Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Survey Says ...
Many thanks to those of you who filled out my 2008 budget survey. I've been worrying about how I can summarize the findings to you, but I just learned my survey company now issues the results in HTML. That makes it easy to post results on the Internet. How cool is that?
I apologize for the length of this post, but especially for those of you who filled out the survey, hopefully it will be worth the screen time. One thing that helps make sense of all the data: the numbers on the far right of the columns. They represent averages. So, for example, you will see the average score for the statement "Lakewood needs more police officers" was 2.28; the average score for the statement "Lakewood has too many police officers" was 4.24. You can quickly see which idea was more popular.
As I have said before, I do these surveys to find out what people are thinking. I don't make up my mind based on surveys. But it is helpful to know, for example, that the majority of citizens agree with me that we need more police. It is helpful to know when I disagree with people. For example, I was surprised how many people either want Lakewood City Council members to be watchdogs of the Clover Park School District, or were ambivalent on the question. That's intriguing. I like knowing that my hunch was wrong because it helps me interpret some of the things I see.
I was also surprised with how many people were OK with tougher design standards for Tillicum. I am not a big government guy, but I think people are saying we should be open to considering ways to make Tillicum better. This tells me that people who propose such tougher design standards are not as lonely as I thought they would be.
Because my survey questions tend to meander, it's almost as if I was able to have coffee with 50 different people at once.
Speaking of meandering, there were a lot of responses that were comments, or lists. You may recall that I asked people to list their main sources for information about events in town. So obviously those lists of answers are not reflected in these numbers. More information about those responses will come later. Meantime, feel free to let me know what you think of the trends shown here:
Forward this post
I apologize for the length of this post, but especially for those of you who filled out the survey, hopefully it will be worth the screen time. One thing that helps make sense of all the data: the numbers on the far right of the columns. They represent averages. So, for example, you will see the average score for the statement "Lakewood needs more police officers" was 2.28; the average score for the statement "Lakewood has too many police officers" was 4.24. You can quickly see which idea was more popular.
As I have said before, I do these surveys to find out what people are thinking. I don't make up my mind based on surveys. But it is helpful to know, for example, that the majority of citizens agree with me that we need more police. It is helpful to know when I disagree with people. For example, I was surprised how many people either want Lakewood City Council members to be watchdogs of the Clover Park School District, or were ambivalent on the question. That's intriguing. I like knowing that my hunch was wrong because it helps me interpret some of the things I see.
I was also surprised with how many people were OK with tougher design standards for Tillicum. I am not a big government guy, but I think people are saying we should be open to considering ways to make Tillicum better. This tells me that people who propose such tougher design standards are not as lonely as I thought they would be.
Because my survey questions tend to meander, it's almost as if I was able to have coffee with 50 different people at once.
Speaking of meandering, there were a lot of responses that were comments, or lists. You may recall that I asked people to list their main sources for information about events in town. So obviously those lists of answers are not reflected in these numbers. More information about those responses will come later. Meantime, feel free to let me know what you think of the trends shown here:
Lakewood survey: The 2008 budget
| 1. Please rate the strength and nature of your response to the following statements. | |||||||
 | Very true | True | I'm neutral or don't know enough | I'd disagree | I'd strongly disagree | Rating Average | Response Count |
