1. 2005 Citizen Survey Final Report Results For Total Sample February 14, 2005 831 E. Morehead Street, Suite 150 Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

2. 2 Table of Contents Objectives 3 Methodology 4 Rating Scales 5 Executive Summary 6 Conclusions21 Detailed Findings 27 Citizen Perceptions of CMPD28 Perceptions of Crime and Safety in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Overall and in Neighborhood33 Perceptions of Uptown Charlotte42 Crime in Charlotte-Mecklenburg53 Interaction with CMPD 57 Sources that Shape Perceptions of the CMPD62 Perceptions of Policing Philosophies72 Respondent Profile74

3. 3 Objectives The Citizen Satisfaction Survey was conducted by MarketWise, Inc. The research objectives of the study were the following: –Measure overall perceptions of the CMPD –Measure satisfaction with the services –Explore perceptions of safety and crime levels for: Charlotte-Mecklenburg overall, neighborhoods, and Uptown. –Examine sources that shape perceptions of the CMPD –Explore perceptions of policing philosophies –Compare changes in perceptions from 2004 to 2005 on key issues

4. 4 Methodology 648 telephone interviews were completed in Nov. & Dec. of 2005. Respondents were age 18 or older. The sample was stratified by the 12 CMPD Divisions. –Divisions were defined by Census track & block groups, corresponding to the 12 CMPD Divisions. Hispanics and Latinos who did not speak English were interviewed in Spanish. Hispanics and Latino were over-sampled to ensure adequate representation. Margin of error for the total sample of 648 is + 3.9 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

5. 5 Rating Scales To measure perceptions, respondents used rating scales from 1 to 10. 1=Extremely Negative to 10=Extremely Positive 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, the data have been collapsed into categories and labeled. For example: 9,10=Very positive 7,8=Positive 5,6=Average 1-4=Poor Ratings of 1-2 and 3-4 have been combined due to the low percentage of responses. NOTE: Responses may not add to exactly 100% due to rounding. Mean ratings are always calculated with “don’t know” responses dropped from the base.

6. Executive Summary

7. 7 As in 2004, the majority of adults in Charlotte-Mecklenburg have a positive impression of the CMPD. 70% of respondents in this survey rate the CMPD 7 or higher on a 10-point scale; only 1 in 10 give a low rating (1 to 4). The percentage giving a rating of 7 to 10 is almost the same this year as in 2004 (70% in 2005 vs. 71% in 2004). 73% or more respondents able to rate the item give the CMPD high ratings (7 or higher) on the following measures related to character:  Courteous  Professional  Performing job with integrity and honesty  Good judgment in use of force. Perceptions of the CMPD

8. 8 Executive Summary A high percentage (70% or more) of respondents able to rate give high ratings (7 to 10) on the following CMPD services:  911 Call Center (Mean ratings show improvement from 2004 to 2005: 7.6 to 8.1)  Officer response to emergencies  Working with communities to solve problems (Mean ratings show improvement from 2004 to 2005: 7.1 to 7.6) More than 60% of respondents able to rate give high ratings (7 to 10) on:  Traffic law enforcement  Crime prevention efforts  Drug law enforcement  NEPS (Mean ratings show improvement from 2004 to 2005: 6.1 to 6.6)  Animal Control services Mean ratings show no decline in perceptions of any of these services. Perceptions of Services Provided by the CMPD

9. 9 Executive Summary Perceptions of the Need for Police The majority of respondents agree that the need for police has increased.  In 2004, 77% of respondents agreed (rated 7 to 10) the need for police had increased in the past two years, and less than half (45%) agreed (rated 7 to10) the CMPD had an adequate number of police.  In 2005, 81% agree the need for police has increased in the past year; 33% agree (rate 7 to 10) and 35% disagree (rate 1 to 4) that we have an adequate number of police.

10. 10 Executive Summary Perceptions of Safety and Effectiveness of CMPD More respondents indicate they feel safe in their neighborhoods (74% rate 7-10), than say Charlotte-Mecklenburg overall is a safe place to live (62% rate 7-10). Respondents also believe Uptown is a safe place to work (73% rate 7-10) and to visit (68% rate 7-10), but fewer believe it is a safe place to live (60% rate 7-10). Only 1 in 10 respondents give low ratings (1- 4=not safe) on any of these measures. Most respondents believe (68% rate 7-10) that the CMPD is effective in making Charlotte-Mecklenburg safer. Less than half of the respondents (41%) say they feel less safe than they did a year ago. For Charlotte-Mecklenburg overall, robberies (23%), break-ins (20%), gangs (19%), theft (13%), and the need for more police (13%) are the primary concerns about safety.

