Agenda Item 9AAGENDA ITEM # 9A
MARCH 28, 2011
POLICE DEPARTMENT
850 SEMINOLE ROAD
ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA 32233 -5445
TELEPHONE: (904) 247 -5859
FAX: (904) 247 -5867
Web Site: www.coab.us
March 16, 2011
To: Jim Hanson
From: Mike Classey W-
Re: Citizen survey
The police department recently conducted a survey of the citizens of Atlantic Beach. Five
hundred surveys were mailed out to a random sampling of our residents selected from the
utility customer list. This was the exact same survey and methodology that the police
department used in 2004, There were a total of 126 respondents, which was just a few
more (2004 - 115) than were received in the previous survey. The surveys that were
returned appeared to be reasonably representative of the city as a whole. Forty five
percent were from Royal Palms and the Mayport Corridor 22% and 23% respectively,
while the rest of the city made up the remaining 55 %. The purpose of this document is to
report the highlights of the survey and provide a limited analysis of the responses.
There is a survey response summary attached, which provides a more detailed breakdown
of the questions and answers for your review. You will note that a few of the questions are
very open ended allowing a more personalized response while others are more structured
in order to group the responses into more concise categories. Several of the questions
allow a numerical score for the purposes of evaluation and comparison. The rating scale is
1 to 4 with the latter being the highest (best) and the former being the lowest. The final
score of the 2004 survey was 3.45 and the recent survey result was slightly higher at 3.56.
Below are some of the observations from the survey results.
The first question asked what the main crime problem in their neighborhood was. In
order of the number of responses, thefts, speeding and break -ins topped the list.
Almost one fifth of the residents did not report any crime problem. A total of 16
people reported that drugs/ alcohol, transients or prostitution were a problem, with
drugs and alcohol being the most prevalent and accounting for 12 of the complaints.
This is vastly different and a dramatic improvement from the 2004 survey. In that
review, 66 people, or 57 %, reported drugs /alcohol, prostitution and transients as a
crime concern.
AGENDA ITEM # 9A
MARCH 28, 2011
The second question inquired about what the PD can do to improve the quality of
life. There was an identifiable trend in those responses. A total of 46 people
expressed a desire for a higher level of service in the form of more patrols and
Community Oriented Policing (COPs). People specifically identified more bike and
foot patrols as well as wanting the officers to get to know the residents better. This
was almost identical to the 2004 results. Thirteen percent of those surveyed
answered to continue the good work, which was exactly the same in 2004.
The next several questions in the survey pertained to appearance, courtesy,
competence and satisfaction. In addition, people's perception of the department's
fairness and impartiality in dealing with a diverse community and their perception of
the city being a safe place to work and live were also explored.
1. On average, 95% of residents answered very good or good when asked
about ABPD officers' courtesy, helpfulness, competence and professional
appearance.
2. Eighty nine percent agreed or strongly agreed that they were satisfied
with the department's handling of their situation or request.
3. Ninety seven percent agreed or strongly agreed that ABPD responds in a
fair and impartial manner when dealing with the racial, religious and
ethnic communities.
4. Ninety nine percent of those surveyed agreed or strongly agreed that
Atlantic Beach is a safe place to live, work and do business.
The last question asked for comments on anything they felt would help the ABPD
serve them better. Twenty two percent responded that the department is doing a
great job and 21 % did not answer the question. The remaining responses wanted
more speed control and traffic enforcement and 14% percent reiterated their desire
for more patrols including bike and foot patrol.
I believe that the overall survey results were very positive. There are four main points that
should be re- emphasized. First, the prior survey ratings were maintained and were
improved upon slightly. Second, the perceived problems associated with drugs /alcohol,
prostitution and transients were reduced by 45% between 2004 and 2011. 1 believe that
much of this can be attributed to the increased efforts and resources which resulted from
the Mayport Corridor Project.
Next, the residents have an extremely high level of satisfaction with the department in
most areas including professionalism, competence and helpfulness. The overwhelming
majority of respondents reported that the department treats all citizens in a fair and
impartial manner without regards to the diversities that exist in the city. Virtually everyone
believes that Atlantic Beach is a safe place to live and work. Lastly, the results appear to
indicate that the residents expect a high level of service and embrace the practice of
Community Oriented Policing.
If you should have any questions or require additional information, please let me know.
AGENDA ITEM # 9A
MARCH 28, 2011
2011 CITIZEN SATISFACTION SURVEY
1. What do you feel are the main crime problems in your neighborhood?
Thefts -30 (24 %)
Speeding -25 (20 %)
Answered None -22 (17.5 %)
Break - ins -22 (17.5 %)
Drugs /Alcohol -12 (9.5 %)
Transients -2
Prostitution -2
*Note —Did not provide a response -18 (14 %)
2. What do you feel the police department can do to improve the quality of life in Atlantic
Beach?
