NCJ Number
177866
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: May 1999 Pages: 133-143
Date Published
1999
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article describes the methodology and findings of a police community survey in a university setting designed to obtain campus community input regarding campus safety and policing priorities.
Abstract
The survey was conducted at a large metropolitan university on the west coast of Florida; the student population was just over 34,000. The survey instrument was a hybrid that included elements from the National Crime Survey, a survey used by a municipal police department in Florida, and the National Neighborhood Foot Patrol Center at Michigan State University. To reach the diverse groups of faculty, staff, and resident and commuter students, a combination of convenience and purposive sampling techniques were used. The majority of the sample consisted of students (73.2 percent). The survey focused on the following issues: the relative priority given to non-crime- related service activities, crime-related activities, investigative efforts, and other police activities; whether the respondents had been crime victims and how they were treated by the police; whether the respondents had participated in a crime prevention program and would recommend it to others; and whether the respondent knew a university police officer and if so, how well. Survey findings show that a majority of the respondents gave high priority to non-crime-related service activities performed by the University Police Department. High priority was also given to community-oriented policing activities such as foot patrol and crime prevention programs. Efforts to counter crimes against persons were also given top priority. Although generalizations cannot be made from the survey findings, this article suggests the kinds of knowledge that can be gained from such a campus survey. Such knowledge is important when developing policing strategies and policies that take into account community perceptions of campus security needs. 6 tables and 24 references