Four out of five people in Kotka think their neighbourhood is safe

07.11.2024 | 83%, or around four out of five people in Kotka, feel that their neighbourhood is safe. The result is based on a comprehensive safety survey conducted in Kotka in early autumn, which collected residents’ experiences of safety in their own neighbourhood, but also in the city as a whole.

The survey provided information on issues affecting the feeling of safety, such as crime, disorder and threats from extreme weather events, as well as on measures and solutions needed to improve safety.

The questionnaire consisted of 30 questions plus eight questions on the background of the respondents.

“We can be satisfied with the number of respondents, which in the end was 1,286. We received responses from all neighbourhoods and all age groups,” says Hanna Hannula, Safety Manager of the City of Kotka.

The survey showed that almost every neighbourhood had people who were very satisfied with their neighbourhood. However, darkness in different areas is a concern, increased by street lights being switched off at night, drugs, other intoxicants and drunk driving. In addition, 69% of respondents identify at least one place or area in the Kotka area that they feel is very unsafe.

“In these open responses, the most prominent areas are market areas and certain parks in the city centre, as well as some residential areas and shopping centres,” says Hannula.

“The responses also highlight respondents’ concerns about social inequality, drunk driving, drug use and, more generally, intoxicated people. On the other hand, accidents at home are of relatively little concern,” says Hannula, Safety Manager.

The solutions to the feeling of insecurity offered by respondents include increased public order control by the police, more lighting and better control of underage drug use.

Almost 80% of respondents were somewhat concerned about the increase in extreme weather events in Kotka caused by global warming – long and hotter heat waves were the main concern, as well as heavy rain and flooding.

The results will be used in the safety plan

The results of the survey will be used to assess the safety situation in the Kotka area and will feed into the development of the city’s safety plan. The idea of drawing up a safety plan for Kotka as part of the next council’s well-being plan came from a council initiative. It is also part of the implementation of the Council of State’s decision in principle on well-being, health and security in Kotka.

“The aim of the plan is to identify measures that can improve the safety and sense of security of the residents,” says Hanna Hannula, Head of Security.