Cotati Resident Views of
Public Safety and Policing
Key Findings of a Survey of Cotati Residents
Conducted November 10-December 4, 2023
320-1123
2 Dates November 10-December 4, 2023
Survey Type Multi-modal Resident Survey
Research Population A Random, Representative Sample of Cotati Residents 18+ Total Interviews 441
Margin of Sampling Error ±4.9% at the 95% Confidence Level Contact Methods
Data Collection Modes
Survey Tracking Comparisons to 2009, 2013, 2019 and 2020 Surveys Languages English and Spanish
(Note: Not All Results Will Sum to 100% Due to Rounding) Telephone
Interviews
Online
Interviews
Survey Specifics and Methodology
Postcard
Invitations
Telephone
Calls
Email
Invitations
Text
Invitations
3 Survey demographics reflect the community.
Demographic %
Male 45%
Female 51%
Nonbinary/Other 4%
Ages 18-49 61%
Ages 50+ 38%
White Residents 67%
Residents of Color 28%
Non-college Educated 64%
College-Educated 35%
Demographic %
Born in the US 92%
Born Outside the US 8%
Speak Another Language
at Home 25%
Speak Only English at
Home 72%
Spanish Interview 8%
English Interview 92%
4 A Note on Demographic Subgroup Analysis
4 • Given the small size of Cotati, we are
somewhat limited in the conclusions we can
draw by specific subgroups.
• The pattern across similar questions is more
informative than individual percentages.
• Combining a group of “residents of color” is
not intended to represent the views of
residents who identify as Latino, African
American, Asian/Pacific Islander, multiracial
and Native American as monolithic, but
instead to demonstrate areas of key difference
within the limits of the survey.
Subgroup N size MOE
White
residents 295 +5.8%
Residents
of color 122 +9.1%
• Another note: There are many open-ended questions in the survey. Responses were recorded verbatim and sorted into general categories. In many cases, respondents offered more than one type of response.
• Not all results will sum to 100% due to rounding.
5 Community Context
6 Two-thirds of Cotati residents feel things
are headed in the right direction.
Q1.
2009 2013 2019 2020 2023
71%
60%
69% 71%
65%
12%
26%
9%
13%
17% 19%
14%
24%
17%
17%
Right Direction Wrong Track Don't Know
Would you say that things in the City of Cotati are generally headed in the right direction or are they off on the wrong track? 7 As in 2020, more than four in five believe that the
city is an “excellent” or “good” place to live.
Q2.
33%
53%
14%
1%
Excellent
Good
Just average
Poor
2020 2023
Excellent/
Good
86%
33%
53%
12%
2%
Excellent/
Good
86%
Generally speaking, how would you rate the City of Cotati as a place to live: is it an excellent place to live, a good place to live, just average, poor, or an extremely poor place to live? 8 Residents broadly approve of the job
the City’s staff and Council are doing.
Q3.
The Cotati Police Department
The Cotati Public Works Department
The Cotati Recreation Department
Cotati City government, overall
The Cotati City Council
The Cotati Planning and
Building Department
41%
38%
35%
19%
18%
17%
39%
39%
43%
55%
43%
43%
8%
11%
16%
13%
19%
21%
9%
9%
5%
10%
17%
11% 8%
Strng. App. Smwt. App. Don't Know Smwt. Disapp. Strng. Disapp. Total App.
Total
Disapp.
80% 12%
77% 12%
77% 7%
74% 13%
61% 20%
60% 19%
I am going to read you the names of a few organizations active in public life.
Please tell me if you approve or disapprove of the job being done by that organization. 9 Approval of the recreation department is slightly
higher than in 2020; for Council, it’s slightly lower.
Q3. I am going to read you the names of a few organizations active in public life. Please tell me if you approve or disapprove of the job being done by that organization.
Department
(Total Approve) 2009 2013 2019 2020 2023 Difference(2020-2023) The Cotati Recreation Department -- -- 71% 70% 77% +7%
The Cotati Police Department 85% 81% 82% 75% 80% +5%
The Cotati Public Works Department -- -- 72% 74% 77% +3% The Cotati Planning and
Building Department -- -- 49% 57% 60% +3%
Cotati City government, overall 81% 65% 67% 72% 74% +2% The Cotati City Council 83% 55% 61% 69% 61% -8%
The decline in City Council’s rating from 2020 comes largely from an uptick in those who “somewhat disapprove.”
