TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, Interim City Manager
FROM: Courtney Knox Busch, Assistant City Manager / Director for Strategy and Engagement
SUBJECT:
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Reporting on changes in perceptions of safety and livability in Salem.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Good Governance; Natural Environment Stewardship; Safe and Healthy Community; Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure; Strong and Diverse Economy; Welcoming and Livable Community.
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SUMMARY:
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The City of Salem conducts a regular community satisfaction survey to gauge perceptions of and satisfaction with City services. In September 2025, the City commissioned a Community Satisfaction Survey <https://www.cityofsalem.net/government/shaping-salem-s-future/salem-strategic-plan> to assess residents’ satisfaction with City services and communications, gather opinions on the value and distribution of City resources, and gauge residents’ sense of safety and livability. Insights drawn from the survey and other outreach activities help advance the City Council and community conversation about priorities for services. On October 13, 2025, City Council unanimously approved a supplemental budget for FY26, adding resources to support the Actionable Strategy for Safety, Cleanliness, and Health.
In early February 2026 a re-test of resident perceptions of safety and livability was conducted to measure the impact of Council’s investments and a shift to seven days a week service from the Homeless Services Team (Police) and Clean Team (Community Services), and January 2026 introduction of REACH health and mental health pilot (Fire and Marion County).
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ISSUE:
Information only.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information only.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
In early February 2026 a re-test of resident perceptions of safety and livability was conducted to measure the impact of Council’s investments and a shift to seven days a week service from the Homeless Services Team (Police) and Clean Team (Community Services), and January 2026 introduction of REACH health and mental health pilot (Fire and Marion County). Salem City Council received a progress report on these activities as part of the Safe, Clean and Healthy initiative update at their January 26, 2026 meeting.
The February 2026 poll re-tests perception of safety and livability (Attachment 1) that were first tested in September 2025, when the City commissioned a Community Satisfaction Survey <https://www.cityofsalem.net/government/shaping-salem-s-future/salem-strategic-plan> to assess residents’ satisfaction with City services and communications, gather opinions on the value and distribution of City resources, and gauge residents’ sense of safety and livability.
From September 2025, key findings related to safety and livability included:
• Homelessness and public safety are the most important issues for residents. Homelessness (43%) and public safety (19%) are the most important issues, cited by residents, for the City to address. The survey captured resident’s impressions of safety and livability, including:
• During the day, most residents feel safe in all parts of the city, and nearly all feel safe in their own neighborhoods. Daytime safety is high across all areas of the city.
• Residents' feelings of safety at night are more variable. Most feel unsafe in north/northeast Salem and downtown at night.
• Residents rate the livability of their own neighborhoods the highest. South and West Salem are most positively rated.
• Nearly 9 in 10 residents surveyed reported visiting downtown in the past month. Those who have visited feel a greater sense of safety downtown during the day and at night.
From February 2026, key findings related to safety and livability included:
• Residents’ feelings of safety at night improved in all areas of the city between September and February. The greatest increase is in North/Northeast Salem, where the total sense of safety increased by 8 percentage points.
• Daytime safety stayed consistent with sentiments in September. Nearly all residents continue to feel safest in their own neighborhoods.
• Residents continue to rate the livability of their own neighborhoods the highest. Residents rate the livability of Downtown (+6 percentage points), West (+4), and North/Northeast (+3) Salem as slightly better than in September.
• 8 in 10 residents surveyed reported visiting downtown in the past month. Those who have visited downtown continue to feel safer there during the day and at night than those who have not visited.
About the February 2026 Safety and Livability Survey. The 2026 Safety and Livability Survey was conducted from February 2 to February 10, 2026 via cell and land-line telephone calls, with an online option to both English and Spanish-speaking Salem residents. DHM Research took measures to ensure survey responses accurately represented all areas of the City and the diverse backgrounds of its residents.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Salem conducts a regular community satisfaction survey to gauge perceptions of and satisfaction with City services. Insights drawn from the survey and other outreach activities help advance the City Council and community conversation about priorities for services. Survey data collected in 2025 can be used to track changes in opinion back to 2017, using several benchmarked survey questions from previous years’ surveys. The City’s current Strategic Plan, annual City Council Policy Agendas or work plans, and community satisfaction surveys are found on the ’Citys Strategic Plan web page <https://www.cityofsalem.net/government/shaping-salem-s-future/salem-strategic-plan>.
Courtney Knox Busch
Assistant City Manager/Director for Strategy and Engagement
Attachments:
1. Summary report on February 2026 Safey and Livability Survey