NCJ Number
151200
Date Published
1993
Length
45 pages
Annotation
This report presents the methodology and findings of a 1992 survey that solicited Baltimore County (Maryland) citizens' perceptions of police service and policies.
Abstract
The survey sample was drawn from the Baltimore county criss- cross telephone directory. The median age of survey respondents was 40-49 years old (county median age was 35). Many (46 percent) respondents had a college degree, most (69 percent) were married, and only one-third had young children. Of the 376 survey respondents, 52 percent were male, and 94 percent were Caucasian. Since the survey sample was not demographically representative, the conclusions drawn do not necessarily reflect the perceptions of all Baltimore County citizens. Survey questions pertained to citizens' perceptions of personal safety, crime, victimization, drugs, police visibility, contact and satisfaction with police officers, important qualities of the police department and officers, police program awareness, and other police issues. The survey found that 87 percent of respondents felt at least somewhat safe in their own neighborhoods, a 4-percent decrease from 1991. Fifty-five percent believed it was likely that their homes would be burglarized, and those with the greatest concerns about safety in their communities thought problemsolving was more of a priority than those who felt safe. The majority (69 percent) of respondents believed it likely or very likely that they will become a crime victim. Overall, fear of victimization was higher among minority respondents and respondents living in Precincts 1 and 2. Over one-half (54 percent) of respondents believed that drugs could be easily obtained in their neighborhoods. Eighty percent of respondents were satisfied with assistance received from police.