The Norwood News conducted a survey in the past month, producing a snapshot of local concerns. Overwhelmingly, area residents want a cleaner neighborhood.

The survey was begun with visits to local venues by newspaper staffers, who asked passers-by to answer a list of questions. The survey was then posted on the paper’s website until a roughly equal number of individuals had responded.

Results proved that the Norwood News has succeeded with its own marketing mission, as 86 percent of those surveyed said they know about the award-winning publication. In contrast, only 65 percent of respondents know their New York City Council representative. Community Board 7 also fared well, with 81 percent of survey respondents confirming they know what the board is.  However, the borough itself has a major public relations problem, as a hefty 65 percent of residents filling out the forms believe that outsiders perceive the Bronx in a negative fashion.  Residents were about evenly divided on specific improvements they would like to see in the area, with about a third wanting more police officers and/or lower rents, and a quarter desiring to see more schools and/or more parks.

When it comes to getting problems resolved, the survey proved that 311 has been a resounding success in the neighborhood.  Seventy-five percent said they use the service, whereas only 25 percent contact their New York City Council member to resolve problems, and less than 15 percent reach out to elected representatives at the state or federal level.

The survey asked residents to identify “the biggest problem in the Bronx,” and provided a list of 20 concerns to choose from.  That query produced clear support for better sanitation in the neighborhood, with dog waste and “too much garbage” cited as the number one and number two issues of concern.   “Not enough parking” landed in the number three spot, followed by crime, high rents, noise, bad landlords, the need to create jobs, messy parks, and drug use, in that order.

Following a winter of heavy snows and a hot, steamy summer, it was perhaps, surprising that survey respondents did not express much concern about un-plowed streets or open hydrants.  They also seem relatively satisfied with the amount of mass transit offered, although about a third of respondents want the subways to be cleaner.

The Norwood News plans to build on this snapshot and come up with a broader and more scientific poll of resident concerns.  Check back to find out when this occurs, and make your voice heard.