11. 11 Executive Summary Perceptions of Safety and Effectiveness of CMPD Most respondents believe (64% rate 7-10) that the CMPD is effective in working with their neighborhood to solve problems. Only slightly more than a quarter of respondents (29%) do not feel as safe as they did a year ago. Break-ins (32%), theft (16%), and robberies (13%) are the primary safety concerns for neighborhoods. Almost a third (30%) of respondents (about the same as in 2004) are active in a neighborhood group. Almost half (47%) of the respondents (the same as in 2004) are aware they have an assigned community/neighborhood police officer. About a third (32%) of respondents have spoken with a police officer about a neighborhood problem (does not include 911 calls) in the past year. – In 2004, 41% indicated they had ever spoken with police about a neighborhood problem.

12. 12 Executive Summary Perceptions of Safety and Effectiveness of CMPD Most respondents believe (70% rate 7-10) that the CMPD is effective in making Uptown safer. Less than a quarter of respondents (22%) do not feel as safe as they did a year ago. Robberies (23%), loitering/ panhandling (12%), personal safety in general (12%), and assault (10%) are the primary safety concerns for Uptown. Most respondents (85%) are aware of the police bicycle units operating in Uptown and most believe (72% rate 7-10) they are effective for patrolling Uptown.

13. 13 Executive Summary Perceptions of Safety in Uptown Charlotte Most respondents (80%) have been Uptown in the past year.  5% indicated they live Uptown and more than a third (36%) work or have been Uptown for work in the past year. Almost half (48%) have dined out and 18% have been Uptown to shop in the past year. Many have been to entertainment events at the Bank of America Stadium (31%), Discovery Place (25%), and the Bobcat’s Arena (16%). 29% used the Uptown Public Library and 23% used CATS. Respondents feel much safer Uptown during the day than at night.  90% indicate they feel safe (rate 7-10) during the day, while only 56% feel safe Uptown at night.  38% have brought a child Uptown during the past year. Among these respondents, 86% reported feeling it was safe (rate 7-10) to do so. 20% of respondents have not been Uptown in the past year.  Of those, 70% say they would feel safe (rate 7-10) going Uptown during the day, but only 34% would feel safe going Uptown at night.

14. 14 Executive Summary Crime Less than a third (30%) of respondents report that either they or other family members were the victims of some type of crime, in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, during the past year. In 2004, 37% reported being a victim during the past two years.  Many more respondents reported being a victim of a property crime during the past year (27%), than reported being a victim of a violent crime (6%). 21% of total respondents reported the property crime to the CMPD, but 6% did not report the crime. 5% reported being a victim of a violent crime, and 1% did not report the crime.  In 2004, 35% had been a victim of a property crime in the past two years and 5% had been a victim of a violent crime.

15. 15 Executive Summary Citizen Interaction with CMPD Almost 2 out of 3 respondents (64%) have interacted with the CMPD, either on the phone or in person, in the past year.  45% have interacted with the police on the phone: 29% called 911, 28% called NEPS.  48% have interacted with the police in person: 18% for traffic violation or accident, 15% during a community related activity, 12% when they were a victim of a crime, 9% during an emergency, 4% for social circumstances, and 4% to file a report. 28% of respondents called NEPS during the past year. 65% of these respondents were satisfied with the time it took to handle the non-emergency reporting. 64% of respondents indicated it is appropriate for police to have slower response times for non-emergency situations, while another 8% said it is sometimes appropriate. 28% indicated the response times should not be slower for non-emergencies than emergencies.

16. 16 Executive Summary Newspapers as a Source of Influence on Opinions of the CMPD The majority of respondents (80%) indicate they follow local news events. The Charlotte Observer is the newspaper that influences the most Charlotte- Mecklenburg residents (about a third of the total sample). La Noticia is read by only a small percentage of total Charlotte-Mecklenburg adults, but it is read by most of the Charlotte Hispanic/Latino community and is a major influence on this segment. When asked which newspapers are read for news and information:  75% read The Charlotte Observer –41% of these respondents (.41x.75= 31% of total respondents) say it is influential (rate 7-10)  30% read Creative Loafing –17% of these respondents (.17x.30=5% of total respondents) say it is influential  16% read The Charlotte Post –44% of these respondents (.44x.16=7% of total respondents) say it is influential  13% read the Charlotte Weekly –14% of these respondents (.14x.13=2% of total respondents) say it is influential  7% read La Noticia –73% of these respondents (.73x.07=5% of total respondents) say it is influential