| I would be more supportive of using cameras to catch drivers if it was shown the number of accidents was being reduced. | 28.0% (14) | 44.0% (22) | 12.0% (6) | 14.0% (7) | 2.0% (1) | 2.18 | 50 |
| Lakewood needs more police officers. | 23.1% (12) | 32.7% (17) | 38.5% (20) | 3.8% (2) | 1.9% (1) | 2.29 | 52 |
| Lakewood has too many police officers. | 0.0% (0) | 0.0% (0) | 23.5% (12) | 29.4% (15) | 47.1% (24) | 4.24 | 51 |
| I want Lakewood police to have a large, spacious building that would be state-of-the art. | 13.7% (7) | 13.7% (7) | 39.2% (20) | 23.5% (12) | 9.8% (5) | 3.02 | 51 |
| Because money is tight, I want Lakewood police to have the smallest building possible to still function. | 2.0% (1) | 7.8% (4) | 25.5% (13) | 29.4% (15) | 35.3% (18) | 3.88 | 51 |
| Lakewood should build a police station that should have enough room to grow. | 31.4% (16) | 51.0% (26) | 2.0% (1) | 11.8% (6) | 3.9% (2) | 2.06 | 51 |
| Lakewood should build a police station big enough for just the very near future, because money is tight. | 0.0% (0) | 6.1% (3) | 28.6% (14) | 46.9% (23) | 18.4% (9) | 3.78 | 49 |
| Lakewood should have its own firing range for officers to practice, so they do not need to drive to Bremerton. | 7.8% (4) | 29.4% (15) | 31.4% (16) | 13.7% (7) | 17.6% (9) | 3.04 | 51 |
| The city should put additional resources into shutting down, and in some cases tearing down, dangerous and abandoned drug labs or homes. | 43.1% (22) | 51.0% (26) | 5.9% (3) | 0.0% (0) | 0.0% (0) | 1.63 | 51 |
| The city is properly enforcing appropriate speed limits in school zones. | 3.9% (2) | 54.9% (28) | 23.5% (12) | 5.9% (3) | 11.8% (6) | 2.67 | 51 |
| The city should buy more cameras to enforce speed limits in school zones. | 9.8% (5) | 31.4% (16) | 29.4% (15) | 19.6% (10) | 9.8% (5) | 2.88 | 51 |
| The city should buy more cameras to enforce the rule about stopping for a red light. | 15.7% (8) | 31.4% (16) | 21.6% (11) | 23.5% (12) | 7.8% (4) | 2.76 | 51 |
| answered question | 52 | |||||
| skipped question | 2 | |||||
| 2. If you had to choose a neighborhood that should not have community policing, what neighborhood would it be? (as a reminder, these choices are listed in random order for each participant) | |||
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| Oakbrook/North Lakewood |  | 65.7% | 23 |
| Lakes District (Lake City, Lake Louise) | | 5.7% | 2 |
| Pacific Highway/Springbrook (McChord Gate) | | 8.6% | 3 |
| Northeast Lakewood (Sylvan/Southgate/International District) | | 14.3% | 5 |
| Tillicum/American Lake Gardens | | 2.9% | 1 |
| Lakeview | | 2.9% | 1 |
| answered question | 35 | |
| skipped question | 19 | |
| 3. Here's the same question but with different information. Suppose a state grant would pay for community policing in Oakbrook, because the officers will be based at a state institution, Western State Hospital. If the money for Oakbrook is not coming from the city's budget, does that change your reply? Which neighborhood should not have community policing? | |||
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| Oakbrook/North Lakewood | | 54.3% | 19 |
| Lakes District (Lake City, Lake Louise) | | 20.0% | 7 |
| Pacific Highway/Springbrook (McChord Gate) | | 8.6% | 3 |
| Northeast Lakewood (Sylvan/Southgate/International District) | | 11.4% | 4 |
| Tillicum/American Lake Gardens | | 2.9% | 1 |
| Lakeview | | 2.9% | 1 |
| answered question | 35 | |
| skipped question | 19 | |
| 4. What is the one neighborhood where we should definitely have a community policing team? | |||
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| Oakbrook/North Lakewood | | 13.6% | 6 |
| Lakes District (Lake City, Lake Louise) | | 9.1% | 4 |
| Pacific Highway/Springbrook (McChord Gate) | | 38.6% | 17 |
| Northeast Lakewood (Sylvan/Southgate/International District) | | 6.8% | 3 |
| Tillicum/American Lake Gardens | | 27.3% | 12 |
| Lakeview | | 4.6% | 2 |
| answered question | 44 | |
| skipped question | 10 | |
| 5. Other, related questions: | |||||||
| I strongly agree | I agree | Neutral/ don't know enough | I disagree | I strongly disagree | Rating Average | Response Count |
| Each of the six police districts should have a community service officer. | 38.8% (19) | 34.7% (17) | 16.3% (8) | 10.2% (5) | 0.0% (0) | 1.98 | 49 |
