Clearwater Police Department
Customer Satisfaction Survey Results

Released August 21, 2002

Section A asked questions regarding the respondents' own neighborhood.  For the purpose of tabulation responses of "Strongly Agree" and "Agree" were combined into one category.  Responses of "Disagree" and "Strongly Disagree" were also combined into one category.

10. In your opinion what is the most serious crime problem or other police-related problem in your neighborhood?

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Section B asked questions about the respondents' opinions of the Police Department employees they have had contact with, and if they were not satisfied why they were not.

Of the 175 total respondents, 95 or 54.3% reported having at least one contact with police. 

Next respondents were asked to tell what Police Department employee they had contact with the most recently.

Respondents were then asked to rate the employee they had the contact with.  Responses of "Very Good" and "Good" were combined into one category, and "Poor" and "Very Poor" were combined into one category.  The results may not always total 100% due to respondent’s only answering part of the questions.

Next the respondents having contact with the Police Department in the past year were asked two specific questions regarding the service they received.

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Question B7 asked if the respondent was not satisfied to please tell us why they were not satisfied.

• Did not listen.

• Officer seemed uncertain.

• Drug dealers disrespect law.

• Unhappy with specific officer.

• Response an imposition, nothing we can do.

• The problem took to long to accomplish (1yr.) Then they moved on to another area.

• Officer questioned me I had witnesses.

• Officers judge people by where they live, and treat them like dirt.

• When vehicle B/E'd, no officer sent out, phone report only.  Nothing done about traffic violations/speeders.

• Criminal never caught.  Was never reimbursed for damage.

• Excessive patrolling on Clearwater Beach.

• Called about a stolen grill and never received a call back.

• Dept. Policy no ticket for responsible driver if car can be driven and no ambulance needed.

• Did not listen.

• Felt she deserved warnings.

• Has not received copy of report.

• Lack of info on homeless program. Homeless panhandling. I was told it was not illegal.

• No follow-up.  Officers consider my stolen outboard motor no more serious than a bicycle theft.

• Officer should have phoned for legal advice.

• 5 break-ins, no one caught.  No follow-up on shooting into house.

• Unable to find point of intrusion.

• Nothing done (neighbor waters his lawn always).

• The officer underplayed my situation.  Drug dealer should have been arrested; was not pursued.

• No police officer responded.

• Inappropriate dispatching

• Unhappy with results of neighbor/dog problem investigation.

• Training cones confusing; received ticket.

• One of the officers that came to the house was rude, the other nice.

• Officer directed us to the Sheriff-not his jurisdiction - Sheriff said it wasn't theirs-nothing done.

• Didn't do anything about it.

• I received a speeding ticket and the officer was rude and sarcastic.  Warning would have been sufficient.

• The report made needs to be amended.  The suspects were not contacted.

• Report drug activity and nothing done.

• Window shot out of car. Only took verbal report. Wanted an officer dispatched to see. Felt ignored.

• No follow up.

Question B8 asked the respondent if they were satisfied with the service to tell us why.

• Very professional-showed lots of decorum

• Neighborhood patrol

• Quick, pleasant, efficient, easy

• Knowing community officers

• Did a drive by to check on noisy neighbors

• Officer attentive and caring

• Police Responded

• 95% of CPD are courteous and helpful

• Prompt Arrival

• Everyone was courteous and polite.

• Officer who investigated my accident did a good job.

• Not satisfied

• Arrived immediately. Were concerned and very polite

• Some officers are sarcastic and rude.

• In every occasion, they did their job promptly and professionally

• Quick and informative

• Driver gave false accident information Officer conducted professional, courteous, comforting inquiry

• Police handled the situation immediately.

• Officer responded to accident in a timely fashion.

• They handled it well.

• Traffic police used wrong citation

• Obtained needed information.

• Officer was polite and helpful

• Officer was competent and courteous.

• Officer was very helpful

• Fast response, helpful

• Quick response, very nice.

• Officer avoided altercation

• All precautions taken for safety of residents

• Officer found hit/run driver

• Neighborhood Watch incident.  Response time good.

• Feels officer did the best he could

• The clerk at the station was very good at her job.

