HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-28-1998 ICPD Reports/Memos IOWA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
410 E.A.ST WAfiHIINrGTON STREL~T, IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240
019) 356-5275 · FAX ~ 019) 356-5449
Media Release
06/18/98
7:14 AM
In an effort to find out how better the Iowa City Police Department can serve the
community a survey was distributed the first week in June. Officers delivered the surveys
to homes, businesses and handed them out at neighborhood watch meetings. The
residents and businesses of 8 randomly selected neighborhoods were asked to complete a
questionnaire and mail it back to the police department. There were three questions on
the surveys;
· Regarding you geographic neighborhood, what do you feel are the concerns the Iowa
City Police Department should be address'rog? (List in order of importance.)
· How could the police department better serve the community?.
· What message would you like the police department to hear?
Approximately 20 % of the surveys were returned to the police department. The returns
were summarized and distributed to each of the Watch Commanders. The Watch
Commanders will make the results available for officers to review.
Summaries of the survey for media personnel are available upon request fi-om Sgt. Steffen.
Sgt. Jim Steffen.
IOWA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEY
OAKLAND AVENUE
Regarding your geographic neighborhood, what do you feel are the
concerns the Iowa City Police Department should be addressing? (List in
order of importance)
Report of drug dealers living and selling drugs in the Longfellow School area. A
problem already known to Police -- out of concern it is disconcerting to have such
criminals nearby.
Too many stop signs placed just to discourage people from other neighborhoods
from driving through here, especially the two on Sheridan at the comer of
Oakland, which are often ignored and thereby increase risk to cars and
pedestrians. Lowering the speed limit to 20 miles per hour and putting up school
crossing signs would be more effective and would decrease pollution from cars.
I am a senior citizen, live independently, have wonderful neighbors and feel quite
safe in this environment, of course can not predict the future or even tomorrow.
Safety and protection of children in the area and Longfellow School area are
always a concern of mine, and the same concem for eldedy and the less
fortunate, ie disabled.
How could the police department better serve the community?
More frequent neighborhood patrols.
Monitoring Sycamore Mall after shops close there, as well as other large
shopping areas at night, even if private lots. (I felt very insecure at the Mall when
I saw the kind of men hanging around there the few times I was there. I
hesitated to go to my car until I felt it safe to do so.)
Having better lane markings on dark stretches toward Wal-Mart, Burlington east
of Riverside, Mormon Trek North f¢om Melrose. Often cracks in cement are only
guidelines. College Street between Linn & Gilbert should be parallel parking on
both sides.
It would be helpful for senior women, especially to have suggestions on how to
cope with intruders once inside one's house and how to cope with repairmen
there to make repairs, but who stealthily enter closed rooms and areas where
they have no right to be. I find repairmen are very impertinent today and insist on
doing what and going where they choose regardless of what they are told. Some
are brazen thieves. They could become dangerous if challenged.
I have been extremely busy with urgent matters. This is a tardy reply. Is the
south end of Maggard Street the location of a drug dealer's place of bushiness? ~°A
passerby mentioned it. =.:c- ~ "'~
r'-
I realize the traffic and road marking matters are not strictly a police matter to
solve, but become one when there are accidents. Some areas mentioned may
have had some improvements made since I drove through them. They are
especially bad on dark rainy nights.
The only suggestions I have at this time would be to see more police visibility in
the area, to give children the impression of support from the police department. I
fully realize there are neighborhood areas requiring more patrolling than the
Oakland Avenue area, however, visibility is important. I certainly have no
complaints regarding police service and protection.
What message would you like the police department to hear?
Generally the Iowa City Police Department is conscientious and responsive. I
appreciated their attention when I had problems.
Compassion and let people know you care about them.
IOWA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEY
1400 block Prairie Du Chien Road
Regarding your geographic neighborhood, what do you feel are the
concerns the Iowa City Police Department should be addressing? (List in
order of importance)
Wants a stop light at Dodge / Prairie Du Chien Road
Speeding cars
Door to door solicitors
No newsletter in quite some time
Speeding on Prairie Du Chien Road
How could the police department better serve the community?
Appreciate newsletter - likes hearing about scares - likes the visibility of patrol
cars in the area.
Try to stop and talk to the children so they know you are there to always help
them - they are our future (from an 80 year old).
What message would you like the police department to hear?
Thanks for the survey. Keep attention focused on gangs, feels aggressive acts
may reduce future problems.
I think the department is doing a very good job. I know it is sometimes very
difficult.
They are doing an OK job.
IOWA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEY
ABBEY LANE
Regarding your geographic neighborhood, what do you feel are the
concerns the Iowa City Police Department should be addressing? (List in
order of importance)
I would say there are no urgent concems. So far it has been a quiet
neighborhood. The houses and lawns are well kept. Perhaps the sidewalks
should be checked for those sections which have raised or sunk.
