Feedback Sought on Crime and Safety in Seattle

Those who live or work in Seattle have until November 30 to complete Seattle University’s annual public safety survey. The survey, administered by SU’s Crime and Justice Research Center (CJRC) in conjunction with the Seattle Police Department (SPD), plays a pivotal role in helping determine what the most common perceptions of crime and safety in Seattle are among residents and workers.

“The public safety survey is our longest running source of information on trust, safety, legitimacy and community priority and is the cornerstone of the Micro-Community Policing Plans,” says SPD Interim Chief Sue Rahr. “It serves a critical community engagement function, as well as establishing policing priorities for each neighborhood and essential baseline data for evidence-based policing. We are so grateful for this valuable partnership with Seattle University.”

The annual survey is a central component of SPD’s Micro-Community Policing Plans. It is independently conducted by a research team from SU’s Department of Criminal Justice, Criminology & Forensics.

Led by Dr. Jacqueline Helfgott, director of the CJRC, a team of Seattle University undergraduate and graduate students analyze the survey results to identify top crime concerns at the citywide, precinct and micro-community (neighborhood) level. Professor Helfgott encourages the public to complete the survey during this public phase of the data collection process.

“The voices of all who live and/or work in Seattle are needed to understand how crime and public safety impact quality of life in Seattle neighborhoods,” says Dr. Helfgott. “No neighborhood in Seattle is alike when it comes to crime and public safety. Data from the annual Seattle Public Safety Survey provides important information for the city to help the Seattle Police Department and the community work together to identify priorities and strategies to improve quality of life in Seattle neighborhoods.”

In the 2023 survey, the top-five concerns citywide were traffic safety, police capacity, property crime, homelessness and community capacity.

Don’t hesitate to have your voice heard. Participate in the survey by November 30.