New York City (NYC) Poll * May 8, 2008 * Racial Split As New Yorkers Di - Quinnipiac University

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May 8, 2008 - Racial Split As New Yorkers Disagree With Bell Verdict 2-1, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Police Brutality Is Serious Problem, Most Say

Word format By a 57 - 30 percent margin, New York City voters disagree with the verdict acquitting three police officers of all charges in the death of Sean Bell, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. White voters support the verdict 48 - 34 percent while black voters disagree 89 - 8 percent and Hispanic voters disagree 71 - 21 percent.
The police shooting of Sean Bell is inexcusable, 54 percent of voters say, while 39 percent say it is tragic but understandable. Whites say 57 - 33 percent the shooting is understandable, while blacks say 81 - 15 percent and Hispanics say 66 - 28 percent it is inexcusable.
A total of 67 percent of voters say police brutality is a "very serious" or "somewhat serious" problem in New York City, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. A total of 53 percent of white voters, 89 percent of black voters and 76 percent of Hispanic voters say police brutality is a "very serious" or "somewhat serious" problem.
All voters approve 51 - 43 percent of the way police citywide are doing their job. White voters approve 71 - 23 percent, but black voters disapprove 72 - 22 percent. Looking at police in their community, all voters approve 66 - 30 percent, with whites approving 80 - 16 percent and black voters split 48 - 48 percent.
"There is a substantial racial divide in New York City on the Sean Bell case and the broader issue of police conduct," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Because of overwhelming margins among black voters, the total balance is against the verdict, backed by feeling that this isn't just an understandable mistake, but an inexcusable tragedy."
Race relations in New York City are good, voters say 59 - 32 percent, with white voters agreeing 69 - 23 percent and black voters split 44 - 44 percent. Mayor Michael Bloomberg gets a 68 - 23 percent approval rating, including 55 - 36 percent among black voters, for the way he handles race relations.
But 61 percent of New York City voters say police are tougher on blacks than whites, as 30 percent say police treat everyone the same. White voters say 50 - 39 percent that police are tougher on blacks, and black voters agree 86 - 8 percent, while Hispanics agree 60 - 33 percent.
The racial divide marks several questions about New York City police, as voters say:
45 - 38 percent that police are not adequately prepared for undercover assignments; 51 - 40 percent that police are not adequately trained in the use of firearms; 43 - 36 percent that the Queens District Attorney's office did all it could to prosecute the Bell case.
There is agreement among blacks and whites as voters say 72 - 18 percent that the officers involved in the Bell shooting should be disciplined by the Police Department. And voters agree 64 - 28 percent that such cases should be handled by a special prosecutor, not the regular district attorneys' offices.
Black and white voters also agree 68 - 26 percent that critics of the Bell verdict should conduct public protests, with white voters agreeing 55 - 35 percent; black voters agreeing 85 - 13 percent and Hispanic voters agreeing 73 - 23 percent.
"Black and white alike, New Yorkers think police are tougher on black New Yorkers than on whites," Carroll said.
"The training for undercover cops is inadequate, according to a plurality of voters and half of all New Yorkers think police are not properly trained on when to shoot their guns.
"Critics of the Bell verdict are right to protest, two thirds of New Yorkers - and an overwhelming majority of black voters - think."