New street light on Abbey was really needed. Burry is till a very dark street.
Street lights are too far apart. Neighbors need to clip back of their trees better.
Drivers (especially teenagers) speeding in the neighborhood.
Drivers fail to stop at intersection of DolarVAbbey - many children plan in or near
these streets.
Cars block fire hydrant access (2331 Abbey).
Cars frequently run stop at West High School exit (Melrose).
Speed of cars on neighboring streets
Monitor park areas.
Monitor for speeding on traffic, o c...
Extra patrol reference patrol from Dolan Place.
I live in a safe neighborhood. I am happy with the protection and preser~--e-see;o, ---
with the Iowa City Police Department. _:
Brighter and more street lights. -~," "~ .
How could the police department better serve the community?
I think regular patrol checks through the area, at different times during the day
and night, would be helpful.
Why don't police use stun guns or tranquilizer bullets instead of lethal bullets?
I'm afraid that someone I know and love will be accidentally shot. I'm afraid that
gangs are unstoppable.
More patrolling of neighborhoods. In one year at current address, I have seen
one patrol car on one occasion.
Random checkpoints to identify DUI's.
Intentionally drive through our neighborhoods.
The drug/gang element downtown worries me. I also think some people hesitate
to go downtown because they don't like the look of some folks on the pad mall.
Can anyone sing and ask for $'s in the mall?
Be more visible, patrol neighborhood areas as much as possible, more
policemen if necessary.
More Neighborhood Watch Newsletters - current about 2 per year. Would like
more like 4 per year.
06/23/98
Don't know who to call when they see graffiti. Walking bridge over Riverside &
Newton on the bridge abutment - graffiti has been there for years - Who's
responsible for getting rid of it. Aisc the electrical pole on Mormon Trek & Benton
seems to have a lot, but I don't know who to call.
What message would you like the police department to hear?
When the development on Mormon Trek is more nearly completed, I think there
will be traffic problems resulting. This is especially true since Mormon Trek
changes from four lanes to two shortly after the intersection with Abbey Lane. I
think the Police Department should use it's influence to get Mormon Trek four-
lane all the way to Highway 1. Eventually also, a traffic light will be needed at
Mormon Trek and Abbey Lane.
Think you're doing a great job! I've been stopped enough as a driver that I feel
your presence everywhere! If you stop everyone as much as you've stopped me,
you are really busy.
Continue to police bars, etc.
Protect pedestrians downtown.
Enforce speed limits, etc. in residential neighborhoods.
Great job at controlling cdme in general ~ Thanks!
Doing a good job. Please continue minimal use of force-guns. Concentrate on
neighborhoods with problems and downtown areas.
Don't worry - be happy. I think you do well. I'm sorry you don't get the positives
you deserve.
Very happy with the Police Department. Should triple in size. Son just finished
driver's ed and they all talk about not driving through University Heights because
of speeding tickets. Wouldn't it be nice if Iowa City had enough police that the
kids would say that about our department.
06/23/98
IOWA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEY
TAYLOR DRIVE
Regarding your geographic neighborhood, what do you feel are the
concerns the Iowa City Police Department should be addressing? (List in
order of importance)
Drugs
Loud stereo's in automobiles
How could the police department better serve the community?
Sounds to us (wife and me) that you are now on the right track on the Taylor
Drive and Broadway situation
What message would you like the police department to hear?
There should be more of you on the streets of iowa City. Forget the library
expansion and hire more cops.
IOWA GIT```/ POLICE DEPARTMENT NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEY
N. MT. VERNON DRIVE
Regarding your geographic neighborhood, what do you feel are the
concerns the Iowa City Police Department should be addressing? (List in
order of importance)
Very satisfied - Quiet neighborhood
Speeding traffic
Speeding that occurs after school. Mt. Vernon Drive is a very wide street and a
bus route. It seems to draw speeders from Washington to Rochester Avenue.
Also, no one seems to obey the stop signs on Princeton at Mt. Vernon Drive in
either direction.
Quick response to emergency
The only problem I really see is every school day when City High gets out, are
the teenagers speeding down E. Washington from 1st Avenue.
Speeding on Washington Street (east of 1st Avenue)
Safety issues on First Avenue - so many children bike (drivers' courtesy to
bicyclists)
Bike patrol downtown Ped Mall a great idea - courteous (I've watched them
interact with groups of kids)
Safety issues at high school & junior high
Speeding & Teen parties - neither is a serious problem in this neighborh(;~d at
this time.
Drag racing/speeding on Washington Street hills
Loud stereo music .-
Dogs left out all day that bark all day.
Speeding ~--': .-:..
Failure to stop at stop signs
Regular neighborhood patrols, especially late in the evening.
