1. Prepared for: Vancouver Police Department Resident and Business Survey Prepared by: NRG Research Group April 4, 2007

2. NRG Research Group2 Resident & Business Survey Research Objectives & Method Perceptions of Neighbourhood Safety & Crime and Victimization Satisfaction with VPD Support for Tax Increases to Fund Police Services Recommendations to the VPD Presentation Outline

3. NRG Research Group3 Resident & Business Survey NRG Research has been conducting this survey among Vancouver residents and business owners since 1998 Study is conducted biannually Sampling - Businesses & residential households within VPD patrol district boundaries Total surveyed (biannually): –Business n=400 (+/-4.9%) –Residential n=800 (+/- 3.4%) Research Objectives & Method Research Objectives Assess resident & business perceptions of crime and feelings of safety in each of the four patrol districts Determine the rate of victimization among residents & businesses and the extent to which crimes are reported to the police Assess satisfaction with police services, including the behaviour of police officers and other VPD personnel Assess awareness of VPD policing and crime-reduction initiatives Gauge support for tax increases to fund police services Gather recommendations from residents & businesses regarding how VPD could improve police services in the community

4. NRG Research Group4 Perceptions of: - Neighbourhood Safety - Neighbourhood Crime - Crime City-Wide

5. NRG Research Group5 Resident & Business Survey Trend toward residents & business owners feeling safer in their neighbourhoods. Q7Q11 - Impression of how safe you feel your neighbourhood is when compared to other neighbourhoods in the city. Neighbourhood Safety ‘06 Top Box +/- ’06 vs ‘04 District 1 - 66%+4% District 2 - 41%+4% District 3 - 53%+2% District 4 - 82%+6% ‘06 Top Box +/- ’06 vs ‘04 District 1 - 54%same District 2 - 25%+7% District 3 - 49%+13% District 4 - 74%+3% 63%55%

6. NRG Research Group6 Resident & Business Survey Decrease in the percentage of residents & business owners feeling that there has been an increase in neighbourhood crime from 2004 to 2006. Q8/Q12 - In the past 12 months, would you say the level of crime in your neighbourhood has… Perceptions of Neighbourhood Crime ‘06 Top Box +/- ’06 vs ‘04 District 1 - 24%-17% District 2 - 20%-5% District 3 - 16%-11% District 4 - 15%-4% ‘06 Top Box +/- ’06 vs ‘04 District 1 - 24%-1% District 2 - 21%-4% District 3 - 13%-14% District 4 - 23%-1% 17%21%

7. NRG Research Group7 Resident & Business Survey Residents’ & business owners’ perceptions of crime in Vancouver as a whole contradict perceptions at the neighbourhood level. Q9/Q13 In the past 12 months, would you say the level of crime in the City of Vancouver has.... ? Perceptions of Crime in Vancouver ‘06 Top Box +/- ’06 vs ‘04 District 1 - 45%-3% District 2 - 37%-5% District 3 - 44%+7% District 4 - 44%+7% ‘06 Top Box +/- ’06 vs ‘04 District 1 - 41%+9% District 2 - 31%-2% District 3 - 36%-2% District 4 - 50%+15% 43%41%

8. NRG Research Group8 Experiences with Victimization

9. NRG Research Group9 Resident & Business Survey The incidence of victimization has decreased from 2004 to 2006 among both residents and business owners. Q12/Q17. In the past 12 months, while at your place of business, has any member of the staff including yourself, a client or a customer been the victim of any crime (e.g. vandalism, theft, physical assault or a break & enter)? Q13/Q19. Was (this/the most recent) crime reported to the police? Experience with Victimization

10. NRG Research Group10 Overall Satisfaction with VPD & Perceptions of VPD Officers

11. NRG Research Group11 Resident & Business Survey Overall satisfaction with the VPD remains relatively high with four out of five residents & business owners expressing satisfaction with the service provided by the VPD. Q6/Q9. Overall, how satisfied are you with the service provided by the Vancouver Police Department? Overall Satisfaction with the VPD

