Community Attitudes Regarding Public Safety in Bend, Oregon (2021)

Problem

Objective: 

To evaluate community attitudes toward public safety in Bend, Oregon, and assess public trust, cooperation, and perceived safety related to the Bend Police Department (BPD).

General Impact: 

This research addresses public trust in policing, particularly in light of declining national confidence in law enforcement. The findings have implications for local law enforcement's community engagement strategies and operational priorities.
 

Research Questions:

1. Do residents in Bend trust the local police?
2. Do residents feel treated fairly by BPD officers?
3. Is the BPD effective in managing local public safety?
4. Has the BPD successfully engaged and communicated with the community?
5. Do residents feel safe in Bend?
6. What public safety issues are of greatest concern to residents?
   
    

Method and Analysis

Program Evaluated: 

This survey updates prior surveys (2017, 2019) as part of BPD’s Five-Year Strategic Plan (2019-2024), examining key areas such as trust, fairness, public safety management, and community engagement.
 

Data and Sample Size: 

The survey targeted 10,000 randomly selected households and received 1,884 valid responses (18.8% response rate). An additional 333 responses were collected through social media outreach for qualitative analysis.
 

Analysis Used:

Quantitative analysis evaluated trends in trust, cooperation, and perceived safety, while qualitative analysis explored community concerns through open-ended survey responses.
 

Outcome

Key Findings:

1. High levels of trust and cooperation were reported, though these metrics have declined compared to prior years.
2. Most respondents felt safe during the day but reported reduced safety at night, particularly in parks and downtown areas.
3. Quality of life offenses (e.g., alcohol, property damage, drugs) ranked as top community concerns.
4. Procedural justice in police interactions was rated highly, but dissatisfaction with case follow-up was noted.
   
    

Implications/Recommendations: 

1. Staffing Study: BPD should explore increasing staffing levels to enhance visibility, community engagement, and follow-up capacity.
2. Community Priorities: Continue addressing issues such as diversity, equity, and traffic safety while actively communicating progress.
3. Follow-Up Mechanisms: Develop creative solutions to improve case follow-ups within current staffing constraints, leveraging technology where possible.
4. Public Engagement: Enhance efforts to inform and engage residents about public safety priorities and actions through both traditional and digital media.

This report serves as a comprehensive guide for BPD and city leaders to adapt policing strategies to community expectations and challenges, ensuring alignment with public trust and safety goals.