10 41%
41%
8%
6%
4%
48%
38%
9%
2%
3%
Q26.
Strongly approve
Somewhat approve
Somewhat disapprove
Strongly disapprove
Don’t know
2020 2023
Total
Disapprove
14%
Total
Disapprove
11%
Total
Approve
82%
Total
Approve
86%
Generally speaking, Cotati residents largely
approve of police officers, as they did in 2020.
In general, do you approve or disapprove of police officers? 11 Residents’ most broadly shared problem is the
availability of housing working families can afford; no other issues meet that high level of concern.
Q4. I’d like to read you some problems facing the City of Cotatithat other people have mentioned. Please tell me whether you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, or a not too serious problem in Cotati.
The availability of housing that working
families can afford
The impacts of climate change
Traffic congestion on
local streets and roads
The condition of the local economy
The risk of wildfire
46%
17%
17%
12%
12%
26%
26%
21%
24%
24%
16%
24%
34%
31%
31%
9%
25%
28%
23%
30%
8%
10%
Ext. Ser. Prob. Very Ser. Prob. Smwt. Ser. Prob. Not Too Ser. Prob. Don't Know Ext./Very Ser. Prob.
72%
44%
38%
36%
35%
12 Relatively few are intensely concerned about
police issues, discrimination, or parks.
Q4. I’d like to read you some problems facing the City of Cotatithat other people have mentioned. Please tell me whether you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, or a not too serious problem in Cotati.
Potholes and maintenance of
local streets and roads
Crime, in general
The number of police
on duty in Cotati
Racial discrimination and
prejudice in Cotati
The condition of City parks
Police use of force in Cotati
11%
11%
7%
6%
7%
7%
21%
14%
14%
14%
13%
10%
30%
37%
20%
17%
16%
14%
35%
31%
40%
44%
61%
45%
6%
19%
19%
24%
Ext. Ser. Prob. Very Ser. Prob. Smwt. Ser. Prob. Not Too Ser. Prob. Don't Know Ext./Very Ser. Prob.
33%
25%
21%
20%
19%
17%
13 Concern about housing costs, traffic and crime
have increased notably since 2020.
Q4. I’d like to read you some problems facing the City of Cotatithat other people have mentioned. Please tell me whether you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, or a not too serious problem in Cotati.
Problem
(Extremely/Very Serious Problem) 2009 2013 2019 2020 2023 Difference(2020-2023) The availability of housing that
working families can afford -- -- 55% 52% 72% +20%
Traffic congestion on local streets and roads 25% 20% 26% 22% 38% +16% Crime, in general 14% 10% 5% 15% 25% +10%
Potholes and maintenance of local streets and roads -- 36% 26% 27% 33% +6% The number of police on duty in Cotati -- 31% 15% 16% 21% +5% Police use of force in Cotati -- -- -- 21% 17% -4%
The condition of the local economy 45% 35% 22% 41% 36% -5% Racial discrimination and prejudice in Cotati -- -- -- 25% 20% -5% The risk of wildfire -- -- -- 43% 35% -8%
The impacts of climate change -- -- -- 53% 44% -9%
14 For residents of color, every concern is more
broadly shared than it is among white voters.
Q4. I’d like to read you some problems facing the City of Cotati that other people have mentioned. Please tell me whether you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, or a not too serious problem in Cotati.
Problem
(Extremely/Very Serious Problem)
All
Res.
Race/Ethnicity
White Diff.
Residents
Residents
of Color
The availability of housing
that working families can afford 72% 69% 83% +14
The impacts of climate change 44% 42% 50% +8
Traffic congestion on local streets and roads 38% 34% 47% +13 The condition of the local economy 36% 29% 52% +23
The risk of wildfire 35% 34% 43% +9
Potholes and maintenance of local streets and
roads 33% 28% 47% +19
Crime, in general 25% 20% 39% +19
The number of police on duty in Cotati 21% 14% 37% +23
Racial discrimination and prejudice in Cotati 20% 11% 45% +34 The condition of City parks 19% 14% 36% +22
Police use of force in Cotati 17% 13% 29% +16
Differences Outside Subsample Margin of Error Highlighted 15 Q21.
Prefer in person
Prefer online via Zoom
No preference
No interest in attending
Don’t know
28%
22%
32%
13%
5%
If you have attended or were to attend a City of Cotati public meeting, do you prefer to participate in-person or online via Zoom? Residents are split on whether they prefer Zoom over
in-person, with many saying they have no preference.
