100%

Importance/Performance of GPD in Reflecting Greensboro in Regard to Race/Ethnicity (Q16b, Q17b)

Total Sample (n=401)

Percent Responding Yes

Q16b. Is it important for GPD to reflect City in terms of race/ethnicity?

64%

Q17b. Does the GPD reflect the City in terms of race/ethnicity?

52%

0%
32

100%

Perceptions of Crime and Safety in Neighborhoods

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Where do you get information about crime and safety issues related to the City of Greensboro? (Q18)
Unaided, Multiple Answers Allowed Total Respondents (n=401)
TV Newspaper Word of mouth 17% 15% 3% 3% 2% 2% 0%
34 Mentions of less than 2% are not shown.

64% 58%

Internet (non specific)

GPD employees Radio Community Watch

See it

100%

Agreement with Statements About Neighborhood Safety (Q19-Q20)

Total Sample
Dont know responses dropped from base
Mean

Q19. Greensboro Police are effective in making my neighborhood safe. n=389

48%

29%

13% 10%

7.8

Q20. I am safe in the neighborhood where I live. n=400

55%

30%

9% 7%

8.1

0%
9,10=Strongly agree 7,8=Agree

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5,6=Neutral

1-4=Total Disagree

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What do you believe are the primary crime and safety concerns in your neighborhood? (Q21)
Unaided, Multiple Answers Allowed Total Respondents (n=401)
Burglary, break-ins, theft Drugs No problems Assault, robbery 15% 14% 13% 12% 9% 7% 6% 5% 5% 5% 0%
36 Mentions of less than 5% are not shown.

51%

Speeding/ traffic issues

Vandalism Auto theft/ auto breakins Homeless vagrants Shootings, gun violence Juvenile delinquents Gang activity

60%

Thinking about your neighborhood, would you say it is . . . (Q22)

Total Sample (n=401)

Safer than a year ago

17%

As safe as a year ago

63%

Less safe than a year ago

Don't know 0%

16%

5%
100%

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Neighborhood Crime and Safety (Q23, Q24, Q25) Total Sample (n=401)

Percent Responding Yes

Q23. Does your neighborhood have a Neighborhood Assoc., Crime Watch, or hold meetings related to crime prevention? Q24. During the past 12 mo., have you attended neighborhood meetings related to neighborhood crime?

41%

14%

Q25. Are you aware of the Greensboro Police Community Resource Team?

28%
0%
38

100%

28% of respondents were aware of the CRT.

Those respondents were asked: What interactions have you had with the Community Resource Team? How did you become aware? (Q26) Unaided, Multiple Answers Allowed. Base = Respondents aware of CRT (n=112)
Word of mouth Newspaper,news media Neighborhood Watch Homeowner Assoc. Have one in neighborhood Posting of signs on doors Officer at an accident Found online Greensboro Night Out 0%
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30% 24%

20%
7%

4%
4% 3% 3% 3% 60% Mentions of less than 3% are not shown.

Perceptions of Crime and Safety in the City of Greensboro Overall

40

Agreement with Statements About City of Greensboro (Q27-Q30)

Total Sample Dont know responses dropped from base
Mean Q27. Greensboro Police are effective in making the City of Greensboro safer. n=391 Q28. The City of Greensboro has an adequate number of police. n=344 Q29. The need for police in the City of Greensboro has increased in the past year. n=366 Q30. In general, the City of Greensboro is a safe place to live.n=389
0%
9,10=Strongly agree 7,8=Agree

33%

42%

18% 27%

7%

7.5

27%

24%

22%

6.3
7.9 7.7

49%

30%

13% 8%

36%
20% 40%

42%
60%

17% 5%
80% 100%

5,6=Neutral

1-4=Total Disagree

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What do you believe are the primary crime and safety concerns for the City of Greensboro overall? (Q31)
Unaided, Multiple Answers Allowed Total Sample (n=401)
Drugs Break ins, burglary, theft Violent crime, robbery, 30% 37%

25%
24% 14% 12% 5% 4% 4%
Mentions of less than 4% are not shown.

