Chicagoans Support A Multifaceted Approach to Public Safety

Both residents and local officials in Chicago acknowledge that public safety is a significant issue for the city – one that is, unfortunately, difficult to address. Many Chicagoans note that taking a multifaceted approach, including investments in both police and social service initiatives, could be an important step.

A recent survey of Chicago residents conducted by The Harris Poll reveals:

● Nine in ten (87%) City of Chicago residents support the reopening of closed city-run mental health centers.
● Three quarters (73%) of City of Chicago residents support recruiting and training 200 detectives from within the Chicago Police Department to improve the city’s homicide clearance (solve) rate.
● Two thirds (66%) of city of Chicago residents support sending non-police responders (e.g., medics, social workers) to emergency calls related to mental health.

These surveys were conducted online in the United States by The Harris Poll from April 28, 2023 to May 2nd, 2023 among 591 Cook County, IL residents ages 18+, from May 13, 2023 to May 21, 2023 among 1,000 Cook County, IL residents ages 18+, and from September 13, 2023 to September 20, 2023 among 1,000 Cook County, IL residents, ages 18+. Figures were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions within the Cook County population. Respondents for this survey were selected from a pool of potential respondents who have agreed to participate in The Harris Poll’s online research.