Press Release | Graphs New Jersey Institute of Technology Technology Survey – Homeland Security 400 New York Metro Area Residents, Margin of Error ± 4.9% August 11-14, 2002 Topline Report Note: Percentages may not add to 100 because of rounding. 1. Are you 18 years of age or older? 100% Yes 2. Thinking about issues of security and safety. Would you say the Metropolitan New York area is much more secure and safe from terrorism now than before September 11th, somewhat more safe and secure, somewhat less safe and secure, much less safe and secure or would you say the level of safety and security from terrorism has not changed? 19% Much more safe and secure 60% Net more safe and secure 41% Somewhat more safe and secure 6% Somewhat less safe and secure 10% Net less safe and secure 4% Much less safe and secure 23% No change 7% Don't know/Refused 3. What about you personally, would you say you feel much more safe and secure from terrorism now than before September 11th, somewhat more safe and secure, somewhat less safe and secure, much less safe and secure or would you say your feelings about your personal level of safety and security from terrorism has not changed? 11% Much more safe and secure 42% Net more safe and secure 31% Somewhat more safe and secure 11% Somewhat less safe and secure 24% Net less safe and secure 13% Much less safe and secure 32% No change 3% Don't know/Refused 4. How likely would you say it is that another act of terrorism will occur within the Metro area within the next year? Would you say it is very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely or very unlikely that another act of terrorism will occur within the United States within the next year? 26% Very likely 63% Net likely 37% Somewhat likely 17% Somewhat unlikely 28% Net unlikely 11% Very unlikely 9% Don't know/Refused 5. Thinking for a moment about bioterrorism. How likely would you say it is that a terrorist attack using biological weapons will occur within the Metro area within the next year? Would you say it is very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely or very unlikely that a terrorist attack using biological weapons will occur within the Metro area within the next year? 14% Very likely 48% Net likely 34% Somewhat likely 20% Somewhat unlikely 39% Net unlikely 19% Very unlikely 12% Don't know/Refused For each of the following, please tell me how serious a concern it is to you personally, that is, if you believe it could personally affect you or not. For each, please tell me if it is a very serious concern that it could happen to you, a somewhat serious concern, not that serious or not serious at all. 6A. Having your privacy invaded by a government agency or department 37% Very serious concern 61% Net serious concern 24% Somewhat serious concern 16% Not that serious a concern 20% Not serious at all 3% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 6B. Anthrax 30% Very serious concern 57% Net serious concern 27% Somewhat serious concern 19% Not that serious a concern 23% Not serious at all 1% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 7A. Chemical or biological weapons 46% Very serious concern 76% Net serious concern 30% Somewhat serious concern 14% Not that serious a concern 9% Not serious at all * Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 7B. A 'dirty bomb' that spreads radioactive material 33% Very serious concern 60% Net serious concern 27% Somewhat serious concern 19% Not that serious a concern 20% Not serious at all 1% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 8A. Planes being hijacked and crashed into nuclear power plants 39% Very serious concern 67% Net serious concern 28% Somewhat serious concern 19% Not that serious a concern 11% Not serious at all 2% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 8B. Planes being hijacked and crashed into buildings 37% Very serious concern 63% Net serious concern 26% Somewhat serious concern 15% Not that serious a concern 21% Not serious at all 2% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 9A. Nuclear weapons 40% Very serious concern 73% Net serious concern 30% Somewhat serious concern 15% Not that serious a concern 15% Not serious at all 1% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 9B. Truck or car bombs 27% Very serious concern 56% Net serious concern 29% Somewhat serious concern 17% Not that serious a concern 27% Not serious at all * Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 10A. Individual suicide bombings 33% Very serious concern 68% Net serious concern 35% Somewhat serious concern 16% Not that serious a concern 14% Not serious at all 2% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 10B. Contamination of the water supply 45% Very serious concern 71% Net serious concern 26% Somewhat serious concern 14% Not that serious a concern 12% Not serious at all 2% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 11A. Being falsely detained or arrested 27% Very serious concern 51% Net serious concern 24% Somewhat serious concern 14% Not that serious a concern 35% Not serious at all 1% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 11B. Being profiled based on your ethnicity 23% Very serious concern 43% Net serious concern 20% Somewhat serious concern 18% Not that serious a concern 35% Not serious at all 3% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 12A. Violent crime, such as assault 38% Very serious concern 70% Net serious concern 32% Somewhat serious concern 15% Not that serious a concern 14% Not serious at all 1% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 12B. Non-violent crime, such as burglary or theft 21% Very serious concern 63% Net serious concern 42% Somewhat serious concern 20% Not that serious a concern 17% Not serious at all * Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 13A. Smallpox 27% Very serious concern 54% Net serious concern 27% Somewhat serious concern 19% Not that serious a concern 24% Not serious at all 3% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 13B. Being attacked by a shark 5% Very serious concern 11% Net serious concern 8% Somewhat serious concern 20% Not that serious a concern 65% Not serious at all 1% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 14A. Being in an automobile accident 28% Very serious concern 62% Net serious concern 34% Somewhat serious concern 17% Not that serious a concern 20% Not serious at all 1% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 14B. Being struck by lighting 11% Very serious concern 24% Net serious concern 13% Somewhat serious concern 20% Not that serious a concern 54% Not serious at all 2% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 15. Have you seen, read or heard anything about what your state government is doing to plan for and protect against terrorist attacks? IF YES, ASK: What have you seen, read or heard? (DO NOT READ LIST) 9% Yes - Improving training of law enforcement officials 8% Yes - Developing preparedness plans for law enforcement 5% Yes - Building a new state police headquarters 5% Yes - Preparing emergency medical teams 4% Yes - Better labs to detect and analyze biological and chemical agents/threats 3% Yes - Better equipment in hospitals 14% Yes - Other (SPECIFY) 46% No 7% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 16. Who would you call if you suspected that a letter or package that was delivered to your house contained a biohazard, such as anthrax? (DO NOT READ LIST) 78% Police / Local police / 911 8% FBI 5% Post office 3% Family member / Friend 2% Fire department 2% State police * Media - Office / Department of Homeland Security 1% Other (SPECIFY) * No one * Don't know/Refused 16Z. Which of the following would you say has the greatest responsibility for keeping us safe from terrorism? (READ LIST, ACCEPT ONLY ONE RESPONSE) 58% The government of the United States 18% The United States military 5% Your state government 7% Your local police department 2% Your local city or town government 7% Other (DO NOT READ) (SPECIFY) 3% Don't know/Refused For each of the following, please tell me how prepared you think each is to cope with a terrorist attack that used nuclear, chemical or biological weapons? Would you say … is/are very well prepared, somewhat well prepared, not very prepared, or not prepared at all to cope with a terrorist attack that used nuclear, chemical or biological weapons? 17. The government of the United States 39% Very well prepared 79% Net prepared 40% Somewhat well prepared 8% Not very prepared 18% Net not prepared 10% Not prepared at all 4% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 18. The United States military 55% Very well prepared 87% Net prepared 32% Somewhat well prepared 6% Not very prepared 9% Net not prepared 3% Not prepared at all 4% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 19. Your state government 21% Very well prepared 62% Net prepared 41% Somewhat well prepared 19% Not very prepared 31% Net not prepared 12% Not prepared at all 7% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 20. Your local police department 19% Very well prepared 62% Net prepared 43% Somewhat well prepared 16% Not very prepared 30% Net not prepared 14% Not prepared at all 8% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 21. Your local fire department 26% Very well prepared 72% Net prepared 46% Somewhat well prepared 14% Not very prepared 22% Net not prepared 8% Not prepared at all 7% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 22. Your local hospitals 23% Very well prepared 68% Net prepared 45% Somewhat well prepared 14% Not very prepared 26% Net not prepared 12% Not prepared at all 6% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 23. Local Emergency Medical Units 25% Very well prepared 71% Net prepared 46% Somewhat well prepared 15% Not very prepared 24% Net not prepared 9% Not prepared at all 6% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 24. The American people 9% Very well prepared 40% Net prepared 31% Somewhat well prepared 26% Not very prepared 56% Net not prepared 30% Not prepared at all 3% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 25. You, personally 16% Very well prepared 46% Net prepared 30% Somewhat well prepared 20% Not very prepared 51% Net not prepared 31% Not prepared at all 4% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) For each of the following, please tell me if you have a great deal of confidence, some confidence, little confidence or no confidence in them. How much confidence do you have in… 26. The ability of your state government to protect citizens from future terrorist attacks. 12% A great deal of confidence 62% Net great deal/some confidence 50% Some confidence 24% Little confidence 37% Net little/no confidence 13% No confidence 2% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 27. The ability of your state government to use surveillance of telephone and internet communications to detect threats and stop terrorist attacks before they happen. 16% A great deal of confidence 58% Net great deal/some confidence 42% Some confidence 22% Little confidence 39% Net little/no confidence 17% No confidence 3% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 28. The ability of different Metro area agencies to share information and communicate with each other. 18% A great deal of confidence 61% Net great deal/some confidence 43% Some confidence 21% Little confidence 35% Net little/no confidence 14% No confidence 5% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 29. The ability of the your state government to communicate information to the public about what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. 20% A great deal of confidence 64% Net great deal/some confidence 44% Some confidence 21% Little confidence 33% Net little/no confidence 12% No confidence 3% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 30. The ability of the security at Metro area airports to stop terrorists from entering the country. 13% A great deal of confidence 52% Net great deal/some confidence 39% Some confidence 23% Little confidence 44% Net little/no confidence 21% No confidence 4% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 31. The ability of the security at Metro area ports to stop terrorists from entering the country. 