Survey: 98% Feel Safe In Their Neighbourhoods

July 12, 2013

[Updated with video] According to a recent survey, 98% of residents indicated that they felt extremely or mostly safe in their own neighbourhood, an increase of 8% from last year, Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley today [July 12] in the House of Assembly.

The Minister was referencing the Bermuda Omnibus Survey which was conducted in June 2013, with a sample of 404 residents asked about safety in their neighbourhood.

Minister Dunkley said, “Almost all Bermuda residents report feeling safe in their own neighbourhood, and far more residents now indicate feeling extremely safe.

“In June 2012 91% of residents indicated that they felt extremely or mostly safe; in June of 2013, that number had risen to 98%, an increase of 9%. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, in June 2012 9% of respondents said they felt mostly or extremely unsafe; while in June 2013 only 2% indicated they felt mostly unsafe and 0% felt extremely unsafe.

“Results show that nearly all residents feel either extremely or mostly safe in their neighbourhood with the degree of feeling safe having improved dramatically in the last year. Twenty-eight percent of residents report feeling extremely safe, an increase of 16 percentage points since this question was last posed.

“Let me be very clear; this does not mean that our crime problem is solved; it does not mean that we have eliminated the culture of gangs in the community and it by no means indicates that the work of the Bermuda Police Service in the fight against guns, gangs, drugs and violence is over.

“These results indicate that we are on the right track and that we must continue to do what we have been doing in order to quell the violence and anti-social behaviour,” continued the Minister.

Other results released from the survey indicated that seven in ten residents said they are satisfied with the overall performance of the new OBA Government, with satisfaction higher among white residents [93%] than black residents [55%].

Minister Dunkley’s full statement follows below:

Mr. Speaker, this Government came to office against the background of considerable public concern about safety and security in Bermuda.

People expressed themselves strongly about the need for their leaders to tackle the issues of community safety.

Mr. Speaker, we heard those concerns and immediately took action to do whatever we could to make Bermuda safer.

Honourable Members will be aware of this Government’s commitment to support the Bermuda Police Service in their efforts to make Bermuda safer. In February, this was manifested in the increased financial support in the Police budget with funding for an additional twenty officers to swell the ranks of the BPS to 450 and a total funding commitment of $50,000 to strengthen the Police Complaints Authority.

Mr. Speaker, the success of the Bermuda Police Service and the test of the Ministry of Public Safety’s investment in their core functions is seen not only in the number of crimes prevented or solved. It is not only to be seen in the sound convictions and long sentences achieved through the Courts. It is not even properly measured only through cash seized or weapons taken off the streets.

All of this counts for nothing Mr. Speaker, if the people of Bermuda do not feel safe in their own homes and in their neighbourhoods. Making Bermuda safer means making our people feel safer.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members will be familiar with the Bermuda Omnibus Survey which is conducted periodically on a variety of issues in the community.

Mr. Speaker, in a survey taken between 4th and 19th June of this year, of a sample of 404 residents over the age of 18, respondents were asked about safety in their neighbourhood.

I am pleased to advise Honourable Members that almost all Bermuda residents report feeling safe in their own neighbourhood, and far more residents now indicate feeling extremely safe.

In June 2012 91% of residents indicated that they felt extremely or mostly safe; in June of 2013, that number had risen to 98%, an increase of 9%. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, in June 2012 9% of respondents said they felt mostly or extremely unsafe; while in June 2013 only 2% indicated they felt mostly unsafe and 0% felt extremely unsafe.

Mr. Speaker, results show that nearly all residents feel either extremely or mostly safe in their neighbourhood with the degree of feeling safe having improved dramatically in the last year. Twenty-eight percent of residents report feeling extremely safe, an increase of 16 percentage points since this question was last posed.

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear; this does not mean that our crime problem is solved; it does not mean that we have eliminated the culture of gangs in the community and it by no means indicates that the work of the Bermuda Police Service in the fight against guns, gangs, drugs and violence is over.

These results indicate that we are on the right track and that we must continue to do what we have been doing in order to quell the violence and anti-social behaviour.