17. 17 Executive Summary Television as a Source of Influence on Opinions of the CMPD WSOC is the television station that influences the most Charlotte-Mecklenburg adults (about 32% of the total adult population of Charlotte-Mecklenburg). However, other stations also have a significant influence. When asked which television stations are watched for local news and information:  66% watch WSOC (ABC) –48% of these respondents (.48 x.66= 32% of total respondents) say it is influential (rate 7-10)  50% watch WCNC (NBC) –44% of these respondents (.44x.50=22% of total respondents) say it is influential  49% watch WBTV (CBS) –43% of these respondents (.43x.49=21% of total respondents) say it is influential  49% watch News 14 –46% of these respondents (.46x.49=23% of total respondents) say it is influential  42% watch Fox News –44% of these respondents (.44x.42=18% of total respondents) say it is influential  20% watch the Government Channel for local news –43% of these respondents (.43x.20=9% of total respondents) say it is influential  7% watch CMPD Today (Formerly Police Beat). –56% of these respondents (.56x.07=4% of total respondents) say it is influential

18. 18 Executive Summary Radio & CMPD Website as Sources of Influence on Opinions of the CMPD About the same percentages (within sampling error) of respondents say WBT and WFAE have an influence (rate 7-10) on their opinions of the CMPD. When asked which radio stations are listened to for local news and information:  21% listen to WBT –47% of these respondents (.47x.21=10% of total respondents) say it is influential  18% listen to WFAE –46% of these respondents (.46x.18=8% of total respondents) say it is influential 18% of total respondents have been to the the CMPD Website and 38% of these respondents (.38x.18=7% of total respondents) say it is influential (rate 7-10) on their opinions of the CMPD.

19. 19 Executive Summary Other Sources of Influence on Opinions of the CMPD When asked about other sources that influence opinions of the CMPD:  46% indicated word of mouth  27% indicated publications by the City  27% indicated City-Council meetings Interactions with police have the most influence on opinions about police; 62% of the total respondents indicate it is influential (rate 7-10).

20. 20 Executive Summary Policing Philosophies The majority of respondents (80% or more) agreed (rate 7-10) with each of the six statements related to policing philosophies. Examination of strong agreement (rate 9-10) show that 60% or more strongly agree that effective policing should:  Emphasize a partnership where citizens share responsibility for a safe city  Place heavy emphasis on preventing crimes before they occur  Place strong emphasis on long term solutions  Emphasize the use of crime data & information technology as crime fighting tools Examination of strong agreement (rate 9-10) show that only 50% strongly agree that effective policing should:  Focus primarily on officers arresting people who break laws  Focus on locations where repeat crimes occur, instead of random patrols

21. Conclusions

22. 22 In Conclusion Perceptions of the CMPD have remained positive. –No declines in perceptions on character related issues or on services provided. –911 Call Center, working with communities, and NEPS reporting show improvement in perceptions. Majority of adults in Charlotte-Mecklenburg feel safe in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and in their neighborhood. –Most believe the CMPD is effective in making Charlotte-Mecklenburg and neighborhoods safer.

23. 23 In Conclusion Most adults who have been Uptown and those who have not been in the past year say they feel safe going Uptown during daytime hours. Perceptions of safety Uptown are much lower for evening hours than daytime hours. –Slightly more than half of those who have been Uptown feel safe there in the evening hours –Only a third of those who have not been say they would feel safe going Uptown during the evening. Most adults say the CMPD has been effective at making Uptown safer.

24. 24 In Conclusion For Charlotte-Mecklenburg overall, the primary safety concerns are robberies, break-ins, gangs and theft. For neighborhoods, the primary safety concerns are break-ins, theft and robberies. For Uptown, the primary safety concerns are robberies, loitering/panhandling and assault. Most crimes in Charlotte-Mecklenburg are property crimes. –Only 6% of Charlotte-Mecklenburg adults report that they or a family member were a victim of a violent crime in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, in the past year.

25. 25 In Conclusion Almost two out of three adults in Charlotte-Mecklenburg have had contact in-person and/or contact by phone with a police officer in the past year. –Citizens state that personal contact with police has the most influence on their opinions of the police. The other sources that have the most influence on opinions of the CMPD are: The Charlotte Observer, WSOC, La Noticia (among Hispanic/Latino community), and word of mouth.

