June 14, 2012 - Fire School Workers Who Touch Kids, 92% Of New Yorkers Tell Quinnipiac University Poll; Big Racial Gap As Voters Oppose Stop & Frisk Word format New York City voters say 92 - 6 percent, including 91 - 8 percent among public school parents, that school officials should have the power to fire any school employee convicted of improperly touching a student, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Support is over 90 percent among almost every group. School officials should have the power to immediately remove from student contact any employee accused of touching a student, voters tell the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe- ack) University poll 82 - 14 percent. Again, there is strong support from all groups. New York City voters have a 44 - 25 percent favorable opinion of public school teachers, including 50 - 24 percent among parents of public school students. Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott gets a 37 - 35 percent job approval rating. There is a 30-point racial gap as New York City voters overall oppose stop and frisk 51 - 43 percent. White voters support the practice 56 - 39 percent while black voters oppose it 69 - 21 percent. Hispanic voters also are opposed 51 - 42 percent. This compares to 49 - 46 percent opposition March 13. "When it comes to protecting their kids, New Yorkers want quick and simple solutions: If a school worker is accused of touching a student in the wrong way, get that worker away from kids. If a school worker is convicted of touching a student, give him or her the ax. Forget the arbitration and the rubber room; get the offender out the door," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Stop and frisk is a very divisive issue between black and white voters, but a bare majority disapproves." New York City voters approve 61 - 26 percent of the job Police Commissioner Ray Kelly is doing, compared to 66 - 23 percent May 10. Voters approve 59 - 32 percent of the job New York City police are doing, compared to 63 - 31 percent last month. Possession of small amounts of marijuana in public view should be decriminalized, voters say 59 - 36 percent. White voters, 66 - 30 percent, are stronger in support of decriminalization than black voters, 58 - 35 percent, or Hispanic voters, split at 50 - 48 percent. "Dropping those minor arrests for pot possession is a good idea, voters think," Carroll said. "Overall, voters still think the police, and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, are doing a good job." New York City voters are divided on whether they want an Atlantic City type casino in the city, with 46 percent in favor and 43 percent opposed. Men support the idea 54 - 37 percent while women are opposed 48 - 38 percent. Black voters support it 56 - 28 percent while white voters split 46 - 46 percent and Hispanic voters split 42 - 42 percent. Among those who want a New York City casino: 24 percent say put it in Manhattan; 24 percent pick Queens; 16 percent say go to Brooklyn; 13 percent want it in Staten Island; 11 percent say The Bronx is the place. New York City voters support a "Living Wage" bill 76 - 18 percent, including 56 - 39 percent among Republicans. Support is stronger among all other groups. Voters reject 50 - 42 percent the argument that a "Living Wage" bill will cause local businesses to reduce the number of people they hire. "New Yorkers are lukewarm, at best, about building a big casino in the city," Carroll said. "Some are against casinos and some are against a casino here." From June 6 - 11, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,093 New York City voters with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia and the nation as a public service and for research. For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter. 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ray Kelly is handling his job as Police Commissioner? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 61% 85% 58% 60% 67% 56% 78% 44% 56% Disapprove 26 8 29 27 24 28 14 41 28 DK/NA 13 7 13 13 9 17 8 15 16 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS............ Yes No 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Approve 64% 58% 49% 65% 63% 71% Disapprove 25 27 34 21 28 20 DK/NA 11 15 17 14 10 9 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Approve 57% 61% 60% 64% 67% Disapprove 31 24 26 25 22 DK/NA 11 15 13 11 11 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ray Kelly is handling his job as Police Commissioner? APPROVE....... High Low Jun 14 May 10 Mar 13 Feb 09 Dec 14 May 12 Jan 16 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011 2011 2007 Approve 61 66 64 62 66 71 52 Disapprove 26 23 25 24 24 17 34 DK/NA 13 10 11 14 11 13 14 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Dennis Walcott is handling his job as New York City Schools Chancellor? