SPONS Neighborhood Survey

OMB# 1103-####

Expires MM/DD/YYYY

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) recently commissioned a study of neighborhood dynamics and their relationship to the effectiveness of community policing initiatives. We are from West Virginia University and are gathering information about these neighborhood views and dynamics. We want to understand concerns residents have about their safety, the police, and about crimes that happen in their neighborhoods. We also want to know what you think about this neighborhood as a place to live.

Your block was selected by chance and your household, along with others in the block, was randomly selected to complete a survey. The survey is entirely voluntary. If you decide to participate and then decide not to complete the survey, that is perfectly fine. It is very important that you know I won’t ask your name or personal information that would identify you. You don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to answer, and you can end the survey at any time. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. If you have any questions about this survey, I will provide you with the name and telephone number to call to get more information.

Dr. James J. Nolan

Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology

West Virginia University

(304)293-2513 ext. 210

INTERVIEWER:	CENSUS TRACT #:
DATE:	FACE BLOCK:
CITY:
NEIGHBORHOOD:	DATA ENTERED BY:

[SENSE OF COMMUNITY]

FIRST WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. BY NEIGHBORHOOD, WE MEAN THE AREA AROUND WHERE YOU LIVE AND AROUND YOUR HOUSE.

1. Does your neighborhood have a name?

□ YES □ NO □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

What is it called? ________________________

2. The following questions ask about your overall sense of community and what it is like to live in your neighborhood. For each of these statements, please tell me whether you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree.

S trongly Strongly Don’t

Agree Disagree Know Refused

I think my neighborhood is a good place for me to live.	4	3	2	1	□	□
My neighbors and I want the same things from the neighborhood.	4	3	2	1	□	□
I can recognize most of the people who live on my block.	4	3	2	1	□	□
I feel at home in this neighborhood.	4	3	2	1	□	□
Very few of my neighbors know me.	4	3	2	1	□	□
I care about what my neighbors think of my actions.	4	3	2	1	□	□
I have no influence over what this neighborhood is like.	4	3	2	1	□	□
If there is a problem in this neighborhood people who live here can get it solved.	4	3	2	1	□	□
It is very important to me to live in this particular neighborhood.	4	3	2	1	□	□
I expect to live in this neighborhood for a long time.	4	3	2	1	□	□
People around here are willing to help their neighbors.	4	3	2	1	□	□
This is a close-knit neighborhood.	4	3	2	1	□	□
People in this neighborhood can be trusted.	4	3	2	1	□	□
People in this neighborhood generally don’t get along with each other.	4	3	2	1	□	□
People in this neighborhood generally do not share the same values.	4	3	2	1	□	□

NOW I’M GOING TO READ SOME STATEMENTS ABOUT THINGS THAT PEOPLE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD MAY OR MAY NOT DO.

3. For each of these statements, please tell me how likely it is that people in your neighborhood would act in the following manner.

V ery Very Don’t

Likely Unlikely Know Refused

If a group of neighborhood children were skipping school and hanging out on a street corner, how likely is it that your neighbors would do something about it? Would you say it is very likely, likely, unlikely, or very unlikely?

4

3

2

1

□

□

If your neighbors were to intervene, what do you think they would most likely do?

1. Confront the children alone

2. Confront them with neighbors

3. Call their parents or guardians

4. Call neighbors (organize meeting)

5. Call authorities (police, school, mayor)

6. Nothing, they would not intervene

7. Other: ____________________________

V ery Very Don’t

Likely Unlikely Know Refused

If some children were spray-painting graffiti on a local building, how likely is it that your neighbors would do something about it? Would you say it is very likely, likely, unlikely, or very unlikely?

4

3

2

1

□

□

If your neighbors were to intervene, what do you think they would most likely do?

1. Confront the children alone

2. Confront them with neighbor(s)

3. Call their parents or guardians

4. Call neighbors (organize meeting)

5. Call authorities (police, school, mayor)

6. Nothing, they would not intervene

7. Other: ____________________________

V ery Very Don’t

Likely Unlikely Know Refused

If one of your neighbors is talking about killing him or herself, how likely is it that your neighbors would do something about it? Would you say it is very likely, likely, unlikely, or very unlikely?

4

3

2

1

□

□

If your neighbors were to intervene, what do you think they would most likely do?

