Keeping people safe & well
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Comparative Analysis of Heatherington 1455
Community Safety Study
Conducted in July 2006 and in June 2007.
A total of 38 surveys were completed by residents of the Heatherington 1455 in 2006. The same survey was repeated in 2005 with 38 community members in 2006. A minor change was made to only one question in the questionnaire used in 2005 in order to gauge the change in community’s perceptions due to introduction of the No Community Left Behind initiative and related activities.
The questions were designed to gather information in a qualitative and quantitative fashion. Specifically, we wanted to know which violent and quality of life crimes residents are most concerned about, the time of day they are most concerned about crime, and the places they feel are the most crime-ridden. Results from the 2006 survey provided us with an opportunity to compare the data with the survey results from 2005 and come up with a comparative assessment and changes in the community’s perception about crime and fear in their community.
In addition, we wanted to know whether they have been the victim of a crime in the project area (along with the type and location of crime); whether they are involved in the Tenants Association (and if not, whether they would join and participate in its activities); and whether community initiatives would make them feel safer. We have included the raw number of responses as well as the percentage score for each question answered affirmatively. A sample copy of the survey is available in the Appendix 1.
Breakdown of Surveyed Residents
Break down of the residents surveyed in 2006 and 2007.
Aggregate
Out of 250 households, a total of 38 residents volunteered to participate in the survey in 2006 and in 2007, 43 residents volunteered to participate in the survey.
Age
2006
2007
Age
2006
2007
16-20
1
0
21-40
13
9
41-65
22
27
65-up
2
7
Gender Breakdown
Year
Number Surveyed
16-20 yrs
21-40 yrs
41-65 yrs
65 up
Total
M
F
M
F
M
F
M
F
M
F
2006
38
0
1
7
6
8
14
0
2
15 (39%)
23 (61%)
2007
43
0
0
3
6
11
16
2
5
16 (37%)
27 (63%)
16-20 Yrs 21-40 Yrs 41-65 Yrs 65+ Yrs Knowledge of the community
47 percent in 2006 and 47 percent in 2007 survey have lived in the community for more than 6 years. 18 percent of the respondents in the 2006 study have lived in the community for more than three years. It shows that the respondents have a good knowledge of present and past community life.
Age
2006
2007
Age
2006
2007
< 1 yr
3 (8%)
6 (14%)
1-3 yr
10 (26%)
8 (19%)
3-6 yr
7(18%)
9 (21%)
> 6 yr
18 (47%)
20 (47%)
Perception of Safety
Assessing the feeling of safety was given priority in the survey. An attempt was made right from the fourth question in the questionnaire asking them how safe do the respondents feel in the community.
In the 2006 study, 32 percent community members responded that they feel safe and 8 percent said they feel very much safe. Together they form 39 percent of the respondents – respondents who are in the “feeling safe” range. By comparison, in 2006 there were 39 percent respondents in this range.
Age
2006
2007
Age
2006
2007
Very much safe
3 (8%)
2 (5%)
Safe
12 (32%)
24 (56%)
Unsafe
20 (53%)
12 (28%)
Very unsafe
3(8%)
5 (12%)
Now: 60% are in the “feeling safe” range in 2007.
In 2006: 39% were in the “feeling safe” range in 2006.
Very Much Safe Safe Unsafe Very Unsafe Another improvement is that in 2006, 3 person of the community members reported to be feeling very unsafe, whereas in 2007, only 11.63 percent feel to be very unsafe.
However, in response to the next question, asking if the respondents felt safer now than two years ago, 71 percent responded ‘No’ in 2006. 28.9473684211 percent responded that they feel safer than they did a year ago. At the same time, 71 percent said they didn’t feel any more safer than an year ago. The 28.9473684211 percent margin reaffirms the earlier conclusion that more people are feeling themselves safe now.
Participants were specifically ask to give reasons for their feeling safer or otherwise than before. Here are the comments we received:
Community members felt safer than in 2006 and 2007 because they think:
· “n/a”
· “n/a”
· “n/a”
· “n/a”
· “installation des camepas a la poete ”
· “people working together to make our building abtter place ”
· “because i know every bady who lifes there”
· “fewer drug trafficing”
· “older induviduals moved in”
· “more police protection”
· “police inrevention”
· “stay in doors when sun sets”
· “people are more friendly”
· “Seems to be more security”
· “There seems to be less noise and young people entering the building.”
· “Now I am meeting new people.”
· “There must be a strong law enforcement than before.”
· “No problem.”
· “It is safe.”
· “I know more people”
· “it is safe.”
· “I mind my own business”
· “I stay to myself. I don't bother anyone. They don't bother me.”
· “I am getting out of my apartment more and meeting people so there are some I can feel I can call on now.”
