City Services Satisfaction Survey 2010 City Services Satisfaction Survey | Page 21

Neighborhoods
Arlington residents continue to rate their neighborhoods moderately high in terms of
quality of life, same as in 2008 (77% “excellent” or “good”).
Residents’ perceptions of major neighborhood problems generally appear to be
consistent from the previous years. Condition of major and residential streets and
car/residential burglaries remain among the top concerns for residents.
However, compared to 2008, there are significant improvements in citizens’
perceptions of neighborhood problems. The areas that indicated improvements are:
• Property cleanliness and maintenance
• Weeds and unmowed grass
• Neighborhood gangs
• Violent crime
• Graffiti
• Vehicles parked in yards
• Condition of parks and park facilities
• Dilapidated buildings and houses.
Overall sense of safety in neighborhoods and in Arlington appears to be positive in
general. Neighborhoods in Arlington continue to be rated very safe for walking alone
during the day (very safe 74% or somewhat safe 22%), though much lower at night, as
only one out of three residents say they would feel very safe walking alone in their
neighborhood at night. Not surprisingly, residents feel most unsafe walking in Arlington
business areas at night. However, it is notable that a top-two-box safety rating of
business area at night has declined significantly since the last wave (from 61%
very/somewhat safe in 2008 to 53% in 2009).
The vast majority of residents (85%) report that neither they, nor anyone in their
household, have been the victim of any crime in the past 12 months. Of those who
were a crime victim, most (85%) reported the crime to the police.
Although neighborhood gang activity is not perceived as a major problem, it is
noteworthy that there seem to be general concerns about gang issues in Arlington.
Slightly less than two out of three residents (63%) have heard of, or are aware of, gang
problems in Arlington, and about one in five are concerned.
Decision Analyst, Inc.
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