1. FISHTOWN CRIME AND SAFETY
SURVEY 2016
Almost 40%
are 18-34
388
total respondents,
online and on paper
70% are
homeowners
33%
30%
47%
Includes both older
and newer
residents
<5 5-10 11+
years in Fishtown
2/3 are women
Many respondents mentioned dangerous and illegal driving behaviors as
major safety concerns even though this was not asked in the survey
RESIDENTS EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT ROAD SAFETY
WHO
COMPLETED THE
SURVEY?
“I also feel unsafe as a pedestrian on Girard with cars going so fast.
Why are there no speed limit signs?”
“The frequency of people running stop signs and red lights is unbelievable.
I've almost been hit while carrying my infant daughter over 20 times. There
needs to be more patrolling by police for these traffic crimes.”
“One of the things that
makes me feel most
unsafe about living in
Fishtown is the
disrespectful and illegal
driving -- people flying
through stop signs and
traffic lights, not paying
attention to pedestrians,
etc. This survey does
not address these safety
concerns.”
“Illegal parking on Girard is causing many safety concerns for both
drivers turning onto Girard (andnot able to see oncoming traffic) as well
as pedestrians crossing the street.”
HOW SAFE DO RESIDENTS FEEL?
Overall, 54% of respondents
feel somewhat safe or very
safe, but 50% believe crime in
Fishtown is increasing
However, residents who have lived in Fishtown the longest (11+ years)
tend to feel less safe and over two-thirds believe crime is increasing.
WHERE AND WHEN DO RESIDENTS FEEL UNSAFE?
Residents generally feel safe
in Fishtown, but perceive
crime to be on the rise 50%
17%
33%
Perception that crime in Fishtown is…
Increasing
Decreasing
Staying the same
People generally feel safe in the
morning and afternoon and unsafe
at night. Over 45% of
respondents feel somewhat
unsafeor very unsafein the
evening (6pm-midnight). That
figure rises to 68% for the late
night (midnight-6am).
The word cloud suggests
residents feel most unsafe on
Front Street at El stops and
along major arteries like
Frankford and Girard.
One place where you feel most unsafe
(size is related to frequency)

2. 6%
8%
21%
32%
41%
42%
63%
72%
More opportunities to talk to police
Better access to crime statistics
Having a neighborhood watch
Faster response to 911 calls
More cameras in public places
Less signs of disorder
Better lighting in public places
More police presence
FISHTOWN CRIME AND SAFETY
SURVEY 2016
CRIME AND CRIME REPORTING IN
THE PAST 12 MONTHS
43 44
30
16
3
53
55
75
Quality
of
life
crime
Automobile
crime
Property
crime
Violent
crime
% identify
as victim
% reported
crime to police
Many experience quality of life and
automobile crimes, yet about half do not
report these crimes.
WHAT PREVENTS CRIME
REPORTING?
“The police donot always patrol downFletcher Street
[…] when we call. Or if they dotheydo not ask all the
teens and youngadults to disperse fromout front of
the abandonedhouse on23XXE Fletcher. They just
drive by.”
“Flower pots were stolenfrommy house. I don't
consider that somethingworthcalling 911for,andI
don't believe it rises to the level of needingto createa
police report to establisha pattern.”
“Police don't respond quicklyand I don't have timeto
sit aroundfor 3 hours waitingfor a copto show up”
“Didn't believethe police wouldhavebeen ableto do
anything,or doneany investigation/prevention.”
Incident deemed too minor
Police response too slow
Police are not effective
WHAT WOULD MAKE PEOPLE FEEL SAFER?
Residents believe more police presence, lighting, and beautification efforts can improve
safety in Fishtown.
“I think lights and signs of disorder go
hand in hand. Beautification goes a long
way for improving quality of life.”
“Disorder: trash and litter and loitering only
compounds a problem of cleanliness and
safety. Being this unkempt and unregulated
invites more of the same.”
“[I’ve] had encounters with teens onbikes harassing
and robbing us.The teens onbikes are veryquick and
mobile andcan easily evade markedcars andthepolice
don't seem to be ableto catchor keepupwith them as
they move quickly aroundtheneighborhood.”
Unruly teens committing crimes and evading
police contribute to an unsafe environment
“I GENERALLY FEEL SAFE BUT I AM TERRIFIED OF TEENAGERS”
“Intimidation andharassment by the large groups ofteens
and youngadults that form specifically in front of the
abandoned house at 23XXFletcher St.”
“I would love to see more police, both
uniformed and undercover on bikes/
on foot patrolling the neighborhood.”