• Needed more information about police vehicle on his property

• Understanding and wise regarding call

• Boys stopped using my front yard on a regular basis.  Haven't had a problem since

• The patience and communication

• Courteous and quick in resolving situation

• Empathy was obvious - fast response.

• They gave some ways to solve the problems that I was having with new neighbors.

• The nice officer compensated for the other.  Overall - satisfied.

• Police officers today are very competent.

• Took time and interest on phone and in person.

• Did his job professionally without abuse of power or attitude.

• They answered my questions fine

• Got right to the problem

• Offices responded but activity resumed after they left.

• Efficient in the performance of his duty.  Very informative and courteous.

• Officer was informative and kept me up to date on his progress and explained all my options.

• Response time was very good.

• Prompt response/problem solved

• Officer informed me of the law but did not make me feel uncomfortable.

• He was concerned for my friend (who is elderly) and was very considerate.

• Prompt response; professional.

• Professional manner

• Patient officers.

• Fast service

• Routine traffic violation

• The officer was courteous, helpful, to the point and did not speak down to us.

• When I asked questions, I was able to get sensible answers that satisfied my need to know.

• Polite, felt good that such a minor thing was attended to, I feel safe in my neighborhood.

Section C asked for overall opinions of the Clearwater Police Department as a law enforcement agency.

The next question asked was how did you form the above opinion of the Clearwater Police Department.

The next three questions were general questions about how the respondent feels about calling the Clearwater Police Department and how the Department handles situations.

Question C6 asked the respondent to comment or make suggestions on how we could improve our service.

• I've lived in different cities-Clearwater does a good job

• Faster response time

• More undercover officers

• No suggestions at this time.

• Neighborhood problems, felt confident calling police

• Substations are not working out in N Greenwood area

• More patrols and traffic enforcement

• More involvement with kids

• Lose the attitude/listen

• Clean-up N. Ft. Harrison, especially between Engman & Fairmont St. Also 1820 Douglas Ave.

• Appreciate the patrolling of Crest Lake Park.

• Need a customer complaint office.

• Respect others, as they want the respect.

• More athletic things for kids when on vacation.

• Put real person at end of phone.  Return calls in a more timely manner. Use unmarked vehicle for speed traps.

• Officers in parked cruisers seem to ignore citizens even when it's important

• More lighting, compensation through victim's assistance

• Programs to treat homeless people with compassion

• Too many cars/officers for traffic tickets

• More patrols through area

• Additional policing Winn Dixie Area, and especially business areas.

• Revoke Scientology exemptions so they have to pay property taxes to help support community.

• Concentrate heavily on traffic, not enough on crime

• Immediate response to call

• Personal contact with all people and everyone treated equal.

• Increase traffic enforcement

• Increase night patrols

• Suspects drug dealers in neighborhood and prostitution problem

• See back page

• The media is not always your friend

• Bigger budget

• Speed problem on Union St.

• Traffic Enforcement; Homeless problem at parks and library.

• Follow-up on Crimes

• Traffic violations

• Targeting everyone who drives down Greenwood

• Knowledgeable call takers

• Show courtesy; no closure of situations

• Handle the homeless who are at the library every day consuming alcohol - area unsafe

• Traffic and vagrancy

• Show stronger presence in my neighborhood.

• More obvious patrolling of our neighborhood; stop the speeders - (Palm Terrace).

• Work harder controlling North Greenwood drug area.

• No problem

• Go after road-rages; support positives in the community; show you're with law-abiding citizens.

• Allow off-duty Officer's to take care home.  Police vehicle visibility may help.

• Get the drugs off the street. Drug test your Officers.  Some are doing drugs. This why drug dealers

• Help clean up rough areas and neighborhoods.

• More late night patrols.

• More visibility; enforce traffic laws

• Seem to do a good job

• Keep up the effort to clean up Cleveland St.  I'm noticing a difference.

• Faster service when ticketing for traffic violations.

• Listen. React.

• More visibility.

• More patrol cars riding around.

• Police presence.

• More patrol fro drug areas

• Extra patrol

• More patrols.  Since patrols cut back, small crime skyrocketed.  Theft, harassment from passersby

• More drug enforcement in my area.

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Section D is the demographic section of the survey.

