Community Attitudes Regarding Public Safety in Portland’s Parkrose Neighborhood

Problem

Study Objective: 

The study aimed to identify public safety concerns in Portland’s Parkrose neighborhood, enhance police-community relations, and provide data to inform community resource allocation.

General Impact: 

The research highlighted growing concerns about public safety, diminished perceptions of safety, and quality of life in the neighborhood, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address social disorder and property crime.

Research Questions:

1. What are the primary public safety concerns in Parkrose?
2. How safe do residents feel in their neighborhood, both day and night?
3. What interventions and strategies can improve safety and community-police relations?
    

Method and Analysis

Program Evaluated: 

The study evaluated public perceptions of safety and gaps in addressing issues such as social disorder, crime hotspots, and the relationship between residents and law enforcement.
 

Data and Sample Size: 

• Data Source: Online survey conducted in July 2016.
• Sample Size: 349 respondents, representing a small portion of the estimated 5,032 adults in the neighborhood.
• Demographics: Overrepresentation of white, female, and middle-aged individuals compared to the 2010 Census.
   

Analysis Used:

Descriptive statistics and spatial mapping to identify hotspots of concern and thematic analysis of open-ended responses.
 

Outcome

Key Findings:

• Top Concerns:
  • Social disorder (e.g., squatters, trespassing, panhandling).
  • Property crime (e.g., theft, burglary, vehicle break-ins).
  • Drugs and alcohol-related issues.
• Perceived Safety:
  • Residents felt significantly less safe at night compared to citywide averages.
  • Perceived decline in safety over the past year (56% of respondents).
• Police-Community Relations:
  • Majority of respondents expressed confidence in the Portland Police Bureau and support for expanded police resources, such as foot patrols and community events.
• Hotspots:
  • The corridor between NE Sandy Blvd and NE Prescott St was a primary area of concern.
     

Implications or Recommendations: 

• Focus initial public safety efforts on NE Sandy Blvd and NE Prescott St.
• Address social disorder as a central public safety issue through collaborative approaches involving law enforcement, social services, and community organizations.
• Increase visible police presence and community engagement.
• Enhance enforcement of property maintenance laws and trespassing regulations.
• Develop and implement geographically targeted, resource-efficient interventions.

This study underscores the critical role of community-oriented policing and collaborative strategies in improving public safety and fostering trust between residents and law enforcement in urban neighborhoods.