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Feelings of safety while walking
Portlanders are more likely to feel safe walking in their neighborhood than in the Central City, and during the day than at night.
A series of questions asked respondents their perceived safety walking in their own neighborhood vs. in the Central City, during the day vs. at night. In general, people feel safer in their own neighborhood during the day. In comparison, people feel less safe in the Central City during the day and at night.
East Portlanders feel less safe in their own neighborhood during the day than residents from other parts of the city.
People who identify as Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Other feel less safe in their neighborhoods during the day than the other racial/ethnic groups.
Armed police response to specific situations
Majority disagreed that armed police should respond to a mental health crisis or someone sleeping on a sidewalk. Most respondents agreed that armed police should respond to someone damaging property or someone intruding on private property.
A series of questions assessed respondents’ belief that armed policed officers should respond to different 911 calls, either alone or with trained, unarmed responders. A larger group of people disagreed that armed police should respond to 911 calls about a mental health crisis or about someone sleeping on a sidewalk
Prioritization of armed police activities
Majority support police patrolling in high crime areas and following up on crimes as highest priority activities.
When asked to rate the priority level for different types of armed police activities outside of responding to 911 calls, patrolling in high-crime locations was identified as the most “high priority” activity. Patrolling means “have high visibility patrols and additional foot patrols, etc.). Following up on a reported crime (search for suspects, locate stolen vehicles, gather evidence, etc.) was also seen as a high-priority activity.
Engaging in crime prevention (work with community members to reduce the likelihood of crime, etc.) gathered more split opinions. Almost equal amount of people rated it as “high priority” vs. “low priority.” And, 10% of respondents “do not want police to do this.”
A larger proportion of Latinx and Asian community members chose this activity as “high priority” than other racial/ethnic groups.
Looking closer at demographic differences, the highest proportion of people who identify as Black or African American rated community engagement as “high priority.”
Enforcing Traffic in high-crash streets and intersections was important, especially for East Portlanders. This category includes use photo/radar van and police missions to reduce speeding and red-light running, etc.
Checking on neighbors in severe weather
More people reported they would check on someone else than confirm that someone would check on them.
Two items in the survey measured community safety by asking respondents about providing support for or receiving support from neighbors in severe weather. Almost 2/3 of the respondents said they would check on their neighbor while about half confirmed someone would check on them.
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