Topic: Help me with a Criminal Justice class survey?

[Stratos]

1. Should police let suspects in nonviolent crime cases escape instead of engaging in a high-speed pursuit - (Always, Sometimes, Never)?
 
Sometimes. Depends on the crime. Burglary? Yes. Running a red light? Maybe not.

2. Should police let suspects in violent crime cases escape instead of engaging in a high-speed pursuit - (Always, Sometimes, Never)?
 
Hell no. Never.

3. How much confidence do you, yourself, have in the police - (a great deal, quite a lot, some, very little)?
 
A great deal, at least up here in Anchorage.

4. Do you think the police in your community treat all races fairly, or do they tend to treat one of these ethnic groups unfairly - (treat all unfriendly, treat African-Americans unfairly, treat Hispanics unfairly, treat Asians unfairly)?
 
Treat all fairly up here.

5. Do you think police in your community use too much force - (yes, no)?
 
No, I don't think they use enough.

6. How well are the police in your community doing their job - (excellent, good, fair, poor)?
 
Good.

7. If you are traveling on foot at night in a downtown neighborhood and you see a police officer on patrol do you feel - (safer, no different, unsafe)?
 
Safer.

8. If you are involved in an accident or domestic dispute do you think calling the police will make a positive difference in the resolution - (positive resolution, no resolution, negative resolution, they won't come in a timely fashion or at all)?
 
Positive resolution.

[BlackNMild2k1]

1. Should police let suspects in nonviolent crime cases escape instead of engaging in a high-speed pursuit - (Always, Sometimes, Never)?

If the pursuit begins to cost more than it's worth (i.e. weaving through traffic, pedestrians at danger), then let them go and pursue them by other means (helecopter, satellite)

2. Should police let suspects in violent crime cases escape instead   of engaging in a high-speed pursuit - (Always, Sometimes, Never)?

see reasons above, but these cases should be pursued a little more aggressively early on, until helicopter/satellite coverage can take over. road blocks should be set up ahead of them to guide them to a cutoff point away from pedestrian endangerment.

3. How much confidence do you, yourself, have in the police - (a great deal, quite a lot, some, very little)?

They're never around when you need them and they seem to pick on me when they have nothing better to do. (It was once suggested that my car couldn't be my car because of who I am and I had to show ownership.... all because I was pulling out of a parking spot after picking up friends from the bar)

4. Do you think the police in your community treat all races fairly, or do they tend to treat one of these ethnic groups unfairly - (treat all unfriendly, treat African-Americans unfairly, treat Hispanics unfairly, treat Asians unfairly)?

I can only speak for myself as I've only have all the facts in my own case.

5. Do you think police in your community use too much force - (yes, no)?

never seen a cop use excessive force in person.

6. How well are the police in your community doing their job - (excellent, good, fair, poor)?

N/A. I don't know the success rate of them actually closing cases versus known crimes that have taken place. They did catch the people that broke into my moms house, but I don't know if they caught the killers of the 2+ people that got killed in the last year by my girls place.

7. If you are traveling on foot at night in a downtown neighborhood and you see a police officer on patrol do you feel - (safer, no different, unsafe)?

no comment

8. If you are involved in an accident or domestic dispute do you think calling the police will make a positive difference in the resolution - (positive resolution, no resolution, negative resolution, they won't come in a timely fashion or at all)?

Depends on the dispute.
For an accident, I never have, it just takes too long to sort everything out and I've dealt with ins companies on my own with out police involvement.

For a fight, the police wouldn't get there in time anyway unless it was really really bad.

For some other domestic dispute, all you do is put add an extra level of tenseness around a situation that sometimes isn't necessary.

So it really depends on the situation.

[stevey]

1. Should police let suspects in nonviolent crime cases escape instead of engaging in a high-speed pursuit - (Always)?

2. Should police let suspects in violent crime cases escape instead   of engaging in a high-speed pursuit - (Always)?

3. How much confidence do you, yourself, have in the police - (very little)?

4. Do you think the police in your community treat all races fairly, or do they tend to treat one of these ethnic groups unfairly - (treat all friendly)?