Want increased patrols(especially bike /foot) -23 (18 %)
Responded to continue the good work -16 (13 %)
Want more neighborhood patrols (officers get to know the residents) -12 (9.5%)
Want more visibility -11 (9 %)
More speed control -8 (6 %)
More vigorous enforcement & crime control -8 (6 %)
*Note —Did not provide a response -31 (25 %)
�3. Please circle the number of contacts (telephone or in- person contacts) that you had
with the Atlantic Beach Police Dept in the last 12 months
Total Responses- -121
0 Contacts -51 (42 %)
1 Contact -29 (24 %)
2 -3 Contacts -31 (26 %)
3+ Contacts -10 (8 %)
4. What was the nature of the contact(s ?)
Nature of Contact
Incident - -33
Victim /Crime - -17
Witness - -8
Accident - -0
Information --17
Arrested - -2
Stopped /Detained - -7
Other - -22
5. Please circle the employee with whom you have had the most recent contact
(telephone or in- person) in the past 12 months.
Total Responses - -85
Officer -55 (65 %)
AGENDA ITEM # 9A
MARCH 28, 2011
Dispatcher -27 (32 %)
Records --3(3%)
6. Please rate the appearance, courtesy, helpfulness, and overall competence of the
employee you circled in question 3 by circling a response in each of the categories
below:
Appearance - -64
Very Good -48 (75 %)
Good -15 (23 %)
Poor - -0
Very Poor -1 (2 %)
Courtesy - -74
Very Good -55 (74 %)
Good -14 (19 %)
Poor -3 (4 %)
Very Poor -2 (3 %)
Helpfulness - -71
Very Good -48 (68 %)
Good -19 (27 %)
Poor -1 (1 %)
Very Poor -3 (4 %)
Competency - -70
Very Good -47 (67 %)
Good -18 (26 %)
Poor -2 (3 %)
Very Poor -3 (4 %)
7. Generally, I was satisfied with the way the department handled my situation or request.
Total Responses - -69
Strongly Agree -35 (51 %)
Agree -26 (38 %)
Disagree -3 (4 %)
Strongly Disagree -3 (4 %)
Not Sure -2 (3 %)
8. If I had a similar situation or request in the future, I would be satisfied if the same
officer or employee handled it.
Total Responses - -68
Strongly Agree -35 (51 %)
Agree -23 (34 %)
Disagree -2 (3 %)
Strongly Disagree -3 (4 %)
Not Sure -5 (7 %)
AGENDA ITEM # 9A
MARCH 28, 2011
10. Please give us your overall impression of Atlantic Beach Police Officers as a group
by circling a response for each of the following categories:
Appearance- -108
Very Good -84 (77 %)
Good -21 (19 %)
Poor - -0
Very Poor -1 (2 %)
Not Sure -2 (2 %)
Courtesy - -106
Very Good -73 (69 %)
Good -29 (27 %)
Poor - -0
Very Poor -2 (2 %)
Not Sure -2 (2 %)
Helpfulness - -107
Very Good -72 (67 %)
Good -29 (27 %)
Poor -2 (2 %)
Very Poor -2 (2 %)
Not Sure -2 (2 %)
Competency - -107
Very Good --68 (64 %)
Good -30 (28 %)
Poor -2 (2 %)
Very Poor -2 (2 %)
Not Sure -5 (5 %)
11. The members of the Atlantic Beach Police Department respond in a fair, and impartial
manner when dealing with the racial, religious, and the ethnic communities.
Total Responses - -79
Strongly Agree -35 (44 %)
Agree -42 (53 %)
Disagree -1 (1.5 %)
Strongly Disagree -1 (1.5 %)
12. Would feel comfortable calling the Atlantic Beach Police Department for assistance.
Total Responses - -125
Strongly Agree -93 (74 %)
Agree -29 (23 %)
Disagree -2 (2 %)
Strongly Disagree -1 (1%)
AGENDA ITEM # 9A
MARCH 28, 2011
13. Overall, I feel that the City of Atlantic Beach is a safe place to live, work, and do
business.
Total Survey Responses -126 (February 24, 2011)
Strongly Agree -83 (66 %)
Agree -41 (33 %)
Disagree -2 (2 %)
Strongly Disagree -0
14. Your suggestions are always appreciated. Please comment on anything you feel will
help the Atlantic Beach Police Department serve you better.
Doing a great job -28 (22 %)
More speed control & traffic enforcement -20 (16 %)
More patrols including bike & foot patrol -18 (14 %)
Did not provide a response -27 (21 %)
Question # 6 - -3.63
Appearance- -3.72
Courtesy - -3.65
Helpfulness - -3.58
Competency - -3.56
Question # 7 -3.37
Question # 8 -3.46
Question # 10 -3.67
Appearance -3.77
Courtesy -3.66
Helpfulness -3.63
Competency -3.61
Question # 11 -3.41
Question #12 -3.71