City Services Satisfaction Survey 2013 City Services Satisfaction Survey | Page 6

Consistently, most Arlington residents feel the city is generally headed in the
right direction, and most would recommend Arlington to others.
About seven out of ten of Arlington residents agree the city is headed in the right
direction (72%), and say they would recommend Arlington to others (78%).
Neighborhoods
Residents continue to rate their neighborhoods moderately high in terms of
quality of life, and residents’ perceptions of neighborhood problems generally
appear to be consistent with last year’s, with only a few being perceived major.
About three-quarters of Arlington residents rate their neighborhoods moderately high
in terms of quality of life, and ratings appear to be similar to the last year’s level
(73% “excellent” or “good” vs. 68% in 2011).
Among neighborhood problems, speeding in neighborhoods and residential and car
burglaries continue to be among the top concerns for residents, with 30% or more
reporting each to be at least somewhat of a problem.
Although it’s perceived to be the least problematic, graffiti has declined significantly
as a neighborhood problem from 10% in 2011 to 6% in 2012.
Overall sense of safety in neighborhoods and in Arlington continues to be stable
in general, and it shows significant improvement in business areas, compared to
last year.
Neighborhoods and business areas in Arlington continue to be rated very safe for
walking alone during the day (92% “very/somewhat safe” for both neighborhoods
and business areas).
Not surprisingly, safety ratings at night are much lower for both neighborhoods and
business areas in Arlington (for neighborhoods 65% “very/somewhat safe”; for
business areas 53%). However, it is notable that sense of safety in business areas
(both during the day and night) has significantly improved, compared to last year.
The vast majority of residents (86%) report that neither they, nor anyone in their
household, were the victim of any crime in the past 12 months, and the incidence
rate appears to be similar to last year.
Decision Analyst, Inc.
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