| Each of the six police district should have its own neighborhood police officer. | 36.7% (18) | 42.9% (21) | 12.2% (6) | 8.2% (4) | 0.0% (0) | 1.92 | 49 |
| It's fine for a neighborhood police officer to cover two districts, not just one district. | 4.1% (2) | 16.3% (8) | 34.7% (17) | 30.6% (15) | 14.3% (7) | 3.35 | 49 |
| It is a higher priority to have more officers on patrol reacting to crime and other trouble as it happens than have officers working neighborhood crime prevention issues. | 6.1% (3) | 24.5% (12) | 26.5% (13) | 32.7% (16) | 10.2% (5) | 3.16 | 49 |
| Crime prevention can stop a lot of trouble before it starts, and I recommend the city place a high priority on community policing. | 38.8% (19) | 49.0% (24) | 8.2% (4) | 4.1% (2) | 0.0% (0) | 1.78 | 49 |
| answered question | 49 | |||||
| skipped question | 5 | |||||
| 6. | |||
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| Lakewood should pay more than other employers. | | 8.3% | 4 |
| Lakewood should pay about the same as other employers. | | 87.5% | 42 |
| Lakewood should pay less than other employers. | | 4.2% | 2 |
| answered question | 48 | |
| skipped question | 6 | |
| 7. When you compare our city employee salaries to the salaries available elsewhere, should you compare the salaries to: | |||
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| Cities in our area | | 61.2% | 30 |
| All employers in our area | | 38.8% | 19 |
| answered question | 49 | |
| skipped question | 5 | |
| 8. When you compare our employees' benefits packages to the benefits packages available elsewhere, should you compare them to: | |||
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| Cities in our area | | 57.1% | 28 |
| All employers in our area | | 42.9% | 21 |
| answered question | 49 | |
| skipped question | 5 | |
| 9. It has been suggested by at least one council member that Lakewood offer fewer benefits for employees than other cities offer in order to save money. If this happens, it is likely the city employees will form unions in order to try to maintain their benefits. | |||||||
| Very true | I agree | Neutral/ don't know enough | I disagree | I strongly disagree | Rating Average | Response Count |
| I think it would be great if all or most of the city employees belong to a union. | 9.6% (5) | 13.5% (7) | 23.1% (12) | 26.9% (14) | 26.9% (14) | 3.48 | 52 |
| Lakewood should have benefits for city employees that are less than those in other cities. | 0.0% (0) | 0.0% (0) | 11.5% (6) | 57.7% (30) | 30.8% (16) | 4.19 | 52 |
| Lakewood should offer benefits for city employees that are better than those in other cities. | 3.8% (2) | 19.2% (10) | 23.1% (12) | 44.2% (23) | 9.6% (5) | 3.37 | 52 |
| Lakewood city employees currently pay about 6 percent of their health insurance premium; I think they should pay a higher percentage. | 3.8% (2) | 21.2% (11) | 38.5% (20) | 26.9% (14) | 9.6% (5) | 3.17 | 52 |
| answered question | 52 | |||||
| skipped question | 2 | |||||
| 10. Here are some questions related to parks and recreation. Again, some of these questions are intentionally provocative; thanks for sharing your first, honest reaction. | |||||||
| Very true | True | Neutral | I disagree | I very strongly disagree | Rating Average | Response Count |
| Lakewood has a new arts commission; I believe that tax dollars should be used to help support either public art or the promotion of artistic activities. | 12.2% (6) | 30.6% (15) | 24.5% (12) | 24.5% (12) | 8.2% (4) | 2.86 | 49 |
| The city should erect viewing platforms at certain street ends at the lakes so people can get a view. | 4.0% (2) | 18.0% (9) | 34.0% (17) | 28.0% (14) | 16.0% (8) | 3.34 | 50 |
| The city should erect something fancier than just viewing platforms at the lakes, in order to improve waterfront access. | 18.0% (9) | 8.0% (4) | 22.0% (11) | 38.0% (19) | 14.0% (7) | 3.22 | 50 |
| In theory, the city should make our lakes more accessible; however, it would be better for the city to improve parks in poorer parts of town first. | 14.6% (7) | 45.8% (22) | 8.3% (4) | 22.9% (11) | 8.3% (4) | 2.65 | 48 |
| We should not disrupt the people who live around the lakes in order to provide more public access. | 4.0% (2) | 20.0% (10) | 18.0% (9) | 22.0% (11) | 36.0% (18) | 3.66 | 50 |
| Improving the baseball infields at Fort Steilacoom Park should be one of the top five priorities | 6.0% (3) | 8.0% (4) | 58.0% (29) | 18.0% (9) | 10.0% (5) | 3.18 | 50 |