Mr. Speaker, residents were also asked about their current feelings of safety in their neighbourhood compared to those from six months ago. The majority of Bermuda residents indicate that they feel they are as safe as they were six months ago and of note, far fewer residents feel their neighbourhoods have become less safe. In June 2012, 58% indicated they felt as safe as they did 6 months ago; by June of 2013 that number had increased to 73%. Conversely, 31% said they felt less safe in June 2012 and that number dropped to 9% in June 2013. Mr. Speaker, 10% of respondents said they felt safer in June 2012 while that finding increased to 18% by June 2013.

Mr. Speaker, the results are encouraging but also indicate that there is still work to do. Male residents are more likely to report that they feel extremely safe compared to female residents. Crimes against women and the feeling of vulnerability women experience must continue to be addressed so that safety becomes less dictated by gender.

Mr. Speaker, these are hard-won results. This Government has kept the focus on the issues surrounding public safety and in so doing the community’s confidence in the ability of our security services is increasing. This has come as a result of sustained effort on the part of the Police and validates the focus set out by the Commissioner and his senior command on guns, gangs, drugs and violence.

We will continue to bring innovation and a “can-do” approach to the initiatives required to support the Police. Gang Mediation, the Gun Bounty, strengthening the Inter-Agency Gang Task Force, supporting the growth of Neighbourhood Watch groups and engaging the community at all levels has played a key part in inspiring public confidence in the work we are doing.

Our priority is to continue to live up to our promise of making Bermuda safer.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Comments (17)

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  1. john says:

    Were the gangster areas polled as well?

    If the safer areas were the only areas polled it would give a very positive result anyway!

  2. Bermuda Cat says:

    This article is BS. People feel safe to something happens to them, but make no mistake, alot of madness is going on as we speak!

    The Bemruda Police don’t event report all the incidents that happen on a weekly basis, so I can see how people would feel safer.

  3. NeedsASpankin' says:

    I live in a semi-gangster neighbourhood, where their offsrping live and rent..
    I am more afraid of their unruly and undisplined children. And I am not talking about teenagers.
    I am talking about the toddlers..there are about 8 of them running all over the place. Hollering, screaming, running naked with soiled diapers in hand while throwing stones and leaving a trail of debris in the neighbourhood.
    And of course their unwed mothers are pregnant with a new batch of terrorists..OMG!!

    What was once a quiet middleclass neighbourhood has turned into bedlam and baby hoodlam hood! They need a jail for unruly toddlers..I was actually thinking of building one in my back yard..but for the risk of getting shot at or killed I decided against it…LOL

    My neighbourhood should have been polled….

  4. NeedsASpankin' says:

    I should have said ” Gangster-In-Training” Neighbourhood

    and noted a few typos:
    *offspring
    *undisciplined
    *hoodlum

  5. funny when all these polls come out i never get a call??only gangsters i worry about are the 36 on the hill gang!!!

  6. Y-Gurl says:

    This is part of the BPS,s bullSh!t in trying to Have us believe they are doing a good job fact is we don’t feel safe, not even in town and the reason for that is that we have little or no confidence that the cops can actually catch criminals, the crooks know it and take advantage of that fact, Dunkley is being fed BS from the senior people at the BPS who rightly so should be VERY concerned about keeping their jobs due to the dismal results over the last 8years or so, this “survey” has been manufactured to give the political figures something they want to hear

    • edwin says:

      @Y-Gurl, well said.Nothing bad is being said because there’s a new sherrif in town.

    • Come Correct says:

      I feel safe in my neighborhood but not because of the boys in blue. Actually, the way I was approached a few nights ago I’m more afraid of the BPS/PS crew than any others on the island, no wonder people don’t want to give the information.

  7. pilot011 says:

    All the surveys are crap, people do not feet safe!

  8. pilot011 says:

    All the surveys are crap, people do not feel safe! they really think we are silly.

  9. Time Shall Tell says:

    They obviously didn’t poll my neighborhood…..

  10. ? says:

    It’s Marketing people

  11. Lightbulb..... says:

    They must have interviewed the people on Mars!

    Safe
    [seyf] Show IPA

    adjective, saf·er, saf·est.
    1.
    secure from liability to harm, injury, danger, or risk: a safe place.

    2.
    free from hurt, injury, danger, or risk: to arrive safe and sound.

    3.
    involving little or no risk of mishap, error, etc.: a safe estimate.

    4.
    dependable or trustworthy: a safe guide.

    5.
    careful to avoid danger or controversy: a safe player; a safe play.