From April 30 - May 5, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,790 New York City registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.3 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and nationwide as a public service and for research. For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ray Kelly is handling his job as Police Commissioner?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 59% 78% 55% 64% 76% 36% 55% Disapprove 30 16 32 28 13 55 38 DK/NA 11 6 13 8 11 9 7 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 54% 56% 62% 59% 69% 62% 56% Disapprove 39 32 27 28 24 30 31 DK/NA 7 12 11 13 7 8 13
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ray Kelly is handling his job as Police Commissioner? * 70% on 2/3/06
Highest Lowest Approve Approve May 7&8 Mar 13 Jan 9 Nov 19 Aug 29 Mar 9 Jan 16 2008 2008 2008 2007 2007 2006 * 2007 Approve 59 62 60 55 62 70 52 Disapprove 30 28 23 30 25 17 34 DK/NA 11 10 16 16 13 13 14
9. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York City today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Very satisfied 8% 14% 7% 7% 13% 3% 5% Smwht satisfied 47 48 48 52 56 39 41 Smwht dissatisfied 28 22 29 25 22 32 32 Very dissatisfied 16 16 16 15 8 26 22 DK/NA - - - - - 1 - Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very satisfied 5% 7% 14% 7% 9% 9% 7% Smwht satisfied 39 46 51 50 53 49 46 Smwht dissatisfied 32 32 24 24 25 26 29 Very dissatisfied 24 15 10 19 14 15 17 DK/NA - - 1 - - - -
TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York City today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
May 8 Nov 19 Jul 25 Jul 12 Apr 12 Mar 8 Feb 2 2008 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 2006 Very satisfied 8 12 10 16 12 14 13 Smwht satisfied 47 53 54 51 56 54 59 Smwht dissatisfied 28 22 23 22 22 20 19 Very dissatisfied 16 11 12 10 9 12 7 DK/NA - 2 1 1 1 1 1
10. Do you think race relations in New York City today are generally good or generally bad?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Good 59% 68% 56% 66% 69% 44% 56% Bad 32 24 36 24 23 44 38 DK/NA 9 8 8 10 9 12 6 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Good 50% 58% 63% 58% 71% 67% 53% Bad 39 33 28 31 24 24 37 DK/NA 10 8 9 11 5 8 10
TREND: Do you think race relations in New York City today are generally good or generally bad? (* = All adults)
May 8 Jan 16 Jun 15 Apr 19 Apr 8 Jul 21 Jun 28 2008 2007 2000 2000 1999 1994* 1994* Good 59 57 37 30 35 32 27 Bad 32 31 55 63 53 61 63 DK/NA 9 12 9 7 12 7 10
11. Do you think race relations in New York City are getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Better 25% 27% 24% 29% 28% 20% 23% Worse 18 17 18 16 12 25 24 Same 55 53 57 54 58 53 53 DK/NA 2 3 2 1 2 2 - Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Better 20% 23% 28% 26% 30% 29% 22% Worse 23 21 14 17 12 15 20 Same 56 53 56 56 57 55 56 DK/NA - 3 2 2 1 2 2
TREND: Do you think race relations in New York City are getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? (* = All adults)
May 8 Jan 16 Jun 15 Apr 19 Apr 8 Jul 21 2008 2007 2000 2000 1999 1994* Better 25 25 18 14 19 16 Worse 18 14 28 45 34 30 Same 55 58 53 40 44 51 DK/NA 2 3 1 1 3 4
12. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mayor Bloomberg is handling relations between blacks and whites?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 68% 74% 67% 73% 78% 55% 63% Disapprove 23 18 24 17 12 36 31 DK/NA 10 8 9 10 10 9 7 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 60% 62% 75% 70% 78% 74% 63% Disapprove 32 26 17 21 13 20 25 DK/NA 8 12 8 9 9 6 12
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way -- is handling relations between blacks and whites?
MAYOR MAYOR BLOOMBERG..... GIULIANI.............................. May 8 Jan 16 Aug 2 Jun 14 Apr 19 May 19 Apr 8 2008 2007 2000 2000 2000 1999 1999 Approve 68 64 26 21 20 26 24 Disapprove 23 21 63 68 73 65 65 DK/NA 10 15 11 11 7 9 11
13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mayor Bloomberg is handling crime?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 72% 75% 70% 81% 85% 57% 63% Disapprove 21 20 23 16 10 33 32 DK/NA 6 4 6 4 5 10 5 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 65% 71% 79% 72% 77% 78% 68% Disapprove 30 22 15 22 20 19 23 DK/NA 6 8 6 6 3 3 8
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling crime?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve May 8 Mar 15 Jan 16 Oct 22 Sep 9 Jan 16 May 7 2008 2007 2007 2003 2003 2007 2003 Approve 72 71 75 61 60 75 57 Disapprove 21 21 17 28 29 17 31 DK/NA 6 7 7 11 10 7 12
14. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the New York City police are doing their job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 51% 72% 46% 58% 71% 22% 46% Disapprove 43 24 48 38 23 72 48 DK/NA 6 4 6 4 6 6 7 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 45% 46% 55% 52% 72% 54% 49% Disapprove 49 48 38 41 26 41 44 DK/NA 6 6 7 7 3 5 7
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the New York City police are doing their job?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve May 8 Mar 13 Mar 15 Jan 16 Apr 13 Feb 7 Apr 20 2008 2008 2007 2007 2006 2002 2000 Approve 51 60 60 53 72 76 43 Disapprove 43 33 33 40 20 18 48 DK/NA 6 7 6 8 8 6 9
15. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the police in your community are doing their job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 66% 79% 63% 70% 80% 48% 61% Disapprove 30 18 33 27 16 48 36 DK/NA 4 3 4 2 4 4 3 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 60% 62% 68% 69% 80% 67% 65% Disapprove 39 34 27 28 16 30 31 DK/NA 1 4 5 3 4 3 4
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the police in your community are doing their job? * - also 65% on 10/02/1997
Highest Lowest Approve Approve May 8 Mar 15 Jan 16 Apr 13 Jun 23 Feb 7 Apr 20 2008 2007 2007 2006 2005 2002 2000 * Approve 66 68 67 75 73 79 65 Disapprove 30 27 29 20 23 18 28 DK/NA 4 5 5 6 4 3 6
16. Do you generally think of the police more as friends, more as enemies, or don't you think of them in either of these ways?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Friends 34% 47% 31% 35% 43% 18% 35% Enemies 11 7 13 8 5 20 13 Neither 53 44 54 57 51 58 50 DK/NA 2 3 2 1 2 3 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Friends 31% 33% 34% 32% 49% 36% 32% Enemies 15 12 11 9 5 12 10 Neither 53 51 52 58 46 50 55 DK/NA 1 4 3 1 - 2 3
TREND: Do you generally think of the police more as friends, more as enemies, or don't you think of them in either of these ways?
