The City of Bend Police Department is pleased to share the results of its biannual online community survey, conducted in October and November 2024.
The Department, with its partners at Portland State University, sent out invitations to 20,000 households in the city, inviting them to fill out the survey, which was available in both English and Spanish. The survey sought to gauge our community’s feeling of safety in Bend, and to learn more about community members’ experience with police officers and their safety priorities for the Department.
Of the 20,000 households, approximately 10 percent took the time to fill out the survey.
78 percent of respondents reported they trust Bend Police, and 76 percent agreed they have confidence in the Bend Police Department. 73 percent said Bend Police can be trusted to make decisions that are right for the community. This is consistent with past community surveys.
More than four in five respondents said their trust in Bend Police was unchanged, though more people said their trust had increased than decreased.
Of those surveyed, 97 percent said they would call Bend Police to report a crime as either a bystander or a victim. And 93 percent said they’d work with the police to address public safety concerns in their neighborhood.
Nearly all of the survey respondents (96 percent) feel safe in their neighborhood during the day, and 77 percent feel safe in their neighborhood at night. A similar percentage feel safe walking in a city park or downtown Bend during the day, although those numbers do dip at night.
Notably, 22 percent of respondents say they feel less safe than they did 12 months ago. Of the public safety problems facing Bend, 89 percent of respondents cited drug offenses, while 79 percent identified alcohol offenses. Others that topped the list were theft, Internet Crimes Against Children, fraud and property damage.
One thing that has remained consistent over time is the public’s concern about traffic safety, especially distracted driving and DUII.
Bend Police appreciate the community members who took the time to fill out the survey. The data help to inform policy and to create the Police Department’s goals for the coming biennium. The survey results also help our team make decisions about what community safety initiatives to prioritize.
To access the complete report and past survey reports, go to https://www.bendoregon.gov/
