The results are in for the Bronx’s first-ever “Well-Being Survey.”
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., whose office conducted the survey, released its results on Monday, December 12. About 1,900 individuals filled out the questionnaire, which was made available in August.
The survey asked people who live and/or work in the borough their opinions on quality of life issues, ranging from the appearance of their neighborhoods to what social issues are the highest priorities.
Education was the category that needs the biggest improvement, by over 57 percent of responders stated, while crime/public safety and economic development/jobs received large pluralities.
The survey also indicated that Bronxites have a generally sunny demeanor, with 64.8 percent saying they have either a “positive” or “confident” outlook on life. And over half called the Bronx a “good” or “excellent” place to live.
“I am happy that so many people who are connected to the Bronx, either because they live here or work here, took a few minutes out of their busy schedule to make their voices heard on the important issues that face our borough,” Diaz said in a statement.
“This information taken from this survey will help my office guide policy in the years to come, and I am grateful to the 1,901 individuals who participated in this important process.”
Sixty four percent of responders listed their neighborhoods as “safe” or “very safe” while only 35 percent rated the borough as a whole as “unsafe.”
The auto was chosen as the most common means of transportation in the borough, with 38 percent saying it was their main method. Thirty six percent listed the subway. Forty four percent said transportation in the Bronx was “fair” while 33 percent chose “poor.”
The surveys were distributed online, in both English and Spanish, as well as at all Bronx community boards.
Residents of Community Board 11 were the most responsive, accounting for 11.6 percent of the survey. Community Board 10 came in an extremely close second, contributing 11.5 percent of the responses.
“We pushed people to fill it out, we got board members to get persuade friends and family to fill it out,” CB 11 district manager Jeremy Warneke said.
“We want people to know that we have concerns, that we exist… And I hope the survey continues. We will have a bigger participation if we have this again next year.”
Bill Weisbrod can be reached via e-mail at bweisbrod@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3394.