Offer neighborhood seminars on vadous aspects of cdme prevention and
schedule them at the Rec Center or some place where there will be enough room
to accommodate larger groups.
How could the police department better serve the community?
Patrol area more often
Officers in patrol cars look unfriendly
Routine presence in area
Place increased resources to control gangs involved in crime and drug
distribution
Outreach programs for kids and parents - issues of civility, mutual respect
Neighborhood beat - familiar faces, like in the old days, conversations
Neighborhood "town meetings" - communication of issues and solutions
Community Policing - continue developing rapport, especially in specific hot spot
areas, such as SE (Broadway) area, downtown
Doing a good job already
Continue to work on improving community visibility.
Work with BIC to increase emphasis on bicycle safety.
What message would you like the police department to hear?
Seems to be more young children in neighborhood so speeders present larger
problem. Overall very happy with Police Department.
I would like to be able to approach an officer without being intimidated. I haven't
had to do this, but would like to know it's possible.
Each officer act as if a member of the community look and act friendly. Citizens
and police are not enemies, yet I believe some police feel it's "us against the
public".
All things considered, I think they're doing a good job.
We appreciate you and want to work with you for the benefit of all.
The changes you have instituted are the dght ones - just need to continue.
They are appreciated for all the good that they do for our community.
You're doing a good job and we appreciate your efforts!
IOWA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEY
BANCROFT
Regarding your geographic neighborhood, what do you feel are the
concerns the Iowa City Police Department should be addressing? (List in
order of importance)
Gang related activities
Drug trafficking
Gun control
Drug trafficking / weapon availability
Gang activity and potential for violence
Speeding traffic .
How could the police department better serve the community?
By explaining their fome in order to provide more constant and dependable
protection. Providing information to our neighborhood that insures our safety, as
well as aids us in helping remove the problem citizens.
Have more police for continued visibility and frequent patrolling in neighborhood.
What message would you like the police department to hear?
Help us get rid of the gang members and drug users and sellers in our areal!!
The neighborhood around Taylor - Davis - Sandusky continues to deteriorate.
Although with increased patrols has at least temporarily quieted. In the past this
was a quiet family neighborhood. Now there is visible drug activity, loitering,
unkept property, group activity at Wetherby Park and lots of cruising sometimes
at high rates of speed. It is rumored that there are high volumes of
guns/weapons on Davis Street. Fo~' the first time in over 20 years I have lived
here, I fear for the safety of children and adults alike. I would like to see the
police stay very visible in this area, enough that patrol officers are known to the
children and families that live here.
IOWA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEY
MIAMI DRIVE
Regarding your geographic neighborhood, what do you feel are the
concerns the Iowa City Police Department should be addressing? (List in
order of importance)
Gangs - members, violence, graffiti (By the way -- it's the foolish who say the
extra-length patrolling after the gang problems around Taylor and Broadway was
a waste and unnecessary. The majority appreciated knowing they were
protected and looked after.
Increase in gangs
Drug availability
Speeders - noisy cars
Street storage - parking
How could the police department better serve the community?
Don't back down (or look like it) to minority voices such as homosexuals, animal
rights groups, angry fathers, etc. Being too polite can be misconstrued as
backing them or being bullied.
What message would you like the police department to hear?
I wish the media would stop giving the PD such a poor image. I guess that's
what happens when society as a whole refuses to submit to authority. Also, on a
totally different subject, DARE is blown way out of proportion. The department
spends and has spent enormous, unsolicited funds to create a project that tickles
ears and given warm fuzzies. I'm n.ot saying "ditch" the whole thing; just a major
down scale to eliminate excess spending, i.e., overtime pay for officers, pizza
parties, pencils (junk), renting rooms, etc.
Personally, I think $20/hr (or however much they make) is a little too high of pay
for an officer to stand at a school crossing.
Doing a good job.
IOWA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEY
UNKNOWN WHICH LOCATION
Regarding your geographic neighborhood, what do you feel are the
concerns the Iowa City Police Department should be addressing? (List in
order of importance)
Roaming bands of youth with seemingly nothing to do.
Stopping youths from urinating on my bushes
Cars speeding down the street
Safety and security
How could the police department better serve the community?
Get out of the patrol cars once in a while
Be more visable in the neighborhood
Please continue to patrol any and all areas that seem necessary. Enfome the
laws and regulations on the downtown plaza and surrounding area so it is safe
and enjoyable for the Iowa City residents. I can appreciate the bicyclists wishing
to have the motorists' respect their use of the public streets. Likewise, they
should respect the motorists and obey the same traffic laws.
What message would you like the police department to hear?
The department from top to bottom needs moro training. Raise requirements for
entry and retention.
We have no criticism of the Iowa C~y Police Department.