Crime, Transportation Top Problems for Region

Concern about crime at highest point since 1990s

Contact: Bonnie Kollodge
651.602.1357

ST. PAUL (Feb. 5, 2007) – Crime ranked as the No. 1 concern of metro area residents in 2006, but transportation and traffic congestion were a close second, according to survey results released today by the Metropolitan Council.

In the Council’s annual survey , 36 percent of area residents identified crime as the “single most important problem” facing the seven-county metro area, and 49 percent included crime among the region’s top three problems. Forty-three percent of people who found crime most important wanted more police officers; 12 percent suggested tougher sentencing laws.

According to the survey, traffic congestion and other transportation issues remain critical concerns. Thirty-three percent of the respondents ranked transportation issues as the region’s single most important problem and 64 percent listed them among the top three problems facing the region. Half of those concerned (50 percent) suggested improvements to the region’s transit system, and 31 percent improvements to area roadways.

“A recent study showed the average Twin Cities commuter spends more than $700 on congestion-related costs each year,” said Council Chair Peter Bell. “That’s the equivalent of a week’s vacation – 43 hours – stuck in traffic. The impacts to business are even greater.”

In the coming years, Bell said one of the Council’s top priorities will be improving the existing bus system, and developing a network of bus and rail “transitways,” in an effort “build transit ridership, slow the growth in congestion and improve mobility for everyone.”

Bell said the Council also will continue its efforts to ensure the safety of transit riders, adding four transit police, three community service officers, three police dogs, and more on-board recording cameras in 2006. Transit officers will also spend 150 percent more time on board the buses and trains.

In its survey, the Council also found:

97 percent of residents continue to believe the region is a better place to live than other metropolitan areas, a number that has remained steady throughout the survey’s 24-year history.
34 percent of residents regard parks, trails and natural areas as the region’s most attractive features, followed by 10 percent who list arts and culture.
36 percent of residents believe their community is growing too fast, while 57 percent say the pace of growth is about right.

As for the Metropolitan Council, it received its highest performance approval ratings since this question first was asked in 1997. Seventy-three percent of survey participants reported they have heard about the Council. Of this group, 42 percent said the Council is doing a very good or good job, while just 15 percent rated its performance as poor or very poor. The results are greatly improved from public opinion in 2000, when 19 percent gave the Council favorable ratings and 35 percent gave it unfavorable marks.

Survey questionnaires were sent to 3,300 randomly selected residents within the seven-county Twin Cities region. The Council received 1,422 valid responses by telephone or mail in October and November 2006. Results were weighted to reflect demographic and geographic distribution of the region’s population. The results are considered reliable within a margin of plus or minus 3 percent. See complete report

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities area. It runs the regional bus and light rail system, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The Council is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor.

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