16 Experiences of Racism in Cotati
17 About one-quarter say they have personally
experienced racism in Cotati.
Q5.
1%
6%
12%
79%
2%
Ever
19%
Frequently
Occasionally
Sometimes
Never
Don’t know
Ever
23%
Within the last five years, have you personally experienced racism in Cotati frequently, occasionally, sometimes, or never?
2020 2023
1%
10%
12%
71%
6%
This difference from
2020 is within the
margin of error.
18 3%
12%
22%
58%
4%
About two in five have observed
racism in Cotati.
Q6.
4%
14%
25%
55%
3%
Frequently
Occasionally
Sometimes
Never
Don’t know
Ever
37%
Ever
43%
Within the last five years, have you observed racism in Cotati frequently, occasionally, sometimes, or never?
2020 2023
This is down a few
points from 2020.
19 6%
5%
12%
10%
19%
15%
7%
8%
15%
10%
22%
20%
30%
26%
20%
13%
23%
23%
37%
31%
55%
45%
28%
22%
42%
35%
Frequently Occasionally Sometimes
10%
6%
21%
14%
6%
15%
7%
12%
8%
23%
13%
13%
9%
12%
13%
23%
16%
46%
29%
19%
12%
29%
20%
Frequently Occasionally Sometimes
Residents of color are much more likely
to have experienced and observed racism.
Q5. Within the last 5 years, have you personally experienced racism in Cotati frequently, occasionally, sometimes, or never? Q6. Within the last 5 years, have you observed racism in Cotati frequently, occasionally, sometimes, or never?.
All Residents
White Residents
Residents of Color
Ages 18-49
Ages 50-64
Ages 65+
<$100,000
$100,000+ HH Income
Personally Experienced Observed
20 Yes
4%
No
90%
Don’t
Know
6%
As in 2020, very few have experienced or
observed racism involving a City employee.
Q9.
Yes
8%
No
89%
Don’t
Know
3%
2020 2023
Have you experienced or observed racism involving a City of Cotati service or employee? 21 Experiences with Policing
22 Two-thirds have interacted with a Cotati Police
officer or have a household member who has.
Q16.
Interacted with a Cotati Police officer for any
reason
Reported a crime to Cotati Police
Been stopped by Cotati Police
Felt uncomfortable calling
the Cotati Police
Filed a complaint about a
Cotati police officer
Been arrested by Cotati Police
39%
28%
16%
8%
9%
6%
7%
16%
5%
5%
32%
57%
71%
81%
88%
90%
Self Household Member Both Neither Don't Know Total
Experienced
65%
39%
26%
16%
8%
8%
Keeping in mind that this survey is completely confidential, I’d like to know more about your experiences with public safety in Cotati. I am going to read a list of experiences people may have had. Please tell me whether you personally, or someone in your household, has had that experience in Cotati in the last five years. 23 A slightly higher share have reported
a crime to Cotati Police than in 2020.
Q16. I’d like to know more about your experiences with public safety in Cotati. I am going to read a list of experiences people may have had.
Please tell me whether you personally, or someone in your household, has had that experience in Cotati in the last five years.
Experience
(Total Experienced) 2020 2023 Difference(2020-2023)
Reported a crime to Cotati Police 31% 39% +8%
Felt uncomfortable calling the Cotati Police 10% 16% +6% Filed a complaint about a Cotati police officer 2% 8% +6% Been arrested by Cotati Police 4% 8% +4%
Interacted with a Cotati Police officer for any reason 62% 65% +3% Been stopped by Cotati Police 31% 26% -5%
24 Differences by race are
not statistically significant.
Q16. I’d like to know more about your experiences with public safety in Cotati. I am going to read a list of experiences people may have had.
Please tell me whether you personally, or someone in your household, has had that experience in Cotati in the last five years.
Experience
(Total Experienced)
All
Res.
Race/Ethnicity
White
Residents
Residents
of Color
Interacted with a Cotati Police officer for any reason 65% 68% 58% Reported a crime to Cotati Police 39% 43% 28%
Been stopped by Cotati Police 26% 27% 24%
Felt uncomfortable calling the Cotati Police 16% 15% 19% Filed a complaint about a Cotati police officer 8% 8% 10% Been arrested by Cotati Police 8% 6% 12%
Differences Outside Subsample Margin of Error Highlighted 25 Q17.
