By Jade Buchanan-Moh

Public safety was the top of the list of resident concerns in Burien’s recent community survey.

Emily Inlow-Hood, spokeswoman for Burien, discussed the results during the last city council meeting.

She explained that the city has conducted its survey every two years since 2008 “to assess residents’ perceptions about the general quality of life here in Burien, as well as their satisfaction with city government services.”

The 2018 survey consisted of 53 online questions. To increase accessibility, the poll was available in three languages--English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Responses were collected from 1,317 individuals, and 1,212 identified as Burien residents.

When asked for the most important issues facing the city, 50 percent selected public safety, and 31 percent of responders indicated feeling unsafe or somewhat unsafe.

The top solution included increasing police presence and regular patrols.

Alicia Koné of Koné Consulting, the firm hired to aid with the distribution of this year’s survey, added that “homelessness and affordable housing are increasing on the radar.”

Of all respondents, 64 percent said that the quality of living in Burien was either good or excellent. In contrast, the dissatisfaction with city government increased to 32 percent from the 2016 survey.

Although 59 percent of respondents reported being either satisfied or extremely satisfied with communications coming directly from the city, many residents agreed that improvements can be made.

Some survey takers requested that the City Council be more transparent, especially about how funds are used. Others noted the importance of a more user-friendly website and expanding social media platforms to reach teens through Instagram our Twitter.

Another concern the 2018 survey addressed was the perspectives on the fairness--or lack thereof-- with which residents are treated.

When asking about whether or not all Burien city residents, regardless of race, religion, or sexuality, were treated respectfully, 35 percent disagreed, saying that not everyone is treated equally, and 17 percent believed that city resources are not available to everyone.

The survey asked what the city could do to make everyone feel welcome.

Residents requested that the city host a wider variety of events surrounding different ethnic groups.

One response also noted that the city should attempt to “ensure that people with a wide variety of perspectives and needs are represented in planning and decision-making.”

A complete version of the survey results will be posted online. For more information about the City of Burien, visit www.burienwa.gov.