Poll: U. City quality of life has improved

Still, just over half of the 2,000 respondents said they feel safe in the area. Life is good in University City, according to a recent survey. More than half of 2,000 residents, business owners and workers polled last spring in a study conducted for the University City District said the atmosphere in University City has improved since fall 1997. The UCD -- a year-old group dedicated to improving the quality of life in the area around Penn while promoting it to other city and suburban residents -- hired the firm of Eshelman & Townsend to poll residents about its effectiveness. More than 90 percent of the people surveyed said they frequently or occasionally see police and security officers in University City. Still, while Penn Police statistics indicate that crime has dropped sharply over the past several years, only 55 percent of respondents to the survey said they feel safe in University City. About half of the respondents said they were aware of the UCD program and its goals before taking the survey. "We are making some noise," said UCD Executive Director Paul Steinke. "People do seem to be noticing that we're out there cleaning sidewalks everyday." Steinke added that officials were so pleased with the results that "we were doing backflips." Fifteen thousand surveys were distributed through mail, e-mail and on-the-street interviews to people throughout University City. Two thousand were returned. Sixty-eight percent of those surveyed said area sidewalks are cleaner than they were in August 1997, when the UCD's sidewalk cleaning initiative went into effect. Fifty-eight percent said the cleaning staff was clearly visible during the weekdays. Of the respondents, only 37 percent were aware of the exact responsibilities of UCD's safety ambassadors -- the yellow-uniformed, unarmed officers who patrol University City. Sixty-four percent reported seeing the ambassadors, and 22 percent had had conversations with them. Survey participants said the UCD's future priorities should be increasing knowledge of University City attractions and improving its physical appearance. The UCD has organized monthly events on the third Thursday of each month through next spring to highlight area culture and attractions. Last month's Go West! Go International! 3rd Thursdays festival was the first in the series. Respondents to the survey also said the UCD should focus on improving lighting and decreasing the number of vacant buildings in the area to increase citizens' perceptions of safety. The safety ambassadors are examining the area to pinpoint trees with branches that block street lights. When they are finished compiling the list, it will be given to the city so the trees can be removed, brightening area sidewalks.