Poll sees rising satisfaction with ROC public safety

2015/05/21

The people of Taiwan are increasingly satisfied with the country’s public safety and police services, according to the National Police Agency May 19.

“In addition to crime rates, public perception is an important gauge of the safety of a society,” an NPA official said. “The latest findings represent a vote of confidence in government efforts ensuring a secure living environment for the people.”

In the NPA-commissioned opinion poll, 89.76 percent of the 23,000-plus respondents nationwide said they are satisfied with the safety of their neighborhoods. This is the fifth increase in a row and the best result since the quarterly survey began in 2006.

A total of 75.49 percent consider their cities or counties safe, while 44.12 percent hold a positive view toward the overall safety of Taiwan. Both figures are best-ever results.

“The numbers indicate that major criminal and public disturbance cases play a role in the people’s overall safety perceptions,” the official said. “Intensive media coverage tends to magnify the impact, creating a huge gap between perception and reality.”

Concerning the performance of the police, the poll revealed that a record 85.66 percent are happy, with only 13.17 percent expressing discontent—the lowest level to date.

The official attributed the encouraging numbers to a raft of measures adopted by the NPA in recent years. This includes setting up a hotline in conjunction with the Ministry of the Interior for providing updated information on cases under investigation.

Taiwan’s public safety track record is also highly commended by other research reports.

In the 2015 Business Climate Survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, foreign executives are positive about the quality of life in Taiwan. They cite the friendliness of the people, a safe environment and easy lifestyle as the top three attractions.

Earlier this year, U.S.-based lifestyle magazine Presscave listed Taiwan as the second safest country in the world, “with low exposure to robbery, crime and violence.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=230587&ctNode=413)