RESIDENT STATUS

AGE BREAKDOWN

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

EDUCATION LEVEL

ETHNIC BACKGROUND

Finally respondents were given an opportunity to write any comments, questions or concerns they may have.  Many respondents wrote voluminous amounts, which were copied and sent directly to the Chief of Police.

• More traffic enforcement

• Clearwater officers the best in county, laid back, not paranoid

• Keep up good work against drugs

• Inappropriate response to incidents; unnecessary force.

• One family in the neighborhood is bring it down, Can't you help. CPD knows this family. What is taking so long?

• Not happy on how he was treated. Realizes how different each officer can be, some not as friendly as others.

• Does not believe kids should be playing with fireworks no matter what holiday it is. It’s too dangerous.

• Felt safer with officers around during a domestic dispute.

• Police should patrol red light running diligently. It kills many more than just speed. I have often seen people run red lights, even w/police car right there at the intersection, and have yet to see the police pull anyone over.

• Thank you for the survey. Why do officers sit on Greenwood and see drug dealers dealing and not do anything?  Neighborhoods are getting worse because officers are more concerned with speeding than with drugs.

• Something needs to be done about the noise, loitering, drugs, dogs on leashes, cats running wild, etc.

• Thank you for taking time to ask what citizens think.

• Neighborhood not as safe as twenty years ago due to theft in Winn Dixie area.  We were able to walk there and shop.  Lost Hallmark, two Women's shop, beauty parlor, drug store, restaurant, and florist.

• Police need to be less "Cocky"!  My experiences I have seen an attitude problem.

• Disagree with officers working extra duty jobs for Scientology.  Do not approve of open door policy to the homeless.

• Lack of communication to neighborhood residents during incident.

• Keep up the good work!

• 88 year old female who lives alone.  She is confident that police would help her if needed.

• Appreciates patrols by officers

• Upset about Scientologists.  Had incident three years ago, still unhappy.  Says we don’t need PD or government.

• Feels safe and enjoys living in City.  Keep up good work.

• Need visible Officers at various hours to deter criminal activity

• Response on questionnaire too broad. Homeless problem at park and library.

• More extra patrols

• Better response time; be more courteous

• Unhappy with service and attitudes.

• Traffic on Highland Ave and the lack of decrease in the homeless population at Crest Lake Park

• The incident mentioned in Section B, #7 has left me w/ less than good impression of the CPD, but, thank you for the opportunity to give my opinion.

• I am pleased with the department.  I would like to see more patrol in Palm Terrace neighborhood - bike police would be great.  Keep up the great work!

• I think you all do a fine job considering the judicial obstacles you face.  Keep up the good work!!

• Thank you for what you do to keep Clearwater safe!

• The areas of Betty Lane between Union St. and Douglas Avenue to Drew St. are highly infested with Drugs.  This concerns us greatly.

• Many Spanish people in the City of Clearwater enjoy soccer and make use of the many fields in the area.  I would like to see more Police in those areas.  I have not seen enough presence of Police in those areas.

• Drugs are being sold on Cider and Blanch Little John Trail.  Why don't you stop them!!!!!

• Need more police presents due to drug activity (Greenwood).  Dealers leave when officers arrive and return once they're gone.

• My observation has been how the CPD has handled an ongoing domestic dispute from a family next door.  I have come to respect your departments handling of such an issue.  Good job, and thanks!

• I have had 4 bikes stolen in the past 3 yrs on N. Saturn Ave.  Would like to see more patrols after 5pm.  Would like to see CPD prevent theft and prowling at night as much as they prevent speeding around my neighborhood.

• Doing a good job.  Grateful citizen

• Thanks for the bike patrols, and the motorcycle team for writing lots of tickets.  CPD is doing a great job.

• The response time was poor when I called for service regarding my ex-husband violating a restraining order.  The officers were helpful, concerned and understanding, but it left me with the impression that I hope nothing any more serious happens.

• Police are not around to stop traffic violators.

• Traffic problems; US 19 problems;

• Police benevolent stop calling for money.

• Spend more money on law enforcement not round about.

• Very happy with the police service.

• Drugs are prominent in my area.  We could use random foot or bike patrols.  The neighborhood and ex drug dealers and users would help with identification.