Keeping people safe & well
|
Comparative Analysis of Hetherington Community Houses
Community Safety Study
Conducted in July 2006 and in June 2007.
A total of 24 surveys were completed by residents of the Hetherington Community Houses in 2006. The same survey was repeated in 2005 with 24 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 73 households, a total of 24 residents volunteered to participate in the survey in 2006 and in 2007, 49 residents volunteered to participate in the survey.
Age
2006
2007
Age
2006
2007
16-20
0
4
21-40
13
29
41-65
10
14
65-up
1
2
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
24
0
0
3
10
5
5
0
1
8 (33%)
16 (67%)
2007
49
4
0
10
19
4
10
1
1
19 (39%)
30 (61%)
16-20 Yrs 21-40 Yrs 41-65 Yrs 65+ Yrs Knowledge of the community
25 percent in 2006 and 33 percent in 2007 survey have lived in the community for more than 6 years. 25 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 (13%)
8 (16%)
1-3 yr
9 (38%)
10 (20%)
3-6 yr
6(25%)
15 (31%)
> 6 yr
6 (25%)
16 (33%)
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, 25 percent community members responded that they feel safe and 4 percent said they feel very much safe. Together they form 29 percent of the respondents – respondents who are in the “feeling safe” range. By comparison, in 2006 there were 29 percent respondents in this range.
Age
2006
2007
Age
2006
2007
Very much safe
1 (4%)
5 (10%)
Safe
6 (25%)
24 (49%)
Unsafe
11 (46%)
20 (41%)
Very unsafe
6(25%)
0
Now: 59% are in the “feeling safe” range in 2007.
In 2006: 29% were in the “feeling safe” range in 2006.
Very Much Safe Safe Unsafe Very Unsafe Another improvement is that in 2006, 6 person of the community members reported to be feeling very unsafe, whereas in 2007, only 0.00 percent feel to be very unsafe.
However, in response to the next question, asking if the respondents felt safer now than two years ago, 100 percent responded ‘No’ in 2006. 0 percent responded that they feel safer than they did a year ago. At the same time, 100 percent said they didn’t feel any more safer than an year ago. The 0 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”
· “n/a”
· “n/a”
· “n/a”
· “Its the same. No reason to worry about personal safety other than theft.”
· “Not a big, but some improvement compared to 2 years ago.”
· “Security somewhat improved.”
· “not feeling safe, but is better than before.”
· “relatively better than before.”
· “n/a”
· “n/a”
· “n/a”
· “No specific reason, but is quieter.”
· “n/a”
· “more patrolling”
· “earned the respect of neighbours”
· “in 2005, police cops is always in the area in which i dont know, what is going on in the area but during night some people get disturbed”
· “there is more watching”
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
8
3
Racial Slurs
11
1
Vandalism
12
12
Loud Music
6
4
Domestic Violence
7
5
Insufficient Street lighting
3
4
Drug Dealing
42
18
Burglary / Robery
13
7
Gang activity
11
18
Graffiti
2
2
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 (16.67 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”
· “none”
· “none”
· “mini motor bikes, broken glass scatterd everywhere”
· “the children are at risk of beeing targetted”
· “The whole neighbourhood needs to understand the quality of life/environment of others and they should learn to respect other' life/surroundings.”
· “Loud confrontational behavior from youth”
· “It is not a good environment to raise children”
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
6
0
Fighting
13
7
Public Nuisance
6
7
Family disruption
3
6
Increase in violent crime
13
5
Increase in drug crime
32
12
Increase in weapon crimes
9
5
Increase fear of safety
31
17
With the exception of the concern that gangs lead to fighting in the community (0.00% in 2006 as opposed to just 26.53% 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:
· “Not a good environment to raise children”
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
16%
0
0%
Poverty
11
22%
8
33%
Lack of activities
25
51%
18
75%
Power
10
20%
4
17%
Family/friends in gangs
21
43%
5
21%
Protection
3
6%
3
13%
Family problems
26
53%
9
38%
Gang members move from other areas
6
12%
1
4%
To feel sense of belonging
2
4%
8
33%
In 2007, 22 percent believed gangs existed due to poverty, where as 51 percent believed it was due to lack of activities for youth. 53 percent selected family problems. In 2007, majority of residents believe gang members move from other areas to the community. Only 4 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:
· “none”
· “none”
· “none around my house”
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:
· “Ledbury”
· “No”
· “Corner f 1440 Heatherington, going to strip mall”
· “No”
· “No”
· “none”
· “No”
· “All areas after dark”
· “All of heatherington as well as south end fairlea”
· “no”
· “all over after dark”
· “all of heatherington, Fairlea South end”
· “Lane way back of Dairy Queen”
· “1452 block/1448 block corner - too much small kids on the road and barries.”
· “Ledbury, Russell”
· “Ledbury, Russell”
· “The row-home development just south of Bank and Kitchener”
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, 92 percent of respondents stated that their children are not involved with a gang. This number has increased to 88 percent in 2007. In 2006, 8 percent believed that their child(ren) is at risk of getting involved, this has increased to 10 percent, which is a great progress.
In 2006, only 0 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
1
0
Not Involved
43
88%
22
92%
At risk of involvement
5
10%
2
8%
Not sure
0
0
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 0 percent in 2006 and 76 in 2007. However, there is a substantial decrease in the number of those who identified working hours. Contrary to 0 percent of respondents selecting day time/working hours, only 0 percent identified day time as the time of most concern about crime.
Year 2007 2006 2007 2006
ð Working hours (day time) 4 0 ð Evening 0 0
ð late night 37 0 ð Early morning 1 0Problem 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.
· “Strip mall area”
· “Other side of heatherington”
· “i believe this community is dangerous due to the racial slurs and plenty of noise from drunkenness”
· “enter neighborhood late night you spot strange people”
· “none to my knowledge”
· “border between ottawa-carleton wnpo corporation and public housing”
· “Fairlea”
· “everywhere”
· “Fairlea”
· “i think this community is dancgerous because of racial slurs and to much noise from drunkeness. I could say the whole area is little safe for tenants”
· “coming home late at night you see the problems strange people asking do you have cigarettes which could brink to stealing, assault, and possible death running up behind you.”
· “none to my knowledge”
· “every where”
· “Mainly street corners, back lane ways”
· “The Swing Park”
· “The Swing park”
· “Some areas around heatherington”
The residents gave the following reasons for considering these areas dangerous:
· “Selling of drugs”
· “Drug trafficing and young mothers using drugs along with drug abusing boyfriends”
· “Lack of constant community involvement as well as protection”
· “uncertain what will happen”
· “kids loitering for hours”
· “To many gangs arriving”
· “drugs”
· “children playing and socialising in parking lots as well as infront of my house”
· “lack of consant community involvement is the prection of the area.”
· “uncertain what will happen”
· “Group tend to congregate”
· “All gang hang out there. always surrounded by cops.”
· “Reputed to be high crime gang area”
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 0 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 11 (22%) 24 (100%) ð Loitering 15 (31%) 0 ð Public Drunkenness 10 (20%) 0 ð Noise 11 (22%) 0 ð Vandalism 11 (22%) 0 ð Burglary 34 (69%) 0 ð Car Theft 9 (18%) 0
©
2005-07 South-East Ottawa Centre for a Healthy Community
Centre du sud-est d’Ottawa pour une communauté en santé
Tel./ Tél: (613) 737-5115 Ext. 2403 Fax/Télé: (613) 739-8199 TTY/ATEM: (613) 739-819
All rights reserved | Tous droits r�serv�s