12. NRG Research Group12 Resident & Business Survey Evaluations across seven key attributes of officer effectiveness remain strong. Q4. What qualities best describe Vancouver Police officers when they are responding to the public. Perceptions of VPD Officers – Residential only

13. NRG Research Group13 Resident & Business Survey A higher percentage of business owners gave officers "top of the scale" rating in 2006, indicating that confidence in officers has increased. Q7. What qualities best describe Vancouver Police officers when they are responding to the public. Perceptions of VPD Officers – Business only

14. NRG Research Group14 Satisfaction with Contact with the VPD & Communicating with the Public

15. NRG Research Group15 Resident & Business Survey Overall, the incidence of residents contacting the VPD regarding crime or public safety problems has decreased from 2004. The incidence of contact has remained stable among business owners. Q15/Q21. Whether you were a victim or not, at any time during the last 12 months have you personally had contact with the Vancouver Police Department about a crime or public safety problem? Contact with the VPD Yes – had contact with VPD in the last 12 months

16. NRG Research Group16 Resident & Business Survey Courtesy is a particular strength Q18A-C. Thinking about this last contact, how would you rate the service you received? / Q20. Thinking again about this last contact, how satisfied overall were you with the service you received for the Vancouver Police Department? Satisfaction with Contact with VPD – Residential only

17. NRG Research Group17 Resident & Business Survey Relative to 2004, business owners in 2006 were more likely to give "top of the scale" ratings to the VPD. Q24A-C. Thinking about this last contact, how would you rate the service you received? / Q26. Thinking again about this last contact, how satisfied overall were you with the service you received for the Vancouver Police Department? Satisfaction with Contact with VPD – Business only

18. NRG Research Group18 Resident & Business Survey Communicating to the community regarding major arrests, crackdowns and crime reduction programs remains an aspect of the VPD that residents & business owners do not evaluate highly. Q24B/Q35 Where 5 is excellent & 1 is poor, how would you rate the job of the Vancouver Police Dept at informing & communicating to the public regarding major arrests, crime reduction projects, drug crackdowns & crime prevention programs? Communicating with the Public

19. NRG Research Group19 Support for Tax Increases to Fund Police Services & Recommendations to the VPD

20. NRG Research Group20 Resident & Business Survey Residents & business owners are generally supportive of a property tax increase to maintain the current level of police services. Q26A/Q36. If it became necessary to increase the police budget to maintain the current level of police services in Vancouver, would you be prepared to support an increase in property taxes to cover the cost? Support for Tax Increases to Fund Policing Services

21. NRG Research Group21 Resident & Business Survey Residents MORE VISIBLE/ MORE PATROLS/ MORE PRESENCE MORE INVOLVEMENT/ COMMUNICATION WITH COMMUNITY INCREASE FOOT &/OR BIKE PATROL (GET OUT OF CARS) DO SOMETHING ABOUT PANHANDLERS & STREET PEOPLE TOUGHER DRUG ENFORCEMENT BETTER TREATMENT OF PUBLIC/ MORE RESPECT/ FRIENDLIER Business Owners MORE VISIBILE/ MORE PATROLS/ MORE PRESENCE BETTER COMMUNICATION/ OUTREACH TO BUSINESSES TRAIN OFFICERS FOR BETTER SERVICE/MORE COURTEOUS/ BETTER PR DO SOMETHING ABOUT PANHANDLERS & STREET PEOPLE GET TOUGHER ON CRIME Recommendations to the VPD

22. NRG Research Group22 QUESTIONS? For further information please contact: Adam Di Paula, Ph.D. Senior Vice President NRG Research Group T: 604.676-5641 E: ad@nrgresearchgroup.com www.nrgresearchgroup.com NRG Research Group | Market & Public Opinion Research