1. Confront the person alone

2. Confront the person with neighbor(s)

3. Call the person’s relatives

4. Call neighbors (organize meeting)

5. Call authorities (police, school, mayor)

6. Nothing, they would not intervene

7. Other: ____________________________

V ery Very Don’t

Likely Unlikely Know Refused

If one of your neighbors is being beaten or threatened by a current or former domestic partner, how likely is it that your neighbors would do something about it? Would you say it is very likely, likely, unlikely, or very unlikely?

4

3

2

1

□

□

If your neighbors were to intervene, what do you think they would most likely do?

1. Confront the person alone

2. Confront the person with neighbor(s)

3. Call the victim’s relatives for assistance

4. Call neighbors (organize meeting)

5. Call authorities (police, school, mayor)

6. Nothing, they would not intervene

7. Other: ____________________________

V ery Very Don’t

Likely Unlikely Know Refused

If a child was showing disrespect to an adult, how likely is it that people in your neighborhood would do something about it?

4

3

2

1

□

□

If your neighbors were to intervene, what do you think they would most likely do?

1. Confront the child alone

2. Confront him or her with neighbors

3. Call the parents or guardians

4. Call neighbors (organize meeting)

5. Call authorities (police, school, mayor)

6. Nothing, they would not intervene

7. Other: ____________________________

V ery Very Don’t

Likely Unlikely Know Refused

If there was a fight in front of your house and someone was being beaten or threatened, how likely is it that your neighbors would do something about it?

4

3

2

1

□

□

If your neighbors were to intervene, what do you think they would most likely do?

1. Confront them alone

2. Confront them with neighbors

3. Call their relatives

4. Call neighbors (organize meeting)

5. Call authorities (police, school, mayor)

6. Nothing, they would not intervene

7. Other: ____________________________

V ery Very Don’t

Likely Unlikely Know Refused

Suppose that a flood or other natural disaster occurred and affected your neighborhood. How likely is it that your neighbors would do something about it? Would you say it is very likely, likely, unlikely, or very unlikely?

4

3

2

1

□

□

Suppose that because of budget cuts the fire station closest to your home was going to be closed down by the city. How likely is it that your neighbors would organize to do something to keep the fire station open?

4

3

2

1

□

□

Suppose a person returned to your neighborhood from prison. How likely is it that your neighbors would help out? Would you say it is very likely, likely, unlikely, or very unlikely?

4

3

2

1

□

□

[PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT]

Now I’m going to read a series of statements that deal with your feelings about your neighbors, the police, and how these relate to crime and safety in your neighborhood.

4. For each of these statements, I want you to rate how strongly you feel on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is very strongly disagree and 10 is very strongly agree

Very Very

Strongly Strongly

D isagree Agree

I am confident the police can keep us safe.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
When called, the police do nothing.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
I rely heavily on my neighbors to prevent neighborhood crime.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
I am willing to pay more taxes so that the police can protect us.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
My neighbors and I don’t get along with one another.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
My neighbors and I rely more on each other than the police to resolve minor community problems.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
I rely more on the police than my neighbors to resolve minor community problems.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
I think the police don’t seem to care.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
I am willing to help other neighbors.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
I think that the local government is ultimately responsible for solving the problems in this neighborhood.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
I feel frustrated with the police.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
My neighbors and I watch out for each other.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
I am more likely to rely on the police than neighbors for community safety.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
I feel frustrated with my neighbors.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
I think that people in the neighborhood can be trusted.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
I rely heavily on the police to know what is going on in the neighborhood.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
My neighbors and I are incapable of working together to prevent crime problems.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
My neighbors and I rely on each other to know what is going on in the neighborhood.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
I rely on the police – more than neighbors – to pass on important information about problems in the neighborhood.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
I don’t think the police do the right things when they are in the neighborhood.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
I rely on residents – more than the police – to pass on important information to fellow neighbors.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10

[SAFETY]

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ALSO RELATE TO YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT CRIME AND SAFETY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

For the next few questions, I’d like you to tell me whether you would feel very safe, safe, unsafe, or very unsafe.

V ery Very Don’t

Safe Unsafe Know Refused

5. How safe would you feel being out alone in your neighborhood during the day?	4	3	2	1	□	□
6. How safe would you feel if you were out alone at night in your neighborhood?	4	3	2	1	□	□
7. How safe would you feel leaving your car doors unlocked for short periods of time while parked in your neighborhood?	4	3	2	1	□	□

8. How do you think your neighborhood compares with other neighborhoods in the city? Is it more dangerous, about the same, or less dangerous?