Gang activity
Shootings, gun violence Murder Don't know Speeding, traffic issues Juvenile delinquents 0%
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60%

Thinking about the City of Greensboro overall, would you say it is . . . (Q32)
Total Sample (n=401)

Safer than a year ago

12%

As safe as a year ago Less safe than a year ago Don't know 0%
43

60%

26%

2% 100%

Perceptions of GPD Among Victims of Non-Violent Crimes

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Non-Violent Crime Total Sample (Q33, Q34, Q35)

n=401

Percent Responding Yes

Q33 . In past 12 mo., have you been the victim of a non-violent crime in Greensboro?
Q34. Was the non-violent crime reported to the GPD? Q35. Was the official police report taken by phone? 0%
45

13%

12%

5%
100%

Perceptions of Telephone Response Unit (Q36-Q41)

Victims of Non-Violent Crimes Who Used TRU (n=21) Dont know responses dropped from base
How satisfied were you with the Telephone Response Unit on . . . Base is too small for reliable analysis.
40% 38% 48% 55% 37% 35%
0%
9,10=Strongly agree 7,8=Agree

Mean 6.9 6.1 6.6 6.8

Q36. Time to answer call Q37. Showing concern

25% 14% 14%

15%

20% 33% 29% 25% 21% 35%

Q38. Asking appropriate questions Q39. Treating you courteously/respectfully

Q40. Setting correct expectations Q41. Overall satisfaction with TRU

14% 10% 20% 16% 26%

6.4
6.2

20% 10%
40% 60%

20%

80%

100%

5,6=Mid-scale

1-4=Total Disagree

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Why did you give that overall satisfaction rating to the TRU? (Q42)
Unaided, Multiple Answers Allowed
(If overall satisfaction rating was 1 to 6) Why did you give that rating? n=9 (If overall satisfaction rating was 7 to 10) Why did you give that rating? n=7

Did not seem to care

Asked irrelevant questions Too slow

Prompt
Helpful, informative Concerned, nice to me

Told me they couldnt do anything

Ignored what I was saying

Professional
Fine, did their job

Base is too small for reliable analysis.

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Perceptions of GPD Among Victims of Violent Crimes

48

Violent Crime Total Sample (Q43, Q44, Q45) n=401

Percent Responding Yes

Q43 . In past 12 mo., have you been the victim of a violent crime Q44. Was the violent crime reported to the GPD? Q45. Was a detective assigned to your case? 0%
49

5%

4%

2%
100%

Regardless of your case outcome, how satisfied were you with the interactions in person or on the telephone with the detective assigned to your case? (Q46)
Victims of Violent Crimes Assigned a Detective (n=7) Dont know responses dropped from base

Q46. Satisfaction

14%

14%

29%

43%

0%
9,10=Very Satisfied

20%

40%

60%
5,6=Mid-scale

80%

100%

7,8=Somewhat Satisfied

1-4=Total Dissatisfied

Base is too small for reliable analysis.

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(If overall satisfaction with detective is rated is 1 to 6) Why did you give the detective that rating?(Q47)
Unaided, Multiple Answers Allowed (n=5)
(If overall satisfaction rating was 1 to 6) Why did you give that rating? n=9 (If overall satisfaction rating was 7 to 10) Why did you give that rating? n=7

He was OK, did his job

Disliked way I was treated Not comfortable discussing this

OK, but he really wasnt interested

Understood what I was going through

Never called me back

Base is too small for reliable analysis.

51

Perceptions of GPD Among Those Who Have Had Contact for Reasons Other Than a Crime

52

Other Types of Interaction With GPD Total Sample (Q48, Q50) n=401

Percent Responding Yes

Q48. During the past 12 mo., have you had contact with the GPD for an emergency not related to a crime?