26. 26 In Conclusion Perceptions of policing philosophies indicate that the public wants all forms of policing. –However, there is stronger support for focusing on long term solutions, crime prevention, and patrolling where repeat crime occurs, than for focusing mostly on making arrests and random patrols.

27. Detailed Findings

28. Perceptions of CMPD and CMPD Services

29. 29 Overall Perception of the CMPD Total Sample (Q5) Mean Ratings 7.2 7.3 70% 71%

30. 30 Perceptions of the CMPD Total Sample (Q6-9) Mean Ratings 2004 2005 7.7 7.9 7.3 7.5 7.0 7.4 2005 80% 78% 82% 81% 73% 64% 75% 72% % Rating 7 to 10 Able to Total Rate * Sample * “DK” Dropped From Base

31. 31 Perceptions of Services Provided by the CMPD Total Sample (Q45-52) Mean Ratings 2004 2005 7.1 7.6 7.4 7.7 7.0 7.1 6.9 7.2 6.9 7.3 6.7 6.9 6.1 6.6 2005 7.6 8.1 83% 70% 80% 69% 75% 67% 67% 64% 69% 61% 70% 54% 62% 51% 62% 45% % Rating 7 to 10 Able to Total Rate * Sample * “DK” Dropped From Base

32. 32 Perceptions of the CMPD Total Sample (Q10-11) * In 2004, question read as “past two years.” Mean Rating 2004* 2005 6.0 5.3 8.2 * 8.5 2005 33% 81%

33. Perceptions of Crime & Safety in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Overall and in Neighborhood

34. 34 Perceptions of Safety Sample (Q12-13) Mean Rating 2004 2005 7.6 6.9 74% 62% 2005

35. 35 Perceptions of Feeling Safer, as Safe, or Less Safe than a Year Ago Total Sample (Q18 & 21) In Charlotte-Mecklenburg Overall 58%69% In Your Neighborhood

36. 36 Primary Concerns about Crime and Safety Unaided, Multiple Answers Allowed Total Sample (Q19 &22) In Charlotte-Mecklenburg OverallIn Your Neighborhood

37. 37 Effectiveness of CMPD in Making Charlotte- Mecklenburg Safer Total Sample (Q17) Mean Rating 2005 7.1 68%

38. 38 Mean Rating 7.3 7.0 64% 61% Effectiveness of CMPD in Working with Your Neighborhood to Solve Problems Total Sample (Q20)

39. 39 Active Member of a Neighborhood Group Total Sample (Q23) In 2004, 33% of respondents were active. 2005

40. 40 Awareness of Assigned Community/Neighborhood Police Officer Total Sample (Q24) In 2004, 47% were aware. 2005

41. 41 Not Including 911 Calls, Have You Spoken with Police about Neighborhood Problems In Past Year Total Sample (Q25) In 2004, 41% had ever spoken with a police officer about a neighborhood problem. 2005

42. Perceptions of Uptown Charlotte

43. 43 Perceptions of Uptown Charlotte as Safe Place to Work, Visit, and Live Sample (Q14-16) Mean Rating 2005 7.7 7.3 7.1 73% 68% 60%

44. 44 In Uptown Charlotte Perceptions of Feeling Safer, as Safe, or Less Safe than a Year Ago Total Sample (Q27) 70%

45. 45 Primary Concerns about Crime and Safety in Uptown Charlotte Total Sample (Q28) Unaided, Multiple Answers Allowed

46. 46 Effectiveness of CMPD in Making Uptown Safer Total Sample (Q26) Mean Rating 2005 7.7 70%

47. 47 Awareness of Police Bicycle Units Operating in Uptown Charlotte Total Sample (Q29) 2005

48. 48 Effectiveness of CMPD Bicycle Units Patrolling in Uptown Charlotte Total Sample (Q30) Mean Rating 2005 7.9 72%

49. 49 Been to Uptown Charlotte for Any Reason in Past Year Total Sample (Q31) 2005

50. 50 Reasons for Being in Uptown Charlotte in Past Year Total Sample (Q32)

51. 51 Perceptions of Safety in Uptown Charlotte in Past Year Base= Respondents who have been Uptown, n=515 (Q33-36) * Note: 38% of the total respondents brought a child to the Uptown area in the past year. (Q35) Mean Ratings 2005 8.7 6.7 8.3 2005 92% 56% 86%

