1

NEWFIELDS POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY SURVEY

December 2011

2

Background

• Survey designed to help the department understand the perceptions and needs in the community

• Results will be used to enhance policing services• Provides a baseline for future surveys• Partnered with Glengyle Research and the UNH Survey Center

3

4

5

Survey / Response Rate

• Paper survey (census) via US Mail– Total of 723 surveys mailed

• Sent one survey to each household in Newfields• 445 households via US Mail rural route• Sent one survey to each PO Box• 278 Newfields Post Office

• Response rate– We received 220 surveys– We excluded one from our analysis since it was blank – from a club– Total 219 surveys back– Response rate 30.3%

6

Respondent Demographics• Do you own or rent your home?

• Gender

• What is your age?

n = 216

n = 206

n = 211

7

Respondent Demographics

• How many adults (over the age of 18) live in your household?

• Average: 2• n=207

• How many children (under age 18) live in your household?

• Average 1• n=208

8

Do you feel safe in Newfields?

• 97.3% of the respondents feel safe or very safe in Newfields

n = 216

9

Do you think crime in Newfields has increased, stayed the same, or decreased over the last 12 months?

n = 201

10

Have you limited, changed, or curtailed your activities in Newfields because you are concerned about crime?

n = 214

11

How concerned are you about: Your personal safety

Day Time

n = 213

Night Time

n = 213

12

How concerned are you about: Your children are safe

Day Time

n = 197

Night Time

n = 198

13

How concerned are you about: Children exposed to drugs

Day Time

n = 204

Night Time

n = 205

14

How concerned are you about: People using drugs

Day Time

n = 211

Night Time

n = 211

15

How concerned are you about: People dealing drugs

Day Time

n = 209

Night Time

n = 208

16

How concerned are you about: Theft / burglary at your residence

Day Time

n = 212

Night Time

n = 214

17

How concerned are you about: People Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)

Day Time

n = 211

Night Time

n = 208

18

How concerned are you about: People speeding

Day Time

n = 212

Night Time

n = 213

19

How concerned are you about the following issues in Newfields?

Annoying car horns/stereos/alarms

Cars not yielding to pedestrians

Illegal dumping/littering

n = 210

n = 212

n = 213

20

How concerned are you about the following issues in Newfields?

Inadequate street lighting

Internet/Computer crimes

Parking/traffic problems

n = 206

n = 208

n = 209

21

How concerned are you about the following issues in Newfields?

Pedestrians crossing roads outside of crosswalks

Screeching tires or misuse of vehicle power

Speeding cars

n = 208

n = 212

n = 214

22

How concerned are you about the following issues in Newfields?

Stray/barking dogs

Trespassing on your property

Vandalism/graffiti

n = 210

n = 212

n = 209

23

Have you had any contact with the Newfields Police Department in the past three years?

n = 213

24

Were you treated professionally and with dignity and respect during your contact with the Newfields Police Department?

n = 175

25

How do you rate the service the Newfields Police Department provides you?

93.4% of respondents rated police service as Excellent or Good

n = 211

26

Do you believe the town should provide 24 hour police coverage? Currently the budget allows for 20 hours per day.

(7:00 am – 3:00 am)

n = 208

27

A tax increase may be required to provide 24 hour police coverage. How much per year would you pay towards 24 hour

police coverage?

n = 120

28

Do you believe the town should start putting funds aside for expanded space for the department?

n = 209

29

Do you believe the police department should be accredited to help reduce risk and insurance premiums?

n = 194

30

Are you aware the Police Department will check your home when you are away?

31

Are you aware the Police Department works with local churches to supply food, cooked meals, clothes, and

holiday gifts for area residents?

32

Are you aware of the Police Department’s “Helpful Hands” program? Helpful Hands provides assistance to residents during emergency events (storms, power outages, other emergencies).

33

Would a child in your household be interested in a Police Department sponsored youth development program providing positive experiences to help young people mature and prepare them to become responsible and

caring adults?

34

Additional Comments

• Total – 108 open ended comments received