50%
33%
7%
6%
4%
47%
31%
10%
7%
5%
Very satisfied
Somewhat satisfied
Somewhat dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
Don't know
2020 2023
Total
Dissatisfied
17%
Total
Satisfied
78%
Total
Dissatisfied
13%
Total
Satisfied
83%
Four in five are satisfied with Cotati Police
interactions, with half “very satisfied.”
In general, were you or the household member satisfied or dissatisfied with that interaction with the Cotati Police officer?
(Asked of Those with an Experience with Cotati Police Only, n=287) 26 Q18a.
Those who were satisfied reported that police
were polite and responsive.
Caring/polite/respectful/courteous
Quick response/responsive/I was heard
General positive/good/did their job
Resolved issue/positive outcome
Professional/thorough
Officer involved
Helpful
Other
None/Nothing
Don't know/Unsure
Refused/No Comment
35%
27%
15%
14%
14%
13%
9%
3%
1%
8%
2%
In a few words of your own, why were you SATISFIEDwith that interaction? Open-ended; Asked of Satisfied Residents Only, n=237
Multiple Responses Accepted
I was treated with
respect when I reported
a theft of property.
A person
collapsed on the
sidewalk and the
police officer got
him help.
Vacation watch is
a wonderful
service.
27 In a few words of your own, why were you DISSATISFIED with that interaction? Those dissatisfied with their interaction
feel they were intimidated or bullied.
Q18b.
I was intimidated/bullied
Racial bias
Delays/slow response
No report/ no follow-up/wasn't helped
General dissatisfied
Dishonest
LGBTQ/gender bias
Other
None/Nothing
Don't know/Unsure
Refused/No Comment
8 6
5 4
3 2
2 2
2 3
1 Open-ended; Asked of Dissatisfied Residents Only, n=37 Multiple Responses Accepted; n size, Not Percentage Shown I was racially profiled
by an officer while
hanging out outside.
Power trip
instead of
compassion
and kindness.
28 Those who felt uncomfortable calling the police
felt that police would be unresponsive.
Q19.
What made you or your household member uncomfortable calling the police? Open-ended; Asked of Residents Uncomfortable Calling the Cotati Police, n=69 Multiple Responses Accepted
Discriminatory
behavior of chief
and his officers.
[I thought] I wouldn’t get
equal service once they
knew my name.
I do not believe that police are
even equipped to be of help,
they only ever escalate
situations.
Unresponsive/Ineffective
Uncomfortable/Prefer not to interact
Neighborhood/Community issues
Racism/Inequality
Dispatch unresponsive
Other
None/Nothing
Don't know/Unsure
Refused/No Comment
20%
14%
11%
6%
6%
10%
8%
32%
5%
29 Better/faster response
Kind/patient dispatchers
Officers more friendly/kind/patient/respectful
Police reform/training/accountability
Hire more police
Other
Refused/No Comment
46%
18%
8%
6%
5%
5%
2%
6%
7%
Most say they feel comfortable
calling the police.
Q20.
Make sure they are nice
when people call.
Qualified , professional
& common-sense
policing!
Zero tolerance
for bad cops.
In a few words of your own, what can the City do to make you feel more comfortable calling the police when needed?
Open-ended; Multiple Responses Accepted
Comfortable calling/not uncomfortable calling/
no issues calling
Meet and greets/continue coffee with community/
Community interaction
30 Views of Public Safety
and Policing
31 Walking in your neighborhood
In general
Walking or playing in the park closest to
your residence
Driving on Cotati streets
Interacting with Cotati Police
53%
42%
47%
38%
50%
37%
45%
39%
41%
27%
11%
11%
12%
18%
5%
7%
Very Safe Smwt. Safe Neither/Don't Know/No Opinion Smwt. Unsafe Very Unsafe Q7. How safe do you feel in Cotati _____? Do you feel safe, unsafe, or neither safe nor unsafe? Total
Safe
Total
Unsafe
90% 6%
87% 2%
86% 3%
79% 9%
77% 5%
About nine in ten residents say
they feel safe in Cotati in general.
32 Perceptions of driver safety
have declined slightly.
Q7. How safe do you feel in Cotati _____? Do you feel safe, unsafe, or neither safe nor unsafe? Activity in Cotati
(Total Safe) 2020 2023 Difference(2020-2023)
Interacting with Cotati Police 72% 77% +5%
Walking in your neighborhood 86% 90% +4%
In general 86% 87% +1%
Walking or playing in the park closest to your residence 85% 86% +1% Driving on Cotati streets 87% 79% -8%
33 Very broad shares feel safe in general, as well as
specifically interacting with Cotati Police.
