Priority Area: Safety

Why is safety so important to health?

Healthy and safe environments allow people to access resources and make healthy choices they might not otherwise be able to make. According to a brief from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “Social and economic features of neighborhoods have been linked with mortality, general health status, disability, birth outcomes, chronic conditions, health behaviors and other risk factors for chronic disease, as well as with mental health, injuries, violence and other important health indicators.” People living in unsafe neighborhoods tend to have fewer options for active transportation or open spaces to be active, further influencing their ability to participate in healthy behaviors.

Additionally, victims of violence are at increased risk of depression, substance abuse, anxiety, reproductive health problems, and suicidal behavior, according to the World Health Organization’s “World Report on Violence and Health.

How do the goals align with the Countywide Vision?

The Countywide Vision seeks to work collaboratively to address dual priorities: 1) Establish a forum to facilitate information sharing and discussion across all segments of public safety; and 2) Foster an environment that encourages shared resources and strategic planning for public safety programs and services.

What did the data show?

In 2010, there were 31 crimes per 1,000 residents in San Bernardino County, down from 36 crimes per 1,000 in 2006. Similarly, the crime rate is going down in the State. However, the crime rate in the County has been higher than the State since 2007. When looking at school safety only about half (54%) of San Bernardino County students in 7th, 9th, 11th grade felt “safe” or “very safe” (50% to 58%) in school in 2009-2011, lower than in California overall at 60% to 63%.