52. 52 Perceptions of Safety in Uptown Charlotte Base= Respondents who have NOT been Uptown In Past Year, n=133 (Q37-38) Mean Ratings 2005 7.6 5.4 2005 70% 34%

53. Crime in Charlotte-Mecklenburg

54. 54 Victims (Respondent/Family Member) of Crime in Past Year, Regardless of Whether or Not It Was Reported Total Sample (Q39) In 2004, 37% reported being a victim of a crime during the past two years. 2005

55. 55 Victims (Respondent/Family Member) of Crimes in Past Year Total Sample (Q39) 2004: Victims of a property crime during past two years =35% 2005 Property Crime2005 Violent Crime 2004: Victims of violent crime during past two years=5%

56. 56 Reporting of Crime to CMPD Total Sample (Q40–41) 2004: Victims of a property crime past 2 years=35%; 10% did not report the crime. 2005 Property Crimes2005 Violent Crimes 2004: Victims of a violent crime past 2 years=5%; <1% did not report the crime. 27% were victims of property crime 6% were victims of violent crime

57. Interaction with CMPD

58. 58 Interaction with the CMPD 2004 & 2005 Total Sample (Q42a & 42b) 2004 Interaction in past two years 2005 Interaction in past year

59. 59 Interaction with the CMPD In Past Year Total Sample (Q42a-42b) 2005 Interaction on phone in past year 2005 Interaction in person in past year 36% have had no interaction with CMPD in past year.

60. 60 Satisfied with Time to Handle Non-Emergency Reporting Base=Respondents who called non-emergency reporting number, n=142 (Q43) 2005 2004: 69% of respondents who had called NEPS in past 2 years, said their call was handled in a timely manner.

61. 61 Appropriate for Police to Have Slower Response Times for Non-Emergency Situations Total Sample (Q44) 2005

62. Sources that Shape Perceptions of the CMPD

63. 63 Newspapers Read for Local News and Information Total Sample (Q54)

64. 64 Perceived Influence of Selected Newspapers on Opinions of CMPD Base=Respondents who read newspaper for local news (Q55-59) Mean Rating 2005 5.5 2005 3.7 7.9 5.5 3.7

65. 65 Television Stations Watched for Local News and Information Total Sample (Q60)

66. 66 Perceived Influence of Selected TV Stations on Opinions of CMPD Base=Respondents who watch TV station for local news (Q61-66) Mean Rating 2005 6.0 2005 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.8 5.6

67. 67 CMPD Today Total Sample (Q67-68) Watch CMPD Today, Formerly Police Beat Asked only of those who mentioned Gov. Channel as primary source for news and information Base= Total Sample Influence of CMPD Today on Opinion of CMPD Base= Respondents who watch, n=48 Mean Rating 2005 6.6

68. 68 Radio Stations Listened to for Local News and Information Total Sample (Q69)

69. 69 Perceived Influence of Selected Radio Stations on Opinions of CMPD Base=Respondents who listen to station for local news (Q60-66 ) Mean Rating 2005 5.9 2005 5.4

70. 70 Perceived Influence of Other Sources on Opinions of CMPD Total Sample (Q73-76) Mean Rating 2005 4.7 2005 4.6 7.2 5.8

71. 71 CMPD Website Total Sample (Q42c & Q72) Been to CMPD Website for any Total Sample Influence of Website on Opinion of CMPD Base= Respondents who have visited site, n=117 Mean Rating 2005 5.4

72. Perceptions of Policing Philosophies

73. 73 Agreement with Statements About Policing Philosophies Total Sample (Q77-82) Mean Rating 2005 8.8 2005 8.7 8.6 8.1 Effective policing should...

74. Respondent Profile

75. 75 Respondent Profile Division & Race/Ethnicity (Q2 & 3) Race/Ethnicity Gender

76. 76 Respondent Profile Education & Employment Status (Q84-85) EducationEmployment

77. 77 Respondent Profile Marital Status & Type of Home (Q86 & 92) Marital StatusType of Home

78. 78 Respondent Profile Children in Household & Age of Children (Q87 & 88-91) Children in Household Ages of Children

79. 79 Respondent Profile Age and Income (Q93 & 95) Age Income (Refusals dropped from base, n=551)

80. 80 Respondent Profile Time Lived in Charlotte or Mecklenburg County (Q4)