May 8 Jan 16 Apr 13 Jun 23 Jul 3 Feb 7 Apr 20 2008 2007 2006 2005 2003 2002 2000 Friends 34 36 45 42 41 47 32 Enemies 11 9 7 7 7 4 10 Neither 53 53 46 48 49 46 56 DK/NA 2 2 2 3 4 2 2
17. Do you think the New York City Police are adequately prepared to handle undercover assignments?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 38% 56% 33% 40% 46% 21% 40% No 45 28 50 42 32 65 50 DK/NA 17 17 17 18 23 14 10 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 32% 37% 36% 40% 56% 42% 34% No 55 46 40 45 34 40 49 DK/NA 13 17 24 15 9 18 17
18. Do you think the New York City Police are adequately trained on the use of guns?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 40% 62% 33% 48% 52% 23% 36% No 51 31 58 43 35 72 56 DK/NA 9 7 9 9 13 5 8 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 35% 39% 38% 40% 67% 46% 36% No 58 52 48 52 27 46 54 DK/NA 7 9 14 9 6 9 10
19. In general, how serious a problem do you think crime is in New York City? A very serious problem, somewhat serious, not very serious, or not a problem at
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Very serious 29% 26% 31% 23% 16% 45% 39% Smwht serious 53 54 52 56 62 46 46 Not very serious 15 17 14 18 19 6 13 Not a problem at all 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 - Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very serious 41% 31% 23% 25% 26% 24% 33% Smwht serious 49 53 52 58 57 52 54 Not very serious 8 14 21 14 13 21 10 Not a problem at all - 2 3 1 2 2 1 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
TREND: In general, how serious a problem do you think crime is in New York City? A very serious problem, somewhat serious, not very serious, or not a problem at all?
May 8 Jan 16 Jul 3 Feb 7 Feb 1 Apr 8 2008 2007 2003 2002 2001 1999 Very serious 29 31 40 33 36 35 Smwht serious 53 53 45 51 52 51 Not very serious 15 14 12 13 11 11 Not a problem at all 2 1 2 2 1 2 DK/NA 1 2 2 1 1 1
20. In general, do you think New York City is about as safe as other big cities, less safe, or more safe?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp About as safe 42% 40% 43% 41% 40% 49% 37% Less safe 13 13 13 11 5 23 20 More safe 43 44 42 46 53 25 41 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 2 4 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom About as safe 47% 44% 36% 43% 44% 35% 48% Less safe 22 15 6 11 9 11 14 More safe 30 38 55 43 47 52 36 DK/NA 1 3 3 3 - 2 3
TREND: In general, do you think New York City is about as safe as other big cities, less safe, or more safe? (* = All Adults)
Mar Mar May 8 Jan 16 Jul 20 Sep 10 Apr 10 22-23 18-19 2008 2007 2005 2003 2003* 2003* 2003* As Safe 42 42 44 53 37 39 38 Less Safe 13 13 16 16 28 25 34 More Safe 43 41 36 28 32 33 24 DK/NA 2 3 4 3 3 3 5
21. Is being the victim of a crime something you personally worry about or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 44% 42% 47% 36% 36% 52% 52% No 54 57 52 61 63 47 46 DK/NA 1 1 1 3 1 1 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 51% 46% 43% 41% 35% 38% 49% No 49 51 56 58 65 60 50 DK/NA - 2 1 1 - 2 1
TREND: Is being the victim of a crime something you personally worry about or not?
