River Falls Police Department
2000 Community Analysis Survey
Police Districts 1 - 5
The
River Falls Police Department is committed to providing the best service
possible to the citizens of River Falls.
To further this commitment, the Survey Research Center of the
University of Wisconsin-River Falls, conducted a citizens' survey to
gather information to be used for community crime analysis.
The department believes it is important to solicit citizen feedback
as to their perceptions of crime and fear of crime in the city.
Questions were also asked regarding a variety of other quality of
life issues as well as inquiries on current police services and programs.
The survey was conducted door-to-door by representatives of the
Survey Research Center in each of the five
neighborhood
policing districts. There
were 100 surveys conducted in each district.
Information obtained from the survey will be used by the department for planning purposes, resource allocation, problem identification, and to further a community/police partnership in combating crime and solving problems. Citizens who completed the survey remain anonymous to the police department.
Question 1. Within the past year, do you think crime in your neighborhood has increased, decreased or remained the same?
 | 14% increased |
| 8% decreased |
| 75% remained the same |
| 3% no response |
Question 2. In general, have you limited or changed your activities in the past few years due to your fear of crime?
| 17% Yes |
| 82% No |
| 1% no response |
Question 3. Is your neighborhood dangerous enough that during the past year you have considered moving?
| 5% Yes |
| 94% No |
| 1% no response |
Question 4. Indicate how worried you are about the following problems in your neighborhood during the day.
| Question: |
Not Worried |
Worried |
Very Worried |
No response |
| a. Having your residence broken into |
75% |
22% |
2% | 1% |
| b. Walking through your neighborhood | 92% | 6% | 1% | 1% |
| c. Driving through your neighborhood | 95% | 4% | 1% | 0% |
| d. Your children being exposed to danger | 69% | 17% | 4% | 10% |
| e. Your children being exposed to drugs | 62% | 21% | 7% | 10% |
| f. Strangers loitering near your home | 77% | 19% | 4% | < 1% |
| g. Being a victim of a violent crime | 86% | 11% | 3% | < 1% |
Question 5. Indicate
how worried you are about the following problems in your neighborhood at night.
| Question: |
Not Worried |
Worried |
Very Worried |
No response |
| a. Having your residence broken into | 64% | 31% | 4% | 1% |
| b. Walking through your neighborhood | 72% | 22% | 4% | 2% |
| c. Driving through your neighborhood | 91% | 6% | 2% | 1% |
| d. Your children being exposed to danger | 63% | 21% | 5% | 10% |
| e. Your children being exposed to drugs | 61% | 21% | 8% | 11% |
| f. Strangers loitering near your home | 58% | 35% | 6% | 1% |
| g. Being a victim of a violent crime | 77% | 17% | 5% | 1% |
Question 6. Indicate
how much of a problem the following are in your neighborhood.
| Question: | Big Problem | Somewhat of a Problem | No Problem | No response |
| a. Abandoned / run down buildings | 2% | 6% | 91% | 1% |
| b. Car horns / stereos / alarms | 8% | 35% | 57% | 0% |
| c. Cars speeding / screeching tires | 19% | 37% | 43% | 1% |
| d. Dilapidated streets and sidewalks | 3% | 12% | 84% | 1% |
| e. Drug dealers operating openly | 3% | 7% | 89% | 1% |
| f. Illegal dumping in vacant lots / alley | 2% | 9% | 88% | 1% |
| g. Loud music from homes | 5% | 25% | 69% | 1% |
| h. Neighbors fighting / domestic problems | 5% | 14% | 81% | < 1% |
| i. Parking / traffic problems | 15% | 32% | 53% | 0% |
| j. Poor street lights | 8% | 26% | 66% | < 1% |
| k. Prostitutes / "Johns" roaming streets | 2% | 2% | 95% | 1% |
| l. Public drinking / intoxication | 7% | 19% | 74% | < 1% |
| m. Strangers trespassing on property | 4% | 20% | 76% | < 1% |
| n. Stray / barking animals | 5% | 26% | 69% | 0% |
| o. Stripped / abandoned cars | 3% | 6% | 91% | 0% |
| p. Unsafe / unsanitary housing | 3% | 7% | 90% | 0% |
| q. Vandalism / graffiti | 3% | 12% | 85% | 0% |
| r. Youths hanging around causing problems | 6% | 22% | 72% | < 1% |
| s. Gang-related activity | 2% | 5% | 92% | 1% |
Question 7. The River Falls Police Department has worked with the River Falls School District and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls to provide programming on contemporary issues facing the River Falls community. Some examples of those issues include: Family and School Violence, Gang Awareness, Family Wellness. Do you feel that programming, focusing on contemporary issues such as these are worthwhile?
