The Billerica Police Department conducted a random citizen survey available to the residents of Billerica from April 12, 2022 to April 24, 2022. The survey was advertised in the local media and published here on the Department’s Website. The survey consisted of numerous questions designed by the US Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services Office (COPS) to measure certain aspects of the department’s effectiveness. The department would like to thank the residents who took the time to complete the survey. The results of the survey are as follows:
Number of submissions – 342
Community
To what extent does the Billerica Police Department develop relationships with community members (e.g., residents, organizations, and groups)?
To what extent does the Billerica Police Department regularly communicate with community members (e.g., websites, social media, e-mails, or public meetings)?
To what extent does the Billerica Police Department make it easy for community members to provide input (e.g., comments, suggestions, and concerns)?
To what extent does the Billerica Police Department work together with community members to solve local problems?
Community policing involves officers in the Billerica Police Department working with the community to address the causes of crime in an effort to reduce the problems themselves through a wide range of activities. Based on this definition, to what extent do you think your law enforcement agency practices community policing?
Safety
In your opinion, compared to other communities in the greater area, how safe is Billerica overall?
What do you believe about the prevalence of crime in Billerica over the last five years?
Have you ever been the victim of a crime in Billerica?
Have you ever been the victim of a crime outside of Billerica?
To what extent do you feel safe when you are outside alone during the day?
To what extent do you feel safe when you are outside alone at night?
Over the last 12 months, to what extent have your feelings of safety in your community increased, decreased, or stayed the same?
Does your neighborhood have a citizen crime watch group?
Would you participate in a crime watch group?
Please select the five (5) issues you think are the greatest problems within our community.
| Issues | Submissions |
| Traffic issues / residential speeding | 201 |
| Burglaries/thefts (auto) | 171 |
| Drug abuse (e.g., manufacture, sale, or use of illegal/prescription drugs) | 152 |
| Burglaries/thefts (residential) | 144 |
| Disorderly youth (e.g., cruising or gathering) | 130 |
| Driving under the influence (i.e., alcohol or drugs | 123 |
| Noise violations | 92 |
| Fraud / identity theft | 74 |
| Vandalism | 74 |
| Pedestrian safety | 65 |
| Solicitors | 65 |
| Domestic Violence | 56 |
| Credit Card / Check Fraud | 49 |
| Parking issues (including winter parking ban) | 29 |
| Disorderly conduct / public intoxication | 26 |
| Domestic violence (adult) | 26 |
| Burglaries/thefts (commercial) | 18 |
| Public marijuana use | 15 |
| Assaults | 14 |
| Hate crimes | 14 |
| Unlawful weapons use | 7 |
| Gun violence | 5 |
Procedural Justice
To what extent do officers in the Billerica Police Department treat people fairly?
To what extent do officers in the Billerica Police Department show concern for community members?
To what extent are officers in the Billerica Police Department respectful?
To what extent do you trust the Billerica Police Department?
If you had contact with an officer in the Billerica Police Department during the past 12 months, to what extent did the officer sufficiently explain his or her actions and procedures?
Performance
To what extent is the Billerica Police Department effective at proactively preventing crime?
To what extent is the Billerica Police Department addressing the problems that really concern you?
To what extent are you satisfied with the overall performance of the Billerica Police Department?
Contact and Satisfaction
How many times in the past 12 months have you had contact with the Billerica Police Department for traffic issues (e.g. citation, warning, or vehicle crash)?
To what extent are you satisfied with your interaction(s) with the Billerica Police Department for traffic issues?
How many times in the past 12 months have you had contact with the Billerica Police Department for 911 emergency calls?
To what extent are you satisfied with your interaction(s) with the Billerica Police Department for 911 emergency calls?
How many times in the past 12 months have you had contact with the Billerica Police Department for non-emergency calls (e.g., to report a crime or suspicious activity)?
To what extent are you satisfied with your interaction(s) with the Billerica Police Department for non-emergency calls?
How many times in the past 12 months have you had contact with the Billerica Police Department for other contacts or interactions (e.g., attend a community meeting or talk to an officer on patrol)?
To what extent are you satisfied with your interaction(s) with the Billerica Police Department for other contacts or interactions?
How important are these programs to the community? (10 being very important and 1 being not important at all)
| Program | Average Response |
| Behavioral health assistance mental health collaborative (provides direct connection to behavioral health and substance use services) | 8.7 |
| Elder affairs (working with Council on Aging to address issues of elder neglect and abuse) | 8.6 |
| Domestic violence advocates | 8.5 |
| School resource officers (specially trained officers working in the public schools) | 8.37 |
| Juvenile diversion program for first time offenders (keeping first time offenders out of the court system) | 8.34 |
| Body worn cameras and in-car video recording | 7.78 |
| Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) | 7.58 |
| Police Bicycle Patrol | 7.24 |
| Citizen police academy (a program designed to acquaint community residents who are not sworn police officers with the activities of their local police department) | 6.29 |
Demographics (Optional)
How many years have you lived in your community?
What is your age group?
