Neighborhood Survey Building Better Communities, Ball State University Muncie Weed and Seed
The BBC/Weed & Seed Team Greg Maynard, Weed and Seed Site Coordinator Jerry McKean, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology Ashley Anderson Caleb Beasley Spain Cosby Christopher Drees Nicholas Hadler Kimberly Marburger Jessica Miller Alex Pieri Christopher Rairdon Andrew Rodeghero Derek Saylor Lincoln Wyatt
A 5-part presentation 1) Methods 2) Demographics 3) Criminal victimization 4) Perceptions of neighborhood characteristics 5) Attitudes toward the police
Survey Methods Survey created by BBC Fellows in Spring, 2010 Survey administered by volunteers from Weed & Seed committees. Greg Maynard, Site Coordinator June Kramer, Executive Director, Delaware County Community Corrections Surveys distributed at local events during summer and fall of 2010
Survey Methods Survey used purposive and convenience sampling. Probability sampling NOT used 563 useable responses generated from survey. 104 (22%) from Weed and Seed Neighborhoods. 377 (78%) from non-weed & Seed Neighborhoods.
Caution! The survey did not use probability sampling, so the results do not necessarily represent Muncie or any particular neighborhoods. The results reported here are preliminary and subject to modification. A more detailed final report will be issued on March 7,
Respondent Demographics
Distribution of Respondents by Neighborhood 489 Respondents identified their neighborhood of residence. 125 from Weed & Seed neighborhoods (26%) 364 from other neighborhoods (74%) Large number of respondents from Southside (82) Whitely (49) Morningside (26) Southeast (29)
Respondents from Weed & Seed Neighborhoods Neighborhood Number of Respondents McKinley 4 Gilbert 19 East Central 15 Industry 25 South Central 8 Thomas Park/Avondale 29 Old West End 21 Central Business District 4
60 Figure 1: Respondent Characteristics by Neighborhood Type 50 40 30 20 10 0 %Male % Never Married % Less than High School Weed & Seed %Looking for Work %Renting %Income Under $10K Other
Criminal Victimization Respondents were asked about theft, attacks and threats, and break-ins. If respondents reported victimization, they were asked if it occurred at home, in their neighborhood, elsewhere in Muncie, or outside of Muncie.
Risk of Victimization 60 50 40 Victimization is higher in Weed and Seed Neighborhoods than in other neighborhoods. 30 Weed and Seed Nieghborhoods Non-Weed and Seed Neighborhoods 20 35% 49% 35% 10 27% 25% 12% 11% 12% 0 Report Attack Report Break-In Called Police Report Theft
Location of Victimization Most victimizations occurred at home or in the respondents neighborhoods. Most thefts occurred at home. Most attacks occurred in the neighborhoods. Most break-ins occurred at home.
Calling the Police Most victims did not call the police. 35% of Weed and Seed residents called police. 24% of other respondents called police. Most calls occurred from home, but Weed and Seed residents were more likely to call in neighborhood than at home.
Perceptions of Neighborhood Weed and Seed Residents versus Residents of other neighborhoods.
There is a lot of graffiti in my neighborhood. 35 Percent Agreeing 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Weed & Seed Non Weed & Seed Agree 30.4 18.7
My neighborhood is clean. Percent Agree 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Weed & Seed Non Weed & Seed Percent Agree 51 69
Vandalism is common in my neighborhood. 60 Percent Agreeing 50 40 30 20 10 0 Weed and Seed Not Weed and Seed Agree 48.6 31.3
My neighborhood is safe. Percent Agreeing 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Weed & Seed Not Weed and Seed Percent Agreeing 56.4 74.3
There is a lot of crime in my 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 neighborhood. Percent Agreeing Weed and Seed Not Weed and Seed Percent Agreeing 44.9 28.1
There is a lot of alcohol abuse in my neighborhood. 70 Percent Agreeing 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Weed & Seed Non Weed & Seed Percent Agreeing 65 47
Interaction with Neighbors 50 Figure 4: Percentage Having Frequent Interaction with Neighbors, by Type of Neighborhood 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Visits Speak Favors Weed and Seed Other
Muncie Policing Topics of Concern
Percentage Agreeing with Statements about Police, by Type of Neighborhood 70 Figure 5: Attitudes Toward Police, by Type of Neighborhood 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Fighting Crime Stop w/o Reason Respond Prompty Work with Residents Weed & Seed Other
Percent Agreeing with Statements about Police, by Victimization 80 Figure 6: Attitudes Toward the Police, by Victimization 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Fighting Crime Deal with problems Help Victims Victims Nonvictims
Percent Agreeing with Statements 80 About Police, by Race Figure 7: Attitudes Toward the Police, by Race 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Stop w/o Reason Excessive force Break law Deal fairly Offensive language African-American Other
Open-ended Questions Open-ended questions allow respondents to write in their own answers. The survey asked two open-ended questions: In the space below, please list the things you like most about this neighborhood. In the space below, please list the biggest problems in this neighborhood.
Open Ended Questions There were a number of miscellaneous responses in both the positive and negative categories. The positive consisted mostly of decent taxes, cheap rent, friendly community, and Ball State. The negative consisted of parties, sex offenders in the area, taxes, unemployment, and violence.
Open Ended Questions There were not many responses regarding police. Positive Police living in the neighborhoods Negative Response time, lack of patrol, and community relations
Thanks! BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES