The first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion survey by the city of Brookhaven showed that the majority of respondents think favorably about the Brookhaven Police Department.
Sixty-four percent of respondents said relations between the Brookhaven police officers and the minority community will improve or stay the same during the next 12 months, and 86% believe the officers reflect the race or ethnicity of Brookhaven residents.
Conducted by ETC Institute earlier this year, 406 residents completed the survey.
Overall, the survey shows that residents felt positive about law enforcement, the quality of life in Brookhaven, parks, and trash removal. When asked about traffic court and roads, the survey showed that the majority of responses fell into the “good” category as opposed to “excellent” or “very good.”
The perception of availability of affordable housing received a 35% “poor” rating. It was the highest negatively-rated subject in the survey.
City Manager Christian Sigman said the survey was focused on DEI as a follow-up effort to the Social Justice, Race and Equity Commission.
“It’s the intent of the administration with the funding and approval of the council that each year we are doing one survey of the community,” Sigman said.