□ More dangerous □ About the same □ Less dangerous □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

9. Are there any specific places in your neighborhood that many people try to avoid because they think these places might be dangerous? Would you say there are many places, some places, few places, or no places?

□ Many □ Some □ Few □ None □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

[ATTACHMENT]

NOW I’M GOING TO ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS THAT DEAL WITH FEELINGS OF ATTACHMENT TOWARD YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

10. Do you feel that you are part of the neighborhood, or that it’s just a place to live?

□ Part of the neighborhood □ Just a place to live □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

11. As a member of your neighborhood, how responsible do you feel for things that happen around here? No responsibility, some responsibility, or a big responsibility?

□ No responsibility □ Some responsibility □ A big responsibility □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

12. How attached do you feel to your neighborhood? Strongly attached, moderately attached, only somewhat attached, or not attached at all?

□Strongly attached □Moderately attached □Only somewhat attached □ Not attached at all □DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

13. All things considered, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with this neighborhood as a place to live? Completely satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, completely dissatisfied?

□Completely satisfied □Somewhat satisfied □Somewhat dissatisfied □ Completely dissatisfied □DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

14. Have you ever seriously considered moving out of your neighborhood?

□ YES □ NO □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

NEXT WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU ABOUT FAMILY AND FRIENDSHIP TIES AND INTERACTIONS YOU HAVE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. NOT COUNTING THOSE WHO LIVE WITH YOU…

15. How many of your relatives or in-laws live in your neighborhood? Would you say, none, one or two, three to five, six to nine, ten or more?

□ None □ One or two □ Three to five □ Six to nine □Ten or more □DON’T KNOW □REFUSED

16. How many close friends do you have in your neighborhood?

□ None □ One or two □ Three to five □ Six to nine □Ten or more □DON’T KNOW □REFUSED

17. How many close friends do you have who live outside your neighborhood?

□ None □ One or two □ Three to five □ Six to nine □Ten or more □DON’T KNOW □REFUSED

18. About how often do you and people in your neighborhood do favors for each other? By favors we mean such things as watching each other’s children, helping with shopping, lending garden or house tools, and other small acts. Would you say often, sometimes, rarely, or never?

□ Often □ Sometimes □ Rarely □ Never □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

19. When a neighbor is not at home, how often do you and other neighbors watch over their property? Would you say often, sometimes, rarely, or never?

□ Often □ Sometimes □ Rarely □ Never □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

20. How often do you and other people in the neighborhood ask each other for advice about personal things such as child rearing or job openings? Often, sometimes, rarely, or never?

□ Often □ Sometimes □ Rarely □ Never □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

21. How often do you and other people in this neighborhood visit in each other’s homes or on the street? Would you say often, sometimes, rarely, or never?

□ Often □ Sometimes □ Rarely □ Never □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

[DISORDER]

FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THINGS THAT ARE PROBLEMS FOR SOME PEOPLE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

22. For each item I’d like you to tell me if it is a big problem, somewhat of a problem, or not a problem at all in your neighborhood.

Big Somewhat Not a Don’t

Problem a Problem Problem know Refused

Vandalism, like people breaking windows or spray painting buildings? (Big problem, somewhat of a problem, not a problem, DK)	□	□	□	□	□
Vacant houses?	□	□	□	□	□
People who don’t keep up their properties or yards?	□	□	□	□	□
People who say insulting things or bother people when they walk down the street?	□	□	□	□	□
Litter and trash in the streets?	□	□	□	□	□
Vacant lots with trash or junk?	□	□	□	□	□
Groups of teenagers hanging out?	□	□	□	□	□
The amount of noise in the area?	□	□	□	□	□
Bad elements moving in?	□	□	□	□	□
People fighting and arguing?	□	□	□	□	□
Crime?	□	□	□	□	□

[INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY ACTION]

HERE WE ARE INTERESTED IN THE SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND GROUPS PEOPLE JOIN IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. FOR EACH ACTIVITY OR GROUP, TELL ME IF YOU OR OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD PARTICIPATE.

23. Have you or other members of your household worked on a community project?

□ YES □ NO □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

24. Have you or other members of your household attended a community meeting?

□ YES □ NO □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

25. Does your neighborhood have a crime prevention program or Neighborhood Watch?

□ YES □ NO □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

26. Do you or any household members belong to any kind of Neighborhood Watch program, block group, tenant association, or community council?

