TOWN OF DEDHAM
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
_______________
MICHAEL J.
D’ENTREMONT
CHIEF OF POLICE
CHIEF
CHIEF
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
600 High Street
Dedham, MA 02026
Phone 781-751-9300
Fax 781-751-9330
www.dedhampolice.org
Dedham Police Department Citizen Survey Summary
During February and March of 2013, the Dedham Police Department conducted a survey seeking
citizen input related to police services in the community. The Department would like to thank
those that participated. Citizen input is greatly appreciated and important in directing programs
and activities of the Police Department. Community members and the Police Department along
with other departments and agencies must work together to ensure public safety and improve
the quality of life experienced by our citizens. Below, please find a summary of the survey
results. A separate traffic related analysis was also completed and is available as a separate
document.
517 survey responses (474 complete responses)
An overwhelming majority of respondents indicated:
Have interacted with a Dedham Police Officer within the prior 2 years (76%);
Experienced a positive interaction (91%);
Citizen concerns were adequately addressed (90%).
Response times were within expectations or sooner (94%)
Officers exhibit appropriate knowledge (91%)
Officers keep citizens informed of actions being taken (86%)
Top crime related concerns of respondents (concerned + very concerned responses):
-
Illegal Drugs (68%)
School safety (68%)
Child safety in neighborhoods (66%)
Burglary (65%)
Alcohol use by under aged people (65%)
TOWN OF DEDHAM
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
_______________
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
MICHAEL J.
D’ENTREMONT
CHIEF OF POLICE
600 High Street
Dedham, MA 02026
Phone 781-751-9300
Fax 781-751-9330
www.dedhampolice.org
CHIEF
CHIEF Least concerning situations:
-
Parking problems (70%)
Bicycles riding against traffic (64%)
Noise (64%)
Solicitors in your neighborhood (61%)
Loitering (56%)
Crime perception:
Majority feel crime in Dedham is similar to area communities (54%)
38% feel there is more crime in Dedham than area communities
-
NIBRS (National Incident Based Reporting) data does not necessarily reflect this. NIBRS
data is reported to the State each month;
Possible influence by media reporting?
55% think crime has increased in Dedham over the past 12 months:
-
Specific crime data fluctuates from year to year
NIBRS data reflects a 9% decrease in reported crime from 2011 to 2012
Most significant year over year decrease-shoplifting (-36%)
Most significant increase year over year-theft from vehicles (+27%)
32% reported having curtailed activities due to crime concerns
24% reported that they generally do not see police in their neighborhoods:
-
Respondents from 82 streets reporting:
o
o
Included 11 main streets which cruisers commonly traverse (two could be
respondents from far end of street)
Three streets are housing complex streets
TOWN OF DEDHAM
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
_______________
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
MICHAEL J.
D’ENTREMONT
CHIEF OF POLICE
CHIEF
CHIEF
600 High Street
Dedham, MA 02026
Phone 781-751-9300
Fax 781-751-9330
www.dedhampolice.org
92% report they would not hesitate to call the Dedham Police for assistance:
-
-
Press information has been released and posted on www.dedhampolice.org related to
what to expect when you call. There appears to be some misunderstanding with
regards to questions being asked by dispatchers. This information has also been
incorporated into our Citizens Police Academy program to educate the public in the role
of Dispatchers
A dispatcher call back program has been initiated to keep citizens informed with regards
to how their issue is being resolved if desired
Animal Control responses are desired
91% of respondents feel the Dedham Police Department is doing a good/excellent job in
providing services
Desired resource focus:
Most desired:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identifying illegal drug dealers (57%)
Registered sex offender tracking (39%)
Crime prevention (37%)
Neighborhood patrols (28%)
Motor vehicle enforcement (26%)
Least desired:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Police athletic league (33%)
Mountain bike patrol (26%)
Internet crimes (26%)
Neighborhood meetings (24%)
Monitoring areas youth tend to loiter (23%)
TOWN OF DEDHAM
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
_______________
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
MICHAEL J.
D’ENTREMONT
CHIEF OF POLICE
CHIEF
CHIEF
Neighborhood concerns:
-
Vary by neighborhood
Likely to be of concern:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Illegal drugs are easy to obtain (31%)
Burglary/theft (30%)
Speeding/reckless operation (27%)
Minors are involved with alcohol (21%)
Not likely to be of concern:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Noisy neighbors (56%)
Illegal dumping/littering (47%)
Illegal drug use/transactions are visible (38%)
Acts of vandalism/graffiti (35%)
23.4% of respondents would be interested in attending a Citizens Police Academy
34% of respondents would be interested in participating in National Night Out events
-
Desire for increased youth outreach
Some indicated health issues prevent them from participating
Demographics:
56% of respondents are between 30 and 49 years of age
56% of respondents are female
600 High Street
Dedham, MA 02026
Phone 781-751-9300
Fax 781-751-9330
www.dedhampolice.org
TOWN OF DEDHAM
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
_______________
MICHAEL J.
D’ENTREMONT
CHIEF OF POLICE
CHIEF
CHIEF
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
600 High Street
Dedham, MA 02026
Phone 781-751-9300
Fax 781-751-9330
www.dedhampolice.org
The Police Department continues to review the survey results in order to implement strategies
to address citizen concerns. The following actions have been taken since the survey concluded
consistent with the survey results:
-
A partnership has been established with a Federal agency focusing on drug
enforcement;
-
A second School/Community Resource Officer has been assigned. School/Community
Resource Officers will be trained in and incorporate crime prevention into their
assignment;
-
Walk and talk patrols have been initiated in two commercial areas on a regular basis;
-
A call back program has been initiated with the Central Dispatch Center to keep citizens
who call to report issues informed of actions taken if desired;
-
Community education related to what to expect when calling for emergency services
has been released and incorporated into our Citizen Police Academy;
-
A sex offender presentation took place for Dedham Public Schools PTO’s ;
-
Canine Control has been expanded to Animal Control to deal with all domestic animals
and wildlife. Animal Control oversight has been transferred to the Police Department;
-
Department members have attended training related to forming a Substance Abuse
Coalition and Community Norms;