· “Because it was a seniors bldg when I moved in 1900.”
Violent Crimes
Residents were asked to select their top three concerns from a list that ranged form violent crime to graffiti. The table below discloses the results to Question 6 on the survey, which asks the participating residents to pick the top three concerns that they have about your community. In 2006, 0 percent considered Drug dealing in their community as their prime concern.
Violent crimes of most concern
2007
2006
2007
2006
Violent Crime
12
6
Racial Slurs
7
11
Vandalism
14
10
Loud Music
12
7
Domestic Violence
5
6
Insufficient Street lighting
1
5
Drug Dealing
28
21
Burglary / Robery
10
9
Gang activity
22
17
Graffiti
9
13
In 2006, we see that concern regarding Drug dealing in the community has become the prime concern with 0 percent. These concerns are followed by the concern about insufficient street lighting (13.16 percent). This is also a sign that reduction in fear has given the community an opportunity to look at other problems as well.
Unlike last year, the community members took the liberty to add the following the to choices provided about crime-related concerns:
· “neglected children”
· “Harassment on buses.”
· “Not enough security. Need 24 hour security guard at front door. Confronted 2 children 5-6 year boys with no adult. They were told to wait in lobby. Escorted out.”
· “Lack of response to urgent requests for personal safety crises when they arise.”
· “Loud talk on balcony at night. smoke cigeratte on balcony.”
· “n/a”
· “Overcrowding”
· “Always talk about Somalis.”
· “Young people are not made to feel welcome. Most conversations are about want to accept the change.”
· “n/a”
· “This scares me because I feel like there are bad people around.”
· “I have had no problems living here but can see these things which spell trouble brewing.”
· “Lots of graffiti, it drives me nuts. The Attitude they have, the right to deface my lineage. It is embarassing to my relatives.”
Gangs
Participants who felt gangs were a problem, were further probed to find out what problems they consider the gangs present to the community. This question was also intended to understand community’s perception about gangs. Most of the young respondents do think there is a gang problem. The adults, however, believe there is. Their responses vary as we can see in the table below.
Problems Associated with Gangs
2007
2006
2007
2006
Gang not a problem here
4
9
Fighting
14
12
Public Nuisance
16
12
Family disruption
10
3
Increase in violent crime
19
13
Increase in drug crime
22
16
Increase in weapon crimes
5
5
Increase fear of safety
16
17
With the exception of the concern that gangs lead to fighting in the community (0.00% in 2006 as opposed to just 32.56% in 2007), views of the community on the rest of the factor related to gangs remain almost the same. Majority of them (0.00%) still considers the sense of fear in the community as a result of the presence of gangs. Similarly, drug related problems are also attributed to the presence of gangs.
The respondents added the following to the list of problems which gangs pose to the community:
· “If there are any gangs, it would be because of the reasons pointed out in question 8.”
· “Constantly requesting door opening”
· “N/A”
· “I haven't seen any gangs.”
· “I haven't noticed any.”
· “Loud yelling”
· “I haven't seen any gangs”
· “Lack of respect for property”
Why Gangs
The next question (#8) further probed the respondents to find out the possible reasons for gang related activity. The participants were asked to pick three reasons why they believe gang activity exists in their community. The response was amazing, as we can see from the following table.
2007
2006
2007
2006
School Problems
8
19%
5
13%
Poverty
20
47%
14
37%
Lack of activities
16
37%
16
42%
Power
22
51%
12
32%
Family/friends in gangs
13
30%
5
13%
Protection
13
30%
7
18%
Family problems
12
28%
12
32%
Gang members move from other areas
8
19%
7
18%
To feel sense of belonging
10
23%
11
29%
In 2007, 47 percent believed gangs existed due to poverty, where as 37 percent believed it was due to lack of activities for youth. 28 percent selected family problems. In 2007, majority of residents believe gang members move from other areas to the community. Only 18 percent believed so last year. Almost half of the respondents now believe that the problem of kids joining gangs is the result of their need for protection. If they don’t join, they are harassed and intimidated. The perception that poverty is the major cause for the existence of gangs has changed considerably. Almost half of the respondents changed their opinion. Lack of activities for youth is considered a major factor, which is also confirmed by the suggestions and recommendations offered to the last question in the survey.
Lack of activities Family/Friends in Gangs Poverty Protection The sense of belonging Power The respondents added the following to the list:
· “As a society, we have institutionalzed the neglect”
· “n/a”
· “n/a”
· “If ther is any”
· “n/a no gangs”
· “No gangs.”
