Safe Neighborhoods

Definition: Includes how safe people feel in their neighborhoods, crime, policing, and risk perceptions

• "Neighborhoods should be safe and nurturing environments for children."
• "I am afraid even when my son plays in our own yard. I am leery to go out at night at all."
• "Increase police foot and bike patrols."
• "Create safe neighborhood zones by fostering interaction opportunities. People who know each other come to trust each other and watch out for one another."
• "Need to accelerate programs such as Geo-based policing to get tough on juvenile crime, gangs, burglaries, and other neighborhood problems."

• Independent Police Auditor – conveying concerns from citizens about neighborhood crimes and police practices to the appropriate personnel within the Police Department
• Information Outreach – providing citizens the opportunity for direct dialogue with the Police Department through the weekly call-in program "Assignment Tucson"
• City Attorney – prosecuting criminals, educating neighborhoods of their rights under the Neighborhood Protection Act, and supporting the Tucson/Pima Anti-Hate Crimes Task Force
• City Court – mediating family and neighborhood problems through issuance of protection orders, harassment injunctions, and hearings, conducting warrant sweeps, and offering traffic safety classes
• Operations – receiving and processing 9-1-1 calls and coordinating construction of the Multi-Agency Mutual Aid Radio system linking 13 local public safety agencies
• Police – reducing crime through geo-based policing by becoming familiar with assignment areas and working closely with residents and other city departments
• Fire – responding to fire and medical emergencies and maintaining fire stations as neighborhood "safe houses," providing home and business safety inspections
• Planning – supporting the Safe by Design principles through the rezoning and development review processes
• Development Services – conducting plan reviews, issuing construction permits, and conducting inspections to ensure safe and lawfully operated residential and commercial structures, and providing for abatement of dangerous, dilapidated, and uninhabitable structures
• Transportation – ensuring that Safe by Design concepts are integrated into design and construction, administering the residential street lighting program, maintaining crosswalk striping, and installing traffic calming features

1. Number of pedestrians in neighborhoods Counting the number of people out in neighborhoods is one indication of people walking or biking instead of driving. We would expect more people to be visible in neighborhoods as it becomes more appealing to walk and bike places. The number of pedestrians and bicyclists can be measured by counting the number of people seen at certain times in randomly selected areas throughout the year.

Source: Trained observers from community organizations can assist in these "people counts".

2. Neighborhood crime rates The number and severity of crimes is a straightforward way to measure neighborhood safety. Selected crime statistics are used to measure this indicator.

Source: Tucson Police Department Crime Statistics

1997 Crime Picture for Tucson

Tucson's Overall 1997 Crime Rate, given Population Growth, is About the Same as Recent Years.

Tucson's 1997 Crime Totals were up 4.5% from 1996, including noticeable increases in Robberies, Auto Thefts, Frauds, Criminal Damage, and Commercial Sex. Declines were seen in Aggravated Assault, Weapons Crimes and Driving Under the Influence. On a Longer Term Basis, Robbery, Auto Theft, Criminal Damage, Offenses Against Family and Youth, and Runaway Juvenile Crime Rates are at All Time Highs for Tucson.


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3. Percent of people who feel safe in their neighborhood If you want to know the perceived safety of neighborhoods, simply ask residents how safe they feel. Surveys will be conducted to gather this information.

Source: Resident survey

Results from last Tucson Police Department Survey:

• Do you feel safe walking in your neighborhood during the day?
• 90% yes
• Do you feel safe being out in your neighborhood at night?
• 60% yes
• Do you feel safe in your home at night?
• 85% yes

What YOU Can Do

• Get to know your neighbors
• Set a consistently good example for children
• Participate in a neighborhood watch program
• Report any suspicious activity to the Police Department (791-4444, or 911 for emergencies)
• Keep your yard free from rubbish and flammable materials