May 8 Jan 16 Apr 13 Jun 23 Jul 3 Feb 7 May 3 2008 2007 2006 2005 2003 2002 2001 Yes 44 49 44 46 56 46 47 No 54 50 54 53 42 54 53 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 - -
22. How have the policies of the Bloomberg administration affected the amount of crime in New York City? Have they caused crime to increase, decrease or haven't the policies of the Bloomberg administration made much difference in the amount of crime?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Increase 8% 13% 8% 8% 5% 10% 14% Decrease 42 37 43 45 40 41 43 No difference 44 47 43 44 49 44 39 DK/NA 5 3 6 4 6 5 4 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Increase 11% 10% 5% 7% 10% 8% 9% Decrease 50 36 44 42 44 45 40 No difference 34 49 45 45 41 44 45 DK/NA 5 6 5 5 5 4 6
TREND: How have the policies of the Bloomberg administration affected the amount of crime in New York City? Have they caused crime to increase, decrease or haven't the policies of the Bloomberg administration made much difference in the amount of crime?
May 8 Jan 16 2008 2007 Increase 8 9 Decrease 42 35 No difference 44 49 DK/NA 5 6
23. Do you think the police in New York City are generally tougher on whites than on blacks, or tougher on blacks than on whites, or do the police treat them both the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Tougher on whites 1% 2% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% Tougher on blacks 61 31 71 51 50 86 60 Treat them the same 30 60 23 35 39 8 33 DK/NA 8 7 6 13 9 6 7 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Tougher on whites - 1% 1% 1% 2% 1% 1% Tougher on blacks 61 64 68 57 30 61 61 Treat them the same 31 27 22 34 59 32 29 DK/NA 7 7 9 8 10 7 9
TREND: Do you think the police in New York City are generally tougher on whites than on blacks, or tougher on blacks than on whites, or do the police treat them both the same?
May 8 Jan 16 Jun 23 Jul 3 Feb 7 May 3 Feb 1 2008 2007 2005 2003 2002 2001 2001 Tougher on whites 1 2 1 - - - 1 Tougher of blacks 61 59 56 58 54 65 60 Treat them the same 30 30 34 33 36 26 29 DK/NA 8 10 10 9 9 9 10
24. Do you think the police in your community are generally tougher on whites than on blacks, or tougher on blacks than on whites, or do the police treat them both the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Tougher on whites 1% 1% - 1% 1% - - Tougher on blacks 44 23 51 36 31 67 43 Treat them the same 44 70 38 50 54 24 46 DK/NA 12 6 11 13 14 9 10 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Tougher on whites 1% - - 1% 3% 1% 1% Tougher on blacks 47 48 47 37 25 44 43 Treat them the same 41 42 39 50 64 45 44 DK/NA 12 10 14 13 8 10 12
TREND: Do you think the police in your community are generally tougher on whites than on blacks, or tougher on blacks than on whites, or do the police treat them both the same?
May 8 Jan 16 Jun 23 Jul 3 Feb 7 May 3 Feb 1 2008 2007 2005 2003 2002 2001 2001 Tougher on whites 1 3 1 1 1 1 - Tougher of blacks 44 43 40 42 38 44 41 Treat them the same 44 43 46 48 50 40 44 DK/NA 12 11 13 10 11 16 15
25. How serious a problem do you think police brutality is in New York City? A very serious problem, somewhat serious, not very serious, or not a problem at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Very serious 32% 17% 37% 25% 13% 59% 37% Smwht serious 35 22 39 34 40 30 39 Not very serious 23 38 18 29 33 8 16 Not a problem at all 8 21 5 9 11 1 6 DK/NA 2 2 2 3 3 1 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very serious 47% 34% 28% 28% 15% 28% 35% Smwht serious 32 35 37 39 28 33 37 Not very serious 16 22 25 23 38 27 20 Not a problem at all 4 7 7 9 17 11 5 DK/NA 1 2 3 2 2 1 3
TREND: How serious a problem do you think police brutality is in New York City? A very serious problem, somewhat serious, not very serious, or not a problem at all?
May 8 Jan 16 Jun 23 Jul 3 Feb 7 May 3 Feb 1 2008 2007 2005 2003 2002 2001 2001 Very serious 32 32 21 32 27 41 39 Smwht serious 35 36 40 38 41 37 40 Not very serious 23 21