5. Do you think police in your community use too much force - (yes)?

6. How well are the police in your community doing their job - (poor)?

7. If you are traveling on foot at night in a downtown neighborhood and you see a police officer on patrol do you feel - (unsafe)?

8. If you are involved in an accident or domestic dispute do you think calling the police will make a positive difference in the resolution - (negative resolution)?

[UncleBob]

I'm going to suggest these questions be answered via PM to avoid any possible tangent into political territory.  I'm not going to enforce this, I'm just suggesting it for now.

[TJ Spyke]

Male, 23, white

1. Should police let suspects in nonviolent crime cases escape instead of engaging in a high-speed pursuit - (Always, Sometimes, Never)?: Sometimes (depends on what it is. Something like minor drug possession or stealing small priced items, sure. Bank robber? No, go after them.)

2. Should police let suspects in violent crime cases escape instead   of engaging in a high-speed pursuit - (Always, Sometimes, Never)?: Never

3. How much confidence do you, yourself, have in the police - (a great deal, quite a lot, some, very little)?: A Great deal

4. Do you think the police in your community treat all races fairly, or do they tend to treat one of these ethnic groups unfairly - (treat all unfriendly, treat African-Americans unfairly, treat Hispanics unfairly, treat Asians unfairly)? Considering that most people in my city are minority, I think they are treated fairly.

5. Do you think police in your community use too much force - (yes, no)?: No, I actually think they don't use enough.

6. How well are the police in your community doing their job - (excellent, good, fair, poor)?: Good

7. If you are traveling on foot at night in a downtown neighborhood and you see a police officer on patrol do you feel - (safer, no different, unsafe)?: Safer

8. If you are involved in an accident or domestic dispute do you think calling the police will make a positive difference in the resolution - (positive resolution, no resolution, negative resolution, they won't come in a timely fashion or at all)?: Positive

[ShyGuy]

White Male, Age 33

If you want you can just quote this post and bold the answer of choice for each question since it is multiple choice.

Thanks in advance!

1. Should police let suspects in nonviolent crime cases escape instead of engaging in a high-speed pursuit - (Always, Sometimes, Never)?
Sometimes

2. Should police let suspects in violent crime cases escape instead   of engaging in a high-speed pursuit - (Always, Sometimes, Never)?
Never

3. How much confidence do you, yourself, have in the police - (a great deal, quite a lot, some, very little)?
Quite a Lot

4. Do you think the police in your community treat all races fairly, or do they tend to treat one of these ethnic groups unfairly - (treat all unfriendly, treat African-Americans unfairly, treat Hispanics unfairly, treat Asians unfairly)?
Too General

5. Do you think police in your community use too much force - (yes, no)?
Sometimes

6. How well are the police in your community doing their job - (excellent, good, fair, poor)?
Fair

7. If you are traveling on foot at night in a downtown neighborhood and you see a police officer on patrol do you feel - (safer, no different, unsafe)?
No Different

8. If you are involved in an accident or domestic dispute do you think calling the police will make a positive difference in the resolution - (positive resolution, no resolution, negative resolution, they won't come in a timely fashion or at all)?
Positive Resolution

[Stratos]

I'm going to suggest these questions be answered via PM to avoid any possible tangent into political territory.  I'm not going to enforce this, I'm just suggesting it for now.

I could just ask we don't talk about the answers in depth if you'd like. So long as people just answer the survey and we don't start arguing about those thoughts we shouldn't get into an argument about it, right?

I would be cool with talking about it but I realize we could get into dangerous territory pretty fast.

Thanks a lot for all of you who have already answered it.

[UncleBob]

I'm going to suggest these questions be answered via PM to avoid any possible tangent into political territory.  I'm not going to enforce this, I'm just suggesting it for now.

I could just ask we don't talk about the answers in depth if you'd like. So long as people just answer the survey and we don't start arguing about those thoughts we shouldn't get into an argument about it, right?

You'd think that.
I'm not one to actively moderate for content - so if someone's offended, they can mark this thread and I, or another mod, can revisit.  I just didn't want to risk your ability to get survey results and thus suggested the answers be sent via PM so there was no chance of that happening.  That's all.

