VillageLivingOnline.com
June 2014 • A7
City survey shows high resident satisfaction By MADOLINE MARKHAM
Mountain Brook vs. the U.S. 100
98
97
%
75
90
%
82 %
%
80 %
50
71 %
25
Source: 2014 ETC Institute
A new survey conducted by the City of Mountain Brook has found that residents are highly satisfied with city services. Conducted by market research organization ETC Institute, the City received 787 completed seven-page surveys, which far surpassed its goal of receiving 400 surveys. The results revealed that the overall satisfaction with city services rated 41 percent above the national average. Mountain Brook rated at or above the national average in 37 of the 38 areas that were compared. ETC’s analysis concluded that the City’s priorities are closely aligned with the expectations of residents. The services that received the lowest satisfaction ratings were visibility of police in retail areas (78 percent satisfied) number of city parks (77 percent satisfied), ease of registering for programs (76 percent satisfied), availability of information on city services, (75 percent satisfied), animal control services (73 percent satisfied), quality of the city’s website (69 percent satisfied), level of public involvement in local decisions (63 percent satisfied) and adequacy of city street lighting (61 percent satisfied). The survey also concluded that management of traffic flow and congestion and the maintenance of city streets and facilities should be high priorities over the next two years. Fifty-one percent of respondents ranked traffic flow as the most important city service, with maintenance of city streets and facilities the second-strongest priority according to residents. Among other findings in the survey, 70 percent of respondents said they use city sidewalks
Overall Satisfaction with Major City Services
0
Quality of Quality of public library public safety services facilities and services Mountain Brook
Quality parks/ recreation/ facilities U.S.
weekly, 27 percent use the new city Wi-Fi networks, and 77 percent recycle weekly. “I was very pleased with the very positive results of the survey and at the same time very humbled by the confidence our residents have in our city government,” City Manager Sam Gaston said. “We are blessed in Mountain Brook to have strong leadership by our mayor and city council as well as professional, dedicated employees who go the extra mile to serve.”
CRIME REPORT May 1-7 Theft of Property A theft occurred in the 100 block of Spring Streeton May 6. Unknown suspect(s) stole a purse, credit cards, phone and currency. A theft occurred in the 10 block of Montcrest Road on May 5. Unknown suspect(s) stole mail from a mailbox. A theft occurred in the 3000 block of Brookwood Road between May 4-5. Mail was stolen from a mailbox by unknown suspect(s). A theft occurred in the 20 block of Glenview Circle between the dates April 29-May 4. Unknown suspect(s) stole golf clubs. A theft occurred in the 2800 block of Southwood Road between April 1-May 3. Silver was stolen by unknown suspect(s). On May 5 unknown suspect(s) damaged a mailbox in the 3700 block of North Woodridge Road. Case Update from May 1 There have been two arrests in connection to the theft of leaf blowers on Cambridge Road. Kayla Alise Hawkins and Robert Shane Thomas have been arrested and charged with theft in this case. Charges are also pending in other jurisdictions for Hawkins and Thomas. April 24-30 Unlawful Breaking Entering Vehicle A UBEV occurred on April 29 in the 3000 block of Cambridge Road. Unknown suspect(s) stole two leaf blowers from a truck. April 18-24 Unlawful Breaking Entering Vehicle A UBEV occurred between April 18-19 on the 3600 block of Montevallo Road. Unknown suspect(s) entered unlocked vehicle and stole credit cards. Theft of Property A theft occurred on April 17 in the 600 block of Brookwood Village. Mountain Brook Police officers responded to the scene and arrested the suspect Tammie Yvette Smith.
Burglary Update April 11-17 Unlawful Breaking / Entering Vehicle A UBEV occurred on April 12 in the 3600 block of Bethune Drive. Unknown suspect(s) forced entry to the vehicle and stole credit cards, phone and an iPad. Theft of Property A theft occurred on April 5 in the 10 block of Beechwood Road. The victim reported the theft of earrings. Burglary / Residential A residential burglary occurred in the 3900 block of Old Leeds Road on April 16. An unknown person entered the residence. A television and jewelry were stolen. This incident was later declared to be unfounded after the property was located by the resident. A residential burglary occurred on April 16 in the 3400 block of Pine Ridge Road. Unknown suspects(s) forced open a basement door and entered the residence. A firearm, television and check book were stolen. A residential burglary occurred on April 16 in the 3900 block of Old Leeds Road. Unknown suspect(s) forced open the rear door of the residence and entered. A television, laptop computer and jewelry were stolen. A residential burglary occurred in the 2900 block of Cherokee Road on April 16. A witness observed a suspect enter a residence and contacted the Police Department. A suspect was apprehended by responding patrol officers. Tools were stolen from the residence. Mountain Brook officers responded to the scene one of these burglaries in progress. Officers detained a suspect in connection to the incident. After further investigation, Jerry Arwood was formally charged with burglary and theft. -Submitted by Mountain Brook Police Department
Relationships Matter!
Thomas A. (Tommy) Roberts, CIC; Harold West; David Bates, III; Stratton Fowlkes; David (Bubba) Bates, IV, CIC; Ben I. Jackson, Jr., CIC, CRM; Henry S. (Sonny) Fowlkes III; Len Shannon.
For All of Your Insurance Needs… Business, Home, Auto and More
We believe that the relationship with our clients and companies is very important. Our philosophy is that the client should know the person on the other end of the phone. We’ll be there when there is a claim, a service item, or anything you need. Plus the companies we represent make us proud. We like to think about it as providing concierge service... at no additional cost.
1812 Sixth Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35210 (205) 956-0563 www.batesia.com