□ YES  What is the name of the group? __________________ □ NO □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

27. Do you or any household members belong to a business, civic, or political group in the area?

□ YES  What is the name of the group? __________________ □ NO □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

[DEMOGRAPHICS]

THE NEXT SET OF QUESTIONS ARE ABOUT YOUR HOUSEHOLD AND PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE WITH YOU.

28. How long have you lived in this city?

______years______months

29. How long have you lived in this neighborhood?

______years______months

30. Do you own or rent the place where you are living?

□OWN □RENT □Rent-to-own □DK □REF

31. How many people currently reside in you household? __________________□DK □REF

32. How many children under 18 reside in your household? _________________□DK □REF

33. What is your marital status?

1. Married

2. Domestic Partnership

3. Widowed

4. Divorced

5. Separated

6. Never married DKREF

NOW WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO, YOUR OCCUPATION.

34. Are you currently employed?

□ YES □ NO □ DON’T KNOW □ REFUSED

35. What is your main occupation? What sort of work do you do? ________________________

______________________________________

36. Are you going to school full-time or part-time?

□FULL-TIME □PART-TIME □NO □DK □REF

WE HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

37. In what year were you born?

____________________□DK □REF

38. [BY OBSERVATION] GENDER OF RESPONDENT:

□ MALE □ FEMALE

39. What is your country of birth?

__________________□DK □REF

40. What is the highest degree or level of school you have completed?

1. No schooling completed/Kindergarten

2. Grade 1 through 11: Specify grade:___

3. 12^th grade – NO DIPLOMA

4. Regular high school diploma

5. GED or alternative credential

6. Some college credit, but less than 1 year of college credit

7. 1 or more years of college credit, no degree

8. Associate’s degree (for example: AA, AS)

9. Bachelor’s degree (for example: BA, BS)

10. Master’s degree (for example: MA, MBA)

11. Professional degree beyond a bachelor’s degree (for example: MD, DDS, DVM, JD)

12. Doctorate degree (for example: PhD, EdD)

41. What is the letter of the group you identify with most strongly?

1. White

2. Black, African American

3. American Indian or Alaska Native

4. Asian Indian

5. Chinese

6. Filipino

7. Other Asian

8. Japanese

9. Korean

10. Vietnamese

11. Native Hawaiian

12. Guamanian or Chamorro

13. Samoan

14. Other Pacific Islander

15. Some other race: ________________

42. Are you of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?

1. No.

2. Yes, Mexican, Mexican Am., Chicano

3. Yes, Puerto Rican

4. Yes, Cuban

5. Yes, another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin (for example Argentinean, Colombian, Dominican, Nicaraguan, Salvadoran, Spaniard).

43. Please tell me the letter of the range that represents total combined HOUSEHOLD income for 2007. Which of these income brackets is closest to the total household income?

1. Less than $20,000

2. $20,000 – $39,999

3. $40,000 – $59,999

4. $60,000 – $79,999

5. 80,000 – $99,999

6. $100,000 - $119,999

7. $120,000 - $140,000

Over $140,000

[VICTIMIZATION]

Now I’m going to ask some questions about crime and victimization in your neighborhood.

	NO	YES
44. Since living here, have you heard of any of your neighbors being victimized by a crime?	0	1	=>a. IF YES, How many times? ____ Please describe the most serious offenses below.
b. Describe the most serious offense: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ c. When did it happen?____________________________
d. Regarding the above occurrence, did anyone contact the police?	0	1	=>e. IF NO, please explain why.
f. Did the police come?	0	1
45. Since living in your neighborhood, were you the victim of a crime?	0	1	=>a. IF YES, How many times? ____ Please describe the most serious offenses below.
b. Describe the most serious offense: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ c. When did it happen?____________________________
d. Regarding the above occurrence, did anyone contact the police?	0(N)	1(Y)	=>e. IF NO, please explain why?
f. Did the police come?	0(N)	1(Y)

[CLOSING QUESTIONS]

46. When you think about crime and disorder, why do you think things are the way they are in your neighborhood?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

47. Finally, relating to crime and disorder, what do you think should be done in your neighborhood to make things better?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT NOTICE

The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to be up to 15 minutes per response. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspects of the collection of this information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, U.S. Department of Justice, 1100 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20530; and to the Public Use Reports Project, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20530.

You are not required to respond to this collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this application is 1103-#### and the expiration date is MM/DD/YYYY.

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