15%

Q50. Over the pase 12 mo., have you had contact with the GPD for any reason that did not involve a crime or emergency?
0%
53

17%

100%

Satisfaction with GPD (Q49, Q51)

Respondents who have had contact with GPD for reasons other than a crime Dont know responses dropped from base

Mean Q49. Satisfaction with interaction that involved an emergency not related to a crime (n=59) 63% 19% 10% 8% 8.2

Q51. Satisfaction with interaction that did not involve a crime or emergency (n=66)

61%

18% 5% 17%

7.8

0% 9,10=Very Satisfied

20%

40% 5,6=Mid-scale

60%

80%

100%

7,8=Somewhat Satisfied

1-4=Total Dissatisfied

54

GPD Website

55

GPD Website (Q52, Q53)

Percent Responding Yes

Q52. Do you have access to the Internet at home, work or anywhere? (Total Sample, n=401)

77%

Q53. Have you visited or used the Greensboro Police Website (Respondents with access to Internet, n=310)
0%
56

16%

100%

Rating of Greensboro Police Website (Q54)

Residents who have visited Website (n=50) Dont know responses dropped from base

Mean

Q54. Satisfaction with interaction that did not involve a crime or emergency

14%

46%

30%

10%

6.8

0% 9,10=Very Good

20% 7,8=Good

40%

60%

80%

100%

5,6=Mid-scale

1-4=Total Poor

57

Respondent Recommendations and Suggestions

58

Recommendations For Ways to Improve the GPD

Have more police presence, more patrols, more bike patrols Act like you care

(Q55)

Unaided, Multiple Answers Allowed

Officers should get along with each other

Officers should act more professional Divide police more equally throughout community Provide more money for police Need Hispanic officers or Spanish speaking officers Let the new Chief do his job Provide more training on crime solving
59

Work with Community Watch organizations

Doing fine

Improve response time, come first time called

Be more pro-active in high crime areas, worry about serious crime Treat all races equally Clean up dept., get rid of bad cops

Respondent Profile

60

Race/Ethnicity and Age

Total Sample (n=401)

(Q3-Q4)

(Q3) Race/Ethnicity
White Black or African American Hispanic or Latino of any race Some other race 54% 18-24 25-34 35-44

(Q4) Age
17% 19% 16% 17% 14% 17%
0% 61 100%

32%

7%
45-54

1%

55-64 65+
100%

Multi-racial
0%

4%

Gender

(Q5)

Total Sample (n=401)

(Q5) Gender

Male 50%

Female 50%

62

Education and Employment

Total Sample
Refusals dropped from base

(Q56-Q57)

(Q56) Education (n=400)

Grad school College grad Some college or vocational HS grad Less than HS
0%

(Q57) Employment (n=401)

Employed full time Employed part time Retired 11% 18% 3% 8% 5% 10%
0% 63 100%

14% 26% 26% 27% 8%

45%

Homemaker Student Disabled Not employed

100%

Marital Status and Children in Household

Total Sample
Refusals Dropped From Base

(Q58-Q59)

(Q58) Marital Status (n=400)

(Q59) Children in Household (n=400)

Married

43% Yes 26%

Separated/ Divorced

13%

Widowed

10% No 74%

Single
0%

34%
100%

0%
64

100%

Type of Home and Years in Greensboro

Total Sample
Refusals dropped from base (Q60) Type of Home (n=399)

(Q60-Q61)

(Q61) Years in Greensboro (n=399)

Less than 5 years

Single family

72%

14%

Townhome or condo

10%

6 to 10 years

10%

Apartment

16%

11 to 20 years

20%

Other
0%

2%
100% 65

More than 20 year

0%

56%
100%

Household Income Before Taxes (Q62)

Total Sample
Refusals dropped from base (n=316)

< $20K $20K to < $40K $40K to < $60K $60K to < $80K $80K to < $100K $100K+
0%

20%

28%
18% 17%

7%
12%
100% 66