Areas in the neighborhood, which the community avoids to fear
Residents were asked to identify areas in the neighborhood which they avoid due to fear of crime. The community came up with the following list:
· “the towrlouses night near the macs milk plaza”
· “strip mall”
· “no”
· “entire street”
· “walkley rd”
· “pathway behind strip mall”
· “albion,walkley streets”
· “albion,heathrinoton”
· “albion”
· “parkings”
· “strip mall”
· “bus stops in heatherington”
· “no”
· “no”
· “Ledbury and Fairly”
· “No, but people are in our stairwells.”
· “Kitchener street. Incident-relating.”
· “All the same.”
· “No”
· “No”
· “The Street of Heatherington”
· “Heatherington St.”
· “Prosect and Park area - long strethch - if you needed help, couldn't get any.”
· “No.”
· “No.”
· “I don't travel alone anywhere.”
· “Between Bank/Walkly and Russell Road”
· “Not sure.”
· “Fron the store, because along eh street they are all backyards. If I needed help, there is no door to run and knock on.”
· “The stores where people always hang around.”
Risk of getting involved in a gang
In question 13, respondents were asked if they believed that their children were in a gang, at risk of being in a gang or not involved. In 2006, 84 percent of respondents stated that their children are not involved with a gang. This number has increased to 98 percent in 2007. In 2006, 5 percent believed that their child(ren) is at risk of getting involved, this has reduced to 2 percent, which is a great progress.
In 2006, only 3 persons didn’t respond to this question. It shows that compared to 2005, where 0 percent believed that their kids are at risk of getting involved in gangs, only 2 percent now believe their kids are at risk of getting involved.
Age
2007
%
2006
%
Involved
0
1
Not Involved
42
98%
32
84%
At risk of involvement
1
2%
2
5%
Not sure
0
3
Times When Residents Are Most Concerned About Crime
Participants were asked to identify the time of the day when they are most concerned about crime. Later night was identified as the time when people most fear violent crime in the study area, garnering a 24 percent in 2006 and 79 in 2007. However, there is a substantial decrease in the number of those who identified working hours. Contrary to 24 percent of respondents selecting day time/working hours, only 5 percent identified day time as the time of most concern about crime.
Year 2007 2006 2007 2006
ð Working hours (day time) 6 9 ð Evening 17 4
ð late night 34 9 ð Early morning 5 2Problem areas
In a follow up question, community members were asked if they considered some areas in the neighbourhood more problematic than others, and if so why.
The residents identified the following areas, which confirmed the responses to question 9.
· “the town houses behind maxs milk store and the long strech by the work yark on heatheng on one”
· “within heatherington buildings”
· “pathways at right wothout proper security managment”
· “enitre neighbourhood”
· “heatherington all the way down the fairles crescent.”
· “1455 heatherington”
· “albionand walklts streets”
· “albion, walkly plaza,heatherinoton”
· “all”
· “1455 heatherington”
· “Fairlea Cres., Ledbury”
· “all of heatherington”
· “Heatherington Park”
· “The store and park.”
· “Lounge, laundry room, all stairwells and 15th floor.”
· “Everywhere.”
· “Pretty much every kwhere. But here is one of them across in the project.”
· “Kitchener Stree to al the way to Fairlea Street.”
· “Heatherington/Albion”
· “Heatherington and Kilborn/Clayfau area”
· “In the backside of the building there is no good light.”
· “Heatherington/Gore Private/Fairlea Crescent”
· “yes, all.”
· “Children's playground on Heatherington crescent”
· “Stairwells and side doors”
· “See above”
The residents gave the following reasons for considering these areas dangerous:
· “they rob everyone”
· “because gang members are everywhere”
· “disturbed people live within those areas”
· “the police do not eliminate the problem”
· “lack of policecontro and watching”
· “because of being herhassen”
· “gangs”
· “drugs and prostitution”
· “gang related activies”
· “not enough security”
· “That's where the gangs are.”
· “Criminals know I cann't get help when I need it.”
· “Due to gangs.”
· “Because there were a couple of attacks in the area.”
· “Drugs and gangs”
· “Crimes and noise. Fighting.”
· “Because of their lack of feeling.”
· “Teenagers hang out there.”
· “People hanging out there.”
· “people hang around”
Quality of Life Crime
Question 12 of the Survey focused on the "quality of life" related crimes, listed below. Among secondary or "quality of life" crimes, surveyed residents were asked to pick only three. In 2006, only 5 percent have highlighted Noise as a major concern that effect the quality of their life.
Quality of Life Crimes Study Area Residents are most Concerned about
Year 2007 2006 ð Prostitution 17 (40%) 38 (100%) ð Loitering 15 (35%) 3 (8%) ð Public Drunkenness 10 (23%) 2 (5%) ð Noise 7 (16%) 2 (5%) ð Vandalism 22 (51%) 4 (11%) ð Burglary 10 (23%) 2 (5%) ð Car Theft 8 (19%) 0
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2005-07 South-East Ottawa Centre for a Healthy Community
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