| Repairing and replacing the docks at Harry Todd Park should be one of the top five priorities | 6.1% (3) | 16.3% (8) | 59.2% (29) | 12.2% (6) | 6.1% (3) | 2.96 | 49 |
| Finishing up improvements at American Lake Park Boat Launch should be one of the top five priorities | 10.2% (5) | 24.5% (12) | 40.8% (20) | 16.3% (8) | 8.2% (4) | 2.88 | 49 |
| I think the city should use some funding from the hotel tax to study whether its feasible to operate a Farmer's Market from one of the barns in Fort Steilacoom Park. | 18.4% (9) | 38.8% (19) | 28.6% (14) | 12.2% (6) | 2.0% (1) | 2.41 | 49 |
| I'm wondering if all you guys do is tinker with Fort Steilacoom Park. | 12.2% (6) | 18.4% (9) | 36.7% (18) | 14.3% (7) | 18.4% (9) | 3.08 | 49 |
| The city should help pay to create a public park that would be open during non-school hours at Tyee Park Elementary. | 6.1% (3) | 26.5% (13) | 44.9% (22) | 16.3% (8) | 6.1% (3) | 2.90 | 49 |
| The city should help pay to create a public park that would be open during non-school hours at Idlewild Elementary. | 4.0% (2) | 18.0% (9) | 44.0% (22) | 28.0% (14) | 6.0% (3) | 3.14 | 50 |
| The city should help pay to create a public park that would be open during non-school hours at Southgate Elementary. | 6.1% (3) | 20.4% (10) | 49.0% (24) | 18.4% (9) | 6.1% (3) | 2.98 | 49 |
| The city should operate a senior center. | 22.4% (11) | 42.9% (21) | 16.3% (8) | 10.2% (5) | 8.2% (4) | 2.39 | 49 |
| The city should offer recreation programs for youth. | 32.0% (16) | 42.0% (21) | 12.0% (6) | 8.0% (4) | 6.0% (3) | 2.14 | 50 |
| The city should operate a museum. | 8.2% (4) | 14.3% (7) | 34.7% (17) | 28.6% (14) | 14.3% (7) | 3.27 | 49 |
| SummerFEST, the annual festival, is a worthwhile activity. | 16.3% (8) | 32.7% (16) | 40.8% (20) | 8.2% (4) | 2.0% (1) | 2.47 | 49 |
| answered question | 50 | |||||
| skipped question | 4 | |||||
| 15. These comments represent various issues that have come up or may come up during city budget discussions and various other discussions. Once again, as a reminder, the order in which you are seeing these statements is randomly generated. | |||||||
| Very True | True | Neutral | I disagree | I strongly disagree | Rating Average | Response Count |
| It is an appropriate role for Lakewood City Council members to serve a 'watchdog' role on other entities, such as the Clover Park School District | 12.8% (6) | 23.4% (11) | 29.8% (14) | 23.4% (11) | 10.6% (5) | 2.96 | 47 |
| The Lakewood City Council should appoint a citizens' commission to investigate and report on what the city can do to help the Clover Park School District. | 22.9% (11) | 25.0% (12) | 31.3% (15) | 10.4% (5) | 10.4% (5) | 2.60 | 48 |
| The city's new online complaints and suggestions form that you can access by way of the city web page is a great idea. | 22.9% (11) | 47.9% (23) | 20.8% (10) | 6.3% (3) | 2.1% (1) | 2.17 | 48 |
| The city of Lakewood should have a designated person who receives and monitors complaints and concerns, and helps citizens get their questions answered. | 28.6% (14) | 49.0% (24) | 10.2% (5) | 10.2% (5) | 2.0% (1) | 2.08 | 49 |
| I think it is a good investment that Lakewood sets aside nearly $300,000 or 1 percent of its general fund, to fund human services programs. | 14.3% (7) | 51.0% (25) | 22.4% (11) | 10.2% (5) | 2.0% (1) | 2.35 | 49 |
| What is your reaction to a proposal from the city's all-volunteer transportation committee, which recommends that the council raise taxes, such as the motor vehicle licensing fee, in order to pay for better roads and intersections. | 14.3% (7) | 24.5% (12) | 20.4% (10) | 22.4% (11) | 18.4% (9) | 3.06 | 49 |
| Because the future of Tillicum is so important, I would approve of regulations that impose stricter-than-normal design or quality standards on businesses and buildings on Union Avenue in particular | 25.0% (12) | 29.2% (14) | 27.1% (13) | 16.7% (8) | 2.1% (1) | 2.42 | 48 |
| I wish I knew more about whatever you guys are doing with grant funding at Bridgeport and Pacific Highway | 18.4% (9) | 36.7% (18) | 32.7% (16) | 10.2% (5) | 2.0% (1) | 2.41 | 49 |
| I am confident from what I know now that the new intersection of Bridgeport and Pacific Highway will put us in the same league as other cities with attractive entrances, and help attract business to the community. | 2.1% (1) | 25.0% (12) | 45.8% (22) | 16.7% (8) | 10.4% (5) | 3.08 | 48 |
| answered question | 49 | |||||
| skipped question | 5 | |||||