[Mop it up]

I don't have much experience with police. Very little, actually. I also don't watch the news, so I don't really know much about the police situation in this area. So, keep that in mind for my answers.

Female, 23

1. Should police let suspects in nonviolent crime cases escape instead of engaging in a high-speed pursuit - (Always, Sometimes, Never)?
Sometimes. Really depends on what we're talking about here. Nonviolent crimes can still be severe.

2. Should police let suspects in violent crime cases escape instead   of engaging in a high-speed pursuit - (Always, Sometimes, Never)?
Sometimes. Once again it's situational.

3. How much confidence do you, yourself, have in the police - (a great deal, quite a lot, some, very little)?
Quite a lot. Seems like they get the job done in most cases, though anything can always be improved.

4. Do you think the police in your community treat all races fairly, or do they tend to treat one of these ethnic groups unfairly - (treat all unfriendly, treat African-Americans unfairly, treat Hispanics unfairly, treat Asians unfairly)?
I'm going to assume that either the first answer was supposed to be "treat all friendly," or that there was supposed to be such an answer. I have heard of unfair treatment from police, but I can't say I've heard of one ethnicity experiencing more than another.

5. Do you think police in your community use too much force - (yes, no)?
No, not that I've heard.

6. How well are the police in your community doing their job - (excellent, good, fair, poor)?
Good. Crime is down this year, could be better though.

7. If you are traveling on foot at night in a downtown neighborhood and you see a police officer on patrol do you feel - (safer, no different, unsafe)?
Safer. I'd probably ask for an escort. My taser can only protect me from so much.

8. If you are involved in an accident or domestic dispute do you think calling the police will make a positive difference in the resolution - (positive resolution, no resolution, negative resolution, they won't come in a timely fashion or at all)?
Positive. Car accidents should always be reported for insurance purposes.

[GoldenPhoenix]

26/f

1. Should police let suspects in nonviolent crime cases escape instead of engaging in a high-speed pursuit - (Always, Sometimes, Never)?
Sometimes

2. Should police let suspects in violent crime cases escape instead   of engaging in a high-speed pursuit - (Always, Sometimes, Never)?
Never

3. How much confidence do you, yourself, have in the police - (a great deal, quite a lot, some, very little)?
some

4. Do you think the police in your community treat all races fairly, or do they tend to treat one of these ethnic groups unfairly - (treat all unfriendly, treat African-Americans unfairly, treat Hispanics unfairly, treat Asians unfairly)?
treat all unfriendly

5. Do you think police in your community use too much force - (yes, no)?
no

6. How well are the police in your community doing their job - (excellent, good, fair, poor)?
fair

7. If you are traveling on foot at night in a downtown neighborhood and you see a police officer on patrol do you feel - (safer, no different, unsafe)?
safer

8. If you are involved in an accident or domestic dispute do you think calling the police will make a positive difference in the resolution - (positive resolution, no resolution, negative resolution, they won't come in a timely fashion or at all)?

no resolution

[TJ Spyke]

I'd love to have a taser, but they are illegal in New York (along with 6 other states, DC, and a few cities like Philadelphia).

[BeautifulShy]

I guess I should point out that Halbred edited your first post with his answers Stratos. Halbred make a new post with your answers.

[Mop it up]

I'd love to have a taser, but they are illegal in New York (along with 6 other states, DC, and a few cities like Philadelphia).

I wasn't aware of that. I should probably find out which ones, I wouldn't want to take it with me if I went there.

[Stratos]

Thanks for pointing that out, Maxi. I would have missed adding him to the totals.

[TJ Spyke]

I'd love to have a taser, but they are illegal in New York (along with 6 other states, DC, and a few cities like Philadelphia).

I wasn't aware of that. I should probably find out which ones, I wouldn't want to take it with me if I went there.

Here is a good site with the info: http://www.worthprotectionsecurity.com/c2_taser.htm

States where they are illegal: Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan (legal for law enforcement) New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Wisconsin

States where they are legal with firearms registration:  Illinois + the District of Columbia

States where they are legal only in your home: Connecticut, Illinois

All other states allow you to carry them around with no restriction (although some specific cities and counties have banned them).

[BlackNMild2k1]

California: Where everything is legal..... to some degree.