12% A great deal of confidence 50% Net great deal/some confidence 38% Some confidence 26% Little confidence 46% Net little/no confidence 20% No confidence 5% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 32. The ability of your state government to provide immunizations for smallpox or other biological agents in the event of a bioterrorist attack. 18% A great deal of confidence 62% Net great deal/some confidence 44% Some confidence 21% Little confidence 35% Net little/no confidence 14% No confidence 3% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 33. That research money for homeland security will be spent on the best scientific research and development of new technology. 16% A great deal of confidence 58% Net great deal/some confidence 42% Some confidence 22% Little confidence 36% Net little/no confidence 14% No confidence 6% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 34. Have you canceled, postponed, or changed vacation plans because of concerns about a terrorist attack this summer? 18% Yes 77% No 4% Did not have vacation plans (DO NOT READ) 1% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) Now I am going to read you some things that the state government might do to protect against or prepare for terrorist attacks. After each I want you to tell me if you think it is an excellent idea, a good idea, only a fair idea or a poor idea. 35. Increase security at our ports of entry, making sure that every cargo container is inspected or accounted for, so cargo containers aren't used by terrorists to smuggle weapons into the Metro area. 56% Excellent idea 89% Net Excellent/Good idea 33% Good idea 6% Only a fair idea 8% Net Fair/Poor idea 2% A poor idea 3% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 36. Install sensors and other devices in populated areas to detect radioactive bombs or biological weapons. 41% Excellent idea 78% Net Excellent/Good idea 37% Good idea 9% Only a fair idea 18% Net Fair/Poor idea 9% A poor idea 3% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 37. Provide gas masks to all citizens. 22% Excellent idea 45% Net Excellent/Good idea 23% Good idea 20% Only a fair idea 52% Net Fair/Poor idea 32% A poor idea 3% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 38. Provide training and information to all citizens about what to do in the case of a biological or chemical attack. 54% Excellent idea 84% Net Excellent/Good idea 30% Good idea 11% Only a fair idea 14% Net Fair/Poor idea 3% A poor idea 2% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 39. Tighten the application process of getting official government i.d., such as driver's licenses. 52% Excellent idea 82% Net Excellent/Good idea 30% Good idea 9% Only a fair idea 16% Net Fair/Poor idea 7% A poor idea 2% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 40. Improve international policing of dangerous chemicals and biological agents. 49% Excellent idea 87% Net Excellent/Good idea 38% Good idea 5% Only a fair idea 10% Net Fair/Poor idea 5% A poor idea 3% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 41. Increase funding for research and development of security technology. 38% Excellent idea 79% Net Excellent/Good idea 41% Good idea 12% Only a fair idea 19% Net Fair/Poor idea 7% A poor idea 2% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 42. Put research money into the hands of scientists and technology experts, and not politicians. 38% Excellent idea 78% Net Excellent/Good idea 40% Good idea 10% Only a fair idea 17% Net Fair/Poor idea 7% A poor idea 5% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 43. Which one of the following areas do you think should be the focus of new technology research and development? (ACCEPT ONLY ONE RESPONSE) 26% Protecting power plants, water and food supply, airports, roads and bridges 16% Securing the nation's borders 12% Preparation and training of police, fire and other emergency units 8% Development of emergency responses to biological or chemical weapons attack 33% All of the above (DO NOT READ) 1% Other (DO NOT READ) 1% None (VOL.) (DO NOT READ) 4% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 44. Have you heard of the Homeland Security Advisory System? 45% Yes 54% No 1% Don't know/Not sure/Refused 45. As you may know, the Homeland Security Advisory System is a color-coded scale that is used by government officials to communicate the nature and degree of terrorist threats by assigning a color to the level of that threat. What color or level of threat is the Homeland Security Advisory System currently set at? (DO NOT READ LIST) 17% Yellow = Elevated 4% Green = Low 4% Blue = Guarded 4% Orange = High 3% Red = Severe 1% Other 68% Don't know/Refused 46. Some people who live near nuclear power plants have been offered iodide pills for free, to take in the event of a nuclear incident, to counteract exposure to radiation and reduce their chances of developing certain cancers. Do you support or oppose issuing iodide pills, free of charge, to all state residents? (IF CHOICE, ASK: Would you say you strongly or somewhat support/oppose issuing iodide pills to all state residents?) 40% Strongly support 34% Somewhat support 6% Somewhat oppose 7% Strongly oppose 12% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 47. Some people concerned about a bioterrorist attack using smallpox have suggested that all Metro area residents be immunized against smallpox. Do you support or oppose the immunization of all Metro area residents against smallpox? (IF CHOICE, ASK: Would you say you strongly or somewhat support/oppose?) 42% Strongly support 32% Somewhat support 8% Somewhat oppose 9% Strongly oppose 8% Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) DEMOGRAPHICS I only have a few more questions for statistical purposes only.... 48. What is your age please? Please just stop me when I get to the correct range. 11% 18-24 18% 25-34 25% 35-44 14% 45-54 14% 55-64 17% 65+ 2% Refused 49. What is the last grade of formal education you have completed? Again, just stop me when I get to the correct range. 6% Less than high school 26% High school graduate 20% Some college/vocational school 37% College graduate 10% Post graduate 1% Refused A. Gender 48% Male 52% Female B. State 33% New Jersey (NJ) 62% New York (NY) 5% Connecticut (CT)