In November, Elon University conducted a survey with City of Burlington residents concerning police services. The survey was conducted throughout Burlington in each of the nine geographical police zones. Elon students identified high volume traffic areas in the nine zones and administered the survey at these locations. The survey was conducted in English and Spanish.
Overall, the Police Department received a good performance rating (46.9%). The majority of the data collected concludes that the citizens of Burlington are satisfied, appreciative and supportive of the Burlington Police Department. The following data is a brief synopsis of the overall survey and supports this conclusion:
· 84.3 % expressed satisfaction with police response.
· 85.5 % feel safe in their homes.
· 80.3 % describe their neighborhoods as safe.
· 86.5 % indicated that they would report a crime if witnessed.
· 14.6 % believe that crime is on the rise in their neighborhood.
· 65.1 % rated police performance as good or outstanding.
· 52.7 % agreed that the Police Department does a good job in preventing crime.
· 53.7 % believe that the Police Department is responsive to their needs.
· 45.3 % believe that the Police Department enforces the laws equally with respect to race (note that 25.8 % feel that the department does not while 28.9%have no opinion).
· 50.8 % agree that the Police Department effectively investigates crime.
· 54.6 % agree that the Police Department demonstrates integrity while 16.7 % disagree.
· 58.8 % agree that officers demonstrate professionalism while 15.8 % disagree.
· 56.5 % are satisfied with services offered by the Police Department while 16.2% are not satisfied.
· 59.2 % believe officers are trustworthy while 19.5 % believe officers are untrustworthy.
· 96.6 % believe that drugs have an effect on crime and safety in Burlington.
Of those surveyed, 16.4 % have had no contact with the Burlington Police Department while 12.4 % do not remember having contact with the department. Of the 71.1 % who acknowledged having contact with the Police Department, the largest single area of contact was traffic related (30.8%).
The top five services that the department should strive to be more effective are as follows:
· Visible patrol
· Drug awareness and prevention
· Drug enforcement
· Suppression of gang activity
· Traffic enforcement