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Public Safety
KEY FINDINGS:
Eighty percent of Sangamon County residents report that they feel safe walking alone at
night in their neighborhood compared to 17 percent reporting that they feel unsafe.
These results are consistent with the 2013 survey and do not indicate a significant
change in perceptions of public safety among Sangamon County residents.
Seven percent of residents feel less safe in their home now than they did a year ago.
Perceptions of law enforcement presence have decreased with only 22 percent of
respondents reporting that they see police or other types of law enforcement patrolling
their neighborhood (or street) “very often,” compared to 31 percent in 2013.
African-American residents report a higher law enforcement presence in their
neighborhoods and also report feeling “safe” while walking alone at night in their
neighborhoods at a higher rate than white residents. However, they are more likely to
report that they feel “less safe” in their homes now compared to a year ago.
One-fourth of female Sangamon County residents report feeling “unsafe” walking alone
at night in their neighborhood or on their street.
Perceptions of Public Safety
20%
18%
16%
14%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
0%
19%
17%
11%
11%
8%
7%
Percent who feel unsafe
walking alone at night
Percent who feel less safe
in their homes
African-American residents
Percent who report not
seeing law enforcement
White residents