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 37% 35% 39% 34% 39% 35% 35% 44% 34% Disapprove 35 31 36 36 32 38 32 32 43 DK/NA 28 34 25 30 28 28 33 24 23 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS............ Yes No 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Approve 36% 38% 34% 41% 37% 38% Disapprove 35 37 42 35 39 27 DK/NA 29 26 23 24 24 35 Union HAVE KIDS...... Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl HsHlds <18 InPubSch Approve 35% 31% 37% 42% 44% 30% 41% 41% Disapprove 38 38 28 37 36 43 33 41 DK/NA 27 30 34 21 20 26 26 18 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Dennis Walcott is handling his job as New York City Schools Chancellor? APPROVE....... High Low Jun 14 May 10 Mar 14 Feb 08 Dec 14 Mar 14 May 11 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011 2012 2011 Approve 37 39 43 34 33 43 31 Disapprove 35 34 31 37 34 31 21 DK/NA 28 27 26 29 33 26 48 13. As you may know, the New York City Council passed a bill for a so called "living wage". Under the bill, large businesses that benefit from taxpayer subsidies would be required to pay employees at least $10 an hour with benefits, or $11.50 an hour without benefits. Do you think the living wage is a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Good idea 76% 56% 84% 71% 75% 78% 71% 83% 83% Bad idea 18 39 13 21 21 16 22 14 13 DK/NA 5 4 3 8 4 7 7 4 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INC AGE IN YEARS............ Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Good idea 77% 75% 76% 81% 73% 80% 75% 76% 71% Bad idea 17 20 18 15 23 15 22 19 21 DK/NA 5 5 7 4 4 5 3 5 8 TREND: As you may know, the New York City Council passed a bill for a so called "living wage". Under the bill, large businesses that benefit from taxpayer subsidies would be required to pay employees at least $10 an hour with benefits, or $11.50 an hour without benefits. Do you think the living wage is a good idea or a bad idea? (* "As you may know, there is a proposal in the New York City Council") Jun 14 May 11 Dec 14 2012 2012 2011* Good idea 76 74 74 Bad idea 18 18 19 DK/NA 5 7 7 14. Do you think that a living wage law will cause businesses in New York City to reduce the number of people they hire, or don't you think so? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 42% 64% 36% 46% 41% 43% 43% 38% 40% No 50 30 56 48 51 48 48 55 49 DK/NA 8 6 8 6 8 9 8 6 11 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INC AGE IN YEARS............ Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Yes 40% 45% 45% 35% 44% 49% 39% 40% 40% No 53 45 47 58 50 46 54 52 47 DK/NA 7 10 9 8 5 4 7 7 12 15. Do you support or oppose the creation of a non-indian casino in New York City, similar to those in Atlantic City and Las Vegas? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 46% 54% 44% 47% 54% 38% 46% 56% 42% Oppose 43 40 44 41 37 48 46 28 42 DK/NA 12 5 12 12 10 14 7 16 16 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS............ Yes No 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Support 42% 50% 48% 51% 44% 43% Oppose 46 38 41 39 44 45 DK/NA 12 12 12 10 11 12 Union HAVE KIDS...... Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl HsHlds <18 InPubSch Support 50% 42% 38% 52% 56% 51% 43% 41% Oppose 37 47 50 36 35 35 45 47 DK/NA 14 11 12 12 10 14 12 12 16. (If support casino in NYC q15) In which New York City borough would you want to see a casino built: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, or Staten Island? SUPPORT CASINO Q15 Tot Men Wom Manhattan 24% 25% 24% Queens 24 27 21 Brooklyn 16 14 18 Bronx 11 10 12 Staten Island 13 12 15 DK/NA 12 12 11 17. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the New York City police are doing their job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 59% 86% 54% 65% 65% 53% 76% 37% 51% Disapprove 32 13 37 28 27 36 19 54 34 DK/NA 9 1 9 7 7 11 5 10 15 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS............ Yes No 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Approve 63% 54% 53% 59% 62% 67% Disapprove 28 37 40 33 29 24 DK/NA 9 9 7 8 10 9 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Approve 50% 60% 59% 64% 66% Disapprove 40 33 31 25 31 DK/NA 11 7 10 12 3 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the New York City police are doing their job? APPROVE....... High Low Jun 14 Mar 13 Feb 09 Dec 14 Oct 17 Feb 7 Apr 20 2012 2012 2012 2011 2011 2002 2000 Approve 59 63 62 62 61 76 43 Disapprove 32 31 30 33 33 18 48 DK/NA 9 6 8 4 6 6 9 18. As you may know, there is a police practice known as stop and frisk, where police stop and question a person they suspect of wrongdoing and, if necessary, search that person. Do you approve or disapprove of this police practice? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 43% 78% 33% 50% 50% 36% 56% 21% 42% Disapprove 51 22 60 45 47 54 39 69 51 DK/NA 6 1 7 4 3 9 4 10 7 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS............ Yes No 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Approve 42% 45% 40% 39% 45% 48% Disapprove 53 47 55 56 50 44 DK/NA 5 8 5 5 6 8 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Approve 41% 42% 33% 49% 66% Disapprove 47 51 59 48 33 DK/NA 12 7 7 3 1 TREND: As you may know, there is a police practice known as stop and frisk, where police stop and question a person they suspect of wrongdoing and, if necessary, search that person. Do you approve or disapprove of this police practice? Jun 14 Mar 13 2012 2012 Approve 43 46 Disapprove 51 49 DK/NA 6 5 19. Do you think the possession of small amounts of marijuana in public view should be decriminalized in New York state, or don't you think so? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Decriminalize 59% 52% 62% 62% 62% 55% 66% 58% 50% No 36 46 35 31 33 39 30 35 48 DK/NA 5 3 3 7 5 6 4 7 2 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS............ Yes No 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Yes/Decriminalize 64% 52% 62% 64% 58% 54% No 30 44 35 32 37 37 DK/NA 6 4 3 4 5 8 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Yes/Decriminalize 45% 62% 66% 55% 58% No 49 32 27 41 39 DK/NA 6 6 6 4 4 20. Is your opinion of New York City's public school teachers favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about them? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Favorable 44% 41% 49% 39% 47% 41% 47% 46% 37% Unfavorable 25 36 20 31 24 26 23 23 26 Hvn't hrd enough 25 21 26 24 24 27 26 27 28 REFUSED 5 2 5 6 5 6 4 4 8 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS............ Yes No 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Favorable 51% 35% 48% 44% 46% 39% Unfavorable 25 25 25 28 25 23 Hvn't hrd enough 19 34 24 25 21 32 REFUSED 5 6 3 2 8 6 Union HAVE KIDS...... Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl HsHlds <18 InPubSch Favorable 41% 45% 41% 47% 53% 57% 45% 50% Unfavorable 25 21 25 30 29 20 27 24 Hvn't hrd enough 25 29 29 19 14 16 24 22 REFUSED 9 5 6 4 3 7 4 4 TREND: Is your opinion of New York City's public school teachers favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about them? Jun 14 May 10 Mar 14 Feb 08 May 11 Mar 18 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011 2011 Favorable 44 51 50 47 53 54 Unfavorable 25 20 21 22 18 17 Hvn't hrd enough 25 27 24 26 26 25 REFUSED 5 3 5 5 3 4 21. If a school employee is accused of improperly touching a student, do you think New York City school officials should have the power to immediately remove that employee from contact with any student or don't you think they should be able to do that? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Shld have power 82% 82% 81% 84% 78% 85% 78% 85% 87% No/Should not 14 12 15 10 16 12 17 10 11 DK/NA 5 5 4 6 6 4 5 5 2 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS............ Yes No 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Yes/Shld have power 80% 85% 85% 85% 83% 74% No/Should not 14 13 14 11 11 18 DK/NA 6 3 1 4 5 8 Union HAVE KIDS...... Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl HsHlds <18 InPubSch Yes/Shld have power 87% 80% 78% 82% 86% 80% 83% 80% No/Should not 12 14 15 14 10 14 12 14 DK/NA 1 6 7 5 5 6 5 6 22. Do you think New York City school officials should have the power to fire any school employee convicted of improperly touching a student, or don't you think they should be able to do that? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Able to fire 92% 93% 91% 93% 92% 91% 93% 91% 94% No/Should not 6 6 7 5 6 6 5 7 5 DK/NA 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS............ Yes No 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Yes/Able to fire 93% 91% 95% 95% 93% 86% No/Should not 5 8 5 5 4 11 DK/NA 2 2 - - 2 4 Union HAVE KIDS...... Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl HsHlds <18 InPubSch Yes/Able to fire 91% 91% 93% 91% 91% 93% 94% 91% No/Should not 7 8 3 7 8 5 6 8 DK/NA 3 1 4 1 1 2 1 1 Demographic Summary
