Police (illustration)
Police (illustration)Israel news photo: Flash 90

A survey measuring Israelis’ feelings about security and the Israeli Police has found that the majority of Israelis feel “very secure” in their own towns and cities.

Fifty-eight percent said they feel a high sense of personal security in their hometown, and 56% said they feel very safe at enclosed shopping and entertainment centers with security.

Forty-one percent said they feel very safe at unsecured stores and entertainment centers as well, and 38% said they feel very safe on public transportation. Forty-four percent said they feel their children are very safe in school or daycare.

Malls, clubs and bus lines were frequent targets of suicide bombers during the “Intifada” wave of terrorist attacks, and the figures illustrate a notable resilience on the part of Israelis despite past and ongoing threats against their security.

The survey found that the level of public concern over terrorism remains lower than in 2002, at the peak of the “Intifada” terror, but continues to remain relatively stable compared to 2003-2012. Thirty-nine percent of Israelis said they are highly concerned over the possibility of a terrorist attack, 27% said they were moderately concerned, and 34% reported being only somewhat concerned.

The poll found Israelis were more fearful of a traffic accident, with 51% saying they are very fearful of being injured or killed in an accident.

In general, women expressed higher feelings of concern than men, those age 30 or over were more concerned than younger respondents, native Israelis were more concerned over security than were immigrants, Jews were more concerned than Arabs, and those with a monthly income under the national average were more concerned than higher-income respondents.

Over two-thirds of respondents (69%) said seeing a police presence increases their feeling of personal security, and 66% said that the presence of traffic police improves their sense of security on the roads. However, 68% said there is an insufficient police presence on the roads and in public areas, and 56% would like to see a higher police presence in their area of residence.

Fifty-nine percent said police should have more resources at their disposal.

When asked an open-ended question on what issue they would most like to see police focus on, 39% said police should focus on fighting violent crime and thuggish behavior.

The survey was conducted by an office affiliated with the Internal Security Ministry. 1,872 people participated in the survey.