Q7a & b. How safe do you feel in Cotati _____? Do you feel safe, unsafe, or neither safe nor unsafe? White Residents
Residents of Color
18-49
50-64
65+
White Residents
Residents of Color
18-49
50-64
65+
87%
86%
85%
88%
91%
78%
75%
73%
86%
80%
12%
12%
13%
11%
6%
16%
20%
20%
10%
18%
6%
5%
7%
Total Safe Neither/Don't Know/No Opinion Total Unsafe
Perceptions of Safety in Cotati by Race/Ethnicity & Age In general
Interacting with
Cotati Police
34 For those who feel unsafe at times, more policing
and improved pedestrian safety would help.
Q8.
Earlier you said that you feel unsafe at times in Cotati.
In a few words of your own, what would make you feel safer in Cotati? (Open-ended; Asked of Residents Who Feel Unsafe in Cotati, n=69) My roads do not have
sidewalks, which make me
feel unsafe on walks.
Services and safe places for
the unhoused and
mentally unstable. A bigger
police presence.
Speeding cars are
a concern while
driving and
walking in town.
More police presence
Road safety/speeding/careless driving
Lighting/more street lighting
Addressing crime/public safety
Road repair/infrastructure
Homelessness
Traffic/congestion
Dogs off leash/leash laws
Drugs/drug activity
Other
Don't know/Unsure
Refused/No Comment
27%
27%
20%
19%
17%
14%
10%
9%
5%
3%
5%
8%
2%
Pedestrian safety/crosswalks/sidewalks
35 Q12. I am going to mention different aspects of police services specifically. I would like you to tell me how satisfied you are personally with the job being done by the City of Cotati Police in providing that program or service to City residents: very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied.
Officers being courteous to the public
Maintaining traffic safety
Maintaining adequate…
Timeliness of response to police calls
911 operators being courteous to the public
Addressing crime committed against people
Treating people fairly regardless of…
Addressing crime involving…
Treating people fairly regardless of whether…
Working with people experiencing…
46%
33%
22%
33%
36%
20%
27%
22%
19%
16%
29%
36%
44%
25%
19%
28%
20%
23%
21%
15%
17%
13%
12%
31%
38%
43%
42%
42%
51%
58%
6%
12%
16%
8%
6%
7%
7%
8%
5%
7%
7%
5%
Very Sat. Smwt. Sat. No Opinion/Don't Know Smwt. Dissat. Very Dissat. Total Sat.
Total
Dissat.
75% 8%
68% 19%
66% 22%
57% 11%
55% 6%
48% 9%
47% 10%
46% 12%
40% 9%
32% 10%
Satisfaction with officer courtesy, traffic
safety, and timeliness is all high.
36 Perceptions of officer courtesy have
increased slightly since 2020.
Q12. I am going to mention different aspects of police services specifically. I would like you to tell me how satisfied you are personally with the job being done by the City of Cotati Police in providing that program or service to City residents: very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied.
Aspect
(Total Satisfied) 2020 2023 Difference(2020-2023)
Officers being courteous to the public 70% 75% +5%
911 operators being courteous to the public 52% 55% +3% Treating people fairly regardless of their race or ethnicity 44% 47% +3% Timeliness of response to police calls 56% 57% +1%
Addressing crime committed against people 48% 48% 0%
Treating people fairly regardless of whether they are homeless 40% 40% 0% Working with people experiencing a mental health crisis 32% 32% 0% Addressing crime involving property damage or theft 47% 46% -1% Maintaining adequate neighborhood patrolling 70% 66% -4% Maintaining traffic safety 73% 68% -5%
37 Q13.
27%
36%
15%
6%
2%
14%
Very positive
Somewhat positive
Mixed
Somewhat negative
Very negative
Don’t know
Total
Positive
63%
Total
Negative
8%
Three in five believe the relationship between
police and residents is a positive one.
2020 2023
Do you believe the relationship between the Cotati police specifically and Cotati residents generally is a positive or a negative one? 31%
33%
20%
3%
1%
12%
Total
Positive
64%
Total
Negative
5%
38 White Residents
Residents of Color
18-49
50-64
65+
32%
26%
26%
33%
42%
34%
33%
36%
32%
27%
31%
35%
33%
32%
28%
6%
Very Pos. Smwt. Pos. Mixed/Don't Know Smwt. Neg. Very Neg.
