Context
Public Safety is an essential measure of a region's quality of life. For instance, high crime rates, and even perceptions of high crime, affect home purchase trends and discourage businesses from setting up shop in an area. Trends in juvenile crime shed light on the future of the region's youth, while perceptions of justice raise questions of fairness and equity in the region.
What Public Safety Measures
The State of the Region’s review of Public Safety in Buffalo Niagara addresses both actual and perceived threats to the safety of citizens in this region. The project measures rates of violent crime, property crime and domestic violence; trends in incarceration; juvenile arrests and drug offences and the number of fires in the region.
The Road Ahead
The project has found that objective and easily classified data are difficult to locate. Public safety issues are subject to serious measurement problems, as reporting and categorization practices vary among different service providers. For instance, “hate crimes” appear to be so unevenly reported across different jurisdictions that the State of the Region has been unable to develop an indicator in this area. Additionally, crime rates may vary depending on whether one is evaluating police reports or the later processing stages of arrest, clearance, prosecution, and conviction. In the near future, technology may improve crime prevention and response methods.
Public Safety Indicators - (Latest Indicator Updates)
7.1 Violent Crime — 
(Feb 2005 )
Trends in violent crime in Western New York, with the frequency of reports and the proportion of arrests for each type of violent crime (murder, robbery, aggravated assault and forcible rape)
7.2 Property Crime — (Feb 2005 )
Trends in property crime in Western New York, with the frequency of reports and the proportion of arrests for each type of property crime (burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson and criminal mischief)
7.3 Youth Crime — (Nov 2000 )
Juvenile arrests in Western New York for seven of the eight index crimes (murder, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, larceny, burglary and motor vehicle theft); arrests of juveniles under age 12; juvenile arrests as a proportion of all arrests
7.4 Domestic Violence — (Nov 2000 )
Reports of domestic violence and perpetrators of domestic violence in Western New York
7.5 Drug Offenses — (Nov 2000 )
Arrests for sale or use of controlled substances (cocaine, marijuana, synthetics and other drugs) in Western New York
7.6 Incarceration — (Dec 2002 )
Population of Western New York county correctional facilities; county jail admissions by race/ethnicity
7.7 Fires — (Nov 1999 )
Number and type of fires and instances of mutual aid responses by fire companies in Western New York
7.8 Emergency Response — (Nov 1999 )
Emergency Medical Services’ response and transport times in Western New York
7.9 Motor Vehicle Accidents — (Dec 2002 )
Western New York motor vehicle accidents, injuries and fatalities as well as motor vehicle violations, including driving while under the influence of alcohol
7.10 Perceptions of Justice — (Dec 2002 )
Western New York residents’ perception of the treatment of whites and minorities in encounters with the region’s police and judicial system
Progress Over Time