Portland Criminal Justice Survey
A survey of 2,461 Portland residents representing 40 neighborhood areas. Addresses and neighborhoods were randomly chosen to receive a mail-in survey (mailing started May 7 to June 4, 2012 by CJPRI staff)
Problem
The Problem Addressed:
The study aimed to assess public perceptions of local news media's crime reporting, specifically in Portland, Oregon. It explored whether crime reporting is perceived as adequately covering a range of topics, including individual incidents, crime prevention, underlying causes, and community efforts to combat crime.
General Impact:
The study highlighted the potential adverse effects of incident-focused crime reporting, such as public misinformation about crime rates, heightened fear disproportionate to actual victimization, and increased support for punitive criminal justice measures. It underscored a need for broader, more balanced coverage to support informed public safety decisions.
Research Questions:
- How do residents evaluate different aspects of local crime reporting?
- Which demographics are more or less satisfied with crime reporting?
- What are the implications for criminal justice agencies in addressing public dissatisfaction?
Method and Analysis
Program Evaluated/Gaps Addressed:
The study addressed the gap in understanding public satisfaction with media coverage of crime beyond individual incidents. It sought to evaluate the breadth of crime topics reported and identify areas for improvement.
Data and Sample Size:
The research utilized data from the 2012 Portland Criminal Justice Survey, which involved a representative sample of 6,000 residential locations across 40 neighborhoods in Portland. Out of this, 2,461 valid responses were collected, resulting in a 42.2% response rate. Overrepresented groups included females, Whites, and college-educated individuals.
Analysis Used:
Respondents rated media coverage on a scale from "very good" to "very poor" across seven crime-related topics. Statistical analyses identified trends in satisfaction levels, and comparisons were made across demographic groups such as age and education.
Outcome
Key Findings:
- General Exposure: About 73% of residents regularly consume local crime reporting through TV or newspapers.
- Satisfaction Levels:
- 64% rated coverage of individual criminal events positively.
- Less than one-third rated coverage of crime prevention tips, long-term crime patterns, and community/police efforts as "good."
- Demographic Insights:
- Younger residents and those with college degrees were less satisfied with overall crime reporting.
Implications or Recommendations:
- For Media: Broaden crime coverage to include prevention tips, underlying causes, and collaborative community-police efforts to reduce crime.
- For Criminal Justice Agencies:
- Enhance direct communication with the public using alternative platforms like social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter).
- Focus on educating the public about crime prevention and fostering a sense of safety.
- Collaborate with news outlets to improve coverage balance.
These actions are particularly critical for engaging dissatisfied demographic groups, such as younger and more educated residents.