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Taubman Center for Public Policy Survey
Providence Residents Not Very Worried About Terrorist Attacks
A public opinion survey of 432 adults in Providence indicates that more than two-thirds of city residents are not worried about a terrorist attack harming them or a family member next year. Twenty-eight percent say they keep emergency supplies on hand, and 41 percent say they try to watch out for people who look or act like terrorists. PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Providence residents are not very worried about terrorist attacks in the capital city, according to a survey conducted by researchers at Brown University. More than two-thirds of respondents say they do not think they or someone in their family will be the victim of a terrorist attack in Providence during the next year. The survey was conducted Sept. 18-21, 2004, at Brown University by Darrell M. West, director of the Taubman Center for Public Policy and the John Hazen White Sr. Public Opinion Laboratory, and Marion Orr, professor of political science, urban studies and public policy. It is based on a citywide random sample of 432 adults in Providence. Overall, the survey has a margin of error of about plus or minus five percentage points. The survey was conducted in conjunction with the Thomas Anton/Frederick Lippitt Conference, “Homeland Security in Urban America,” being held at the University Friday, Sept. 24. The conference features Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell, Providence Mayor David Cicilline, and academic experts who will discuss how the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks have affected cities. Conference details are online at www.brown.edu/Departments/Taubman_Center/Events.html. When asked about their concern regarding specific kinds of attacks, 12 percent of respondents indicate they are very concerned about a radioactive bomb attack in Providence during the next year, 15 percent are very concerned about a car or truck bomb, and 15 percent are very concerned about a biological or chemical attack in the capital city. To see how the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., have affected personal behavior, researchers asked whether these attacks had made people less likely to go to downtown Providence for restaurants and entertainment or for business. Only 8 percent say the attacks have made them less likely to go downtown for restaurants and entertainment, while 5 percent say the attacks have made them less likely to go downtown for business. As a result of the attacks, 9 percent say they are less likely to trust their neighbors and 41 percent say they try to watch out for people who look or act like terrorists. Forty-eight percent indicate that the thought of terrorism makes them very angry, while 14 percent say it makes them very anxious. When asked how they are dealing with the terrorist threat, 28 percent of city residents say that they have stocked an emergency kit of food, batteries, first aid or other supplies in case of a terrorist attack, while 45 percent say they are more careful about their surroundings when the federal government raises its official terrorism threat alert. Sixty percent say they are willing for the City of Providence to reallocate some existing funds to protect the city against a terrorist attack. The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks continue to be a topic of discussion for many people. Twenty-three percent say they discuss the attacks at least once a week, 28 percent say they discuss once every few weeks, 23 percent indicate they talk about it once every few months, and 21 percent claim they almost never discuss the attacks with other people. For more information, call Darrell M. West at (401) 863-1163 or visit www.InsidePolitics.org. Survey Questions and Responses How worried are you that you or someone in your family will be the victim of a terrorist attack in Providence during the next year: 10% very worried, 20% somewhat worried, 69% not too worried, 1% don’t know or no answer How concerned are you about the possibility of there being a radioactive bomb attack in Providence over the next year? 12% very concerned, 21% somewhat concerned, 64% not very concerned, 3% don’t know or no answer How concerned are you about the possibility of there being a car or truck bomb in Providence over the next year? 15% very concerned, 28% somewhat concerned, 54% not very concerned, 3% don’t know or no answer How concerned are you about the possibility of there being a biological or chemical attack in Providence over the next year? 15% very concerned, 25% somewhat concerned, 57% not very concerned, 3% don’t know or no answer How likely do you think that a terrorist attack will take place in Providence during the next year? 5% very likely, 22% somewhat likely, 68% not very likely, 5% don’t know or no answer How often do you discuss the September 11 terrorist attacks with other people? 5% at least once a day, 18% once a week, 28% once every few weeks, 23% once every few months, 21% almost never, 5% don’t know or no answer When you talk with other people about September 11, do they tend to: 74% agree, 6% disagree with your viewpoints, 20% don’t know or no answer Have the September 11 terrorist attacks made you less likely to go to downtown Providence for restaurants and entertainment? 8% yes, 86% no, 6% don’t know or no answer Have the September 11 terrorist attacks made you less likely to go to downtown Providence for business? 5% yes, 86% no, 9% don’t know or no answer Have the September 11 terrorist attacks made you less likely to trust your neighbors? 9% yes, 85% no, 6% don’t know or no answer As a result of September 11, do you try to watch out for people who look or act like terrorists? 41% yes, 49% no, 10% don’t know or no answer Does the thought of terrorism make you feel: 14% very anxious, 39% somewhat anxious, 39% not very anxious, 8% don’t know or no answer Does the thought of terrorism make you feel: 12% very afraid, 38% somewhat afraid, 43% not very afraid, 7% don’t know or no answer Does the thought of terrorism make you feel: 48% very angry, 27% somewhat angry, 17% not very angry, 8% don’t know or no answer Do you have an emergency kit of food, batteries, first aid, or other supplies in case of a terrorist attack? 28% yes, 65% no, 7% don’t know or no answer Are you more careful about your surroundings when the federal government raises its official terrorism threat alert? 45% yes, 46% no, 9% don’t know or no answer Would you be willing for the city of Providence to reallocate some of its existing funds to protect the city against a terrorist attack? 60% yes, 23% no, 17% don’t know or no answer ###### News Service Home | Top of File | e-Subscribe | Brown Home Page | ||||