You will need to use your judgment here. Staffing Levels are determined differently in every area, and so is crime. The best thing to do is try and get an overall feel of the department. Let them know that you are interested in moving into the area or starting a community watch program, and not trying to judge or rate them and their quality of work.
Ask yourself, “Are the neighborhood police helpful and responsive?” “Do the police officers show feelings of umbrage at their treatment by the community, the politicians, or their own infrastructure? Do they appear understaffed, unable to keep up with the crime in the area?“
These are the types of questions you need to ask your local police department to determine your neighborhoods overall safety.
Below is a checklist of questions you can take with you to help assess the police station in your neighborhood. Remember, they may be very busy, so the first visit may just be setting a time to meet with someone who can answer your questions. This is normal, and should be looked at a sign of efficiency as opposed to “not helpful” or “understaffed for the amount of crime”
Questions:
1. Do they feel their staffing levels are adequate?
2. How many cars are out during day and night patrol? (usually half the officers assigned to a station are on patrol at any given time)
3. How long does it take to respond to emergency calls in the area on average?
4. Do they work with any neighborhood watch programs in the area? Will they help facilitate the creation of one?
5. Do the check up on vacant properties when the owners notify them that they are going on a trip
6. Do the merchants and other commercial businesses in the area have surveillance cameras in front of their shops, or just in their stores? Do they co operate with police who may need the footage when investigating a crime?
7. Is there a business community watch program set up between late night and daytime businesses?
8. Is there a current record of all the reported crimes in your area? And if so, what are the numbers like?
These crimes might include:
- Vandalism
- Robbery
- Break and Enter
- Assault
- Theft
- Murder
- Rape
(Sometimes you can find this information by back checking local community papers at their office or library archives.)
9. Does the department see any emerging patterns of criminal behavior with regards to:
- Time of Day?
- Method off Crime?
- Victim Profile?
- Objects Stolen/Vandalized?
- Other?
If you get the feeling that the police already have more than they can handle, you may want to consider moving to a safer area.
Alternatively, if you received warm feedback from your neighbors, actively participating in (or starting) a neighborhood community watch program might be a way to “take back” your community and increase the value of your homes in the process.