Q13. Do you believe the relationship between the Cotati police specifically and Cotati residents generally is a positive or a negative one? Cotati Police Relationship by Race/Ethnicity & Age
Total
Pos.
Total
Neg.
65% 4%
58% 6%
61% 6%
65% 3%
69% 3%
Residents of color are a bit more mixed
in this perception, though largely positive.
39 Q15.
5%
9%
50%
4%
2%
30%
Much better
A little better
Same
A little worse
Much worse
Don’t know
Total
Better
14%
Total
Worse
6%
Majorities believe this relationship is about the
same as it has been over the last five years.
2020 2023
And has this relationship gotten better, gotten worse, or stayed about the same over the last five years?
5%
15%
54%
2%
1%
23%
Total
Better
20%
Total
Worse
3%
40 28%
21%
19%
18%
16%
7%
1%
1%
2%
Most with a positive impression had something
good to say about the officer’s personality.
Q14a.
My interface
with Cotati PD
has always
been positive.
They are always
present and in my
experiences with
them courteous,
helpful and
compassionate to
others.
In a few words of your own, why do you believe that relationship is POSITIVE? (Multiple Responses Accepted; Those with Perception of Positive Relationship Only, n=282) Good personality/nice/professional/respectful/good attitude General positive
No issues
Hard working/effective/responsive
Engaged with the community
Other
None/Nothing
Don't know/Unsure
Refused/No Comment
41 The few with a negative impression felt that
police were ineffective or untrustworthy.
Q14b.
Young and full of
power.
Not very respectful.
They don’t live in town
and seem to interact
with other people.
In a few words of your own, why do you believe that relationship is NEGATIVE? (Multiple Responses Accepted; Those with Perception of Negative Relationship Only, n=20; n size, Not Percentage Shown)
Ineffective/waste of money
Bad personality/rude/untrustworthy
Faced discrimination/racism/inequality
Other
Refused/No Comment
8 5
3 3
1 42
28%
15%
13%
8%
4%
4%
12%
19%
1%
Those with a mixed impression had the sense that
the relationship depends on many factors.
Q14c.
The few times
I've talked with
the police have
been positive
but have heard
from other
residents that
their experience
was not positive.
In a few words of your own, why do you believe that relationship is MIXED? (Multiple Responses Accepted; Those with Perception of Mixed Relationship Only, n=86) Both good and bad interactions/depends
Faced discrimination/racism/inequality
Ineffective/unresponsive/weak on crime
Bad personality/rude/untrustworthy/unprofessional
Not for the community/selfish
No experience with police/no personal interactions
Other
Don't know/Unsure
Refused/No Comment
43 Q11.
Very familiar
Somewhat familiar
Not too familiar
Not at all familiar
Don't know
6%
20%
20%
52%
2%
Total
Not Familiar
72%
Total
Familiar
26%
More than seven in ten residents are
unfamiliar with the SAFE Program.
Those with a tie to
someone in law
enforcement and
those who speak a
language other than
English at home are
more likely to be
familiar with the
program.
How familiar are you with the mobile mental health services program provided by the City of Cotati to assist people in crisis known as SAFE, or Specialized Assistance for Everyone? 44 Conclusions
45 Conclusions
• A lack of housing that working families can afford is a top-tier issue facing the city, with no other concern rating nearly as high.
• Cotati is perceived as a safe city overall. Broad majorities say they feel safe interacting with police, driving, walking and playing in their parks and neighborhoods. Perceptions of safety while driving have declined slightly from 2020. • As in 2020, residents also believe Cotati is an “excellent” or “good” place to live and approve of City government generally.
• Police officers and the department are broadly viewed favorably. Issues related to police conduct and discrimination are not seen as top-tier problems by most residents; these concerns are slightly more prevalent among residents of color, but still rank lower than items like housing costs and crime, more broadly. • About one-quarter have personally experienced racism, and they are more likely to be residents of color; residents of color and younger residents are more likely to report having observed racism. Reports of racism from City employees are rare. • Negative perceptions of police are rare, and are often tied to discrete experiences. • Most residents are unfamiliar with the SAFE Program.
For more information,
contact:
Curt Below
[email protected]
Miranda Everitt
[email protected]
1999 Harrison St., Suite 2020
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone (510) 451-9521
Fax (510) 451-0384