| 80% Yes |
| 16% No |
| 4% no response |
Question 8. The River Falls Police Department has utilized officer foot patrol and bicycle patrol at varying levels for several years with the focus on reducing citizen fear of crime and enhancing police / community interaction. Do you believe officer foot and bike patrol should be continued?
| 84% Yes |
| 13% No |
| 3% no response |
Question 9. The River Falls Police Department currently has an officer teach the Counter Act Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program to fifth grade students in the elementary schools. The department also teaches the GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program to seventh grade students at the middle school. The focus of these programs is to increase the students' awareness of drug and alcohol issues, promote positive decision making and responsible citizenship, and enhance resistance to gang activity. Do you feel these programs should continue to be taught in the River Falls school system?
| 91% Yes |
| 8% No |
| 1% no response |
Question 10. In 1996, the Police Department started a Citizen Police Academy. A Citizen Police Academy is an approximate 24-hour training program taught by members of the River Falls Police Department on various aspects of police work. The purpose of this program is to enhance community awareness on the functions of its local police department and to develop community partnerships. Persons attending this training program could include parents, students, governmental officials, etc... Do you believe a Citizen Police Academy is a positive program that should be continued?
| 70% Yes |
| 26% No |
| 4% no response |
Question 11. The River Falls Police Department is participating in a county-wide Alcohol Compliance Task Force. The task force will facilitate underage spot checks in licensed establishments throughout the County. Spot checks include monitored underage attempt to purchase alcohol with associated consequences for establishments that fail the spot check. The overall goal is to reduce alcohol availability to underage persons. Do you support the department's participation in this program?
| 81% Yes |
| 17% No |
| 2% no response |
Question 12. The River Falls Police Department wants to provide the highest level of service possible in serving our community. Citizen feedback is important and is of great assistance in our effort to make continuous improvements in the quality of our services. In the past approximate one year period of time, have you had the occasion to have to contact with any member of our police department in person, through telephone, customer walk-up, or other contacts? If yes, please rate your contact(s).
| 46% Yes |
| 49% No |
| 5% no response |
| Rate your contact | Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | No response |
| a. Concern | 16% | 22% | 9% | 5% | 48% |
| b. Helpfulness | 19% | 17% | 10% | 5% | 49% |
| c. Knowledge | 17% | 22% | 9% | 3% | 49% |
| d. Fairness | 15% | 18% | 12% | 6% | 49% |
| e. Solving the problem | 14% | 19% | 9% | 8% | 50% |
| f. Putting you at ease | 14% | 17% | 11% | 9% | 49% |
| g. Professional conduct | 19% | 19% | 7% | 6% | 49% |
| h. Response time | 20% | 21% | 7% | 3% | 49% |
| i. Quality of service | 17% | 20% | 9% | 6% | 48% |
Question 13. Overall, how good of a job do you think the River Falls Police Department does in providing police service in your neighborhood?
| 19% Excellent |
| 59% Good |
| 15% Fair |
| 5% Poor |
| 2% no response |
Questions 14 - 18 were asked for statistical purposes only. Answers to these questions were completely voluntary.
Question 14. Marital Status. 42% Married, 55% Single, 3% no response.
Question 15. Your Age.
| 18% 19 or under |
| 30% 20-29 years |
| 14% 30-39 years |
| 12% 40-49 years |
| 11% 50-59 years |
| 13% 60 or older |
| 2% no response |
Question 16. Race or ethnic background
| 1% Asian |
| 2% Black |
| 1% Hispanic |
| 89% White |
| 2% Other |
| 5% no response |
Question 17. Sex: 44% Male 53% Female 3% no response
Question 18. Employment
| 54% Employed |
| 3% Unemployed |
| 9% Retired |
| 30% Student |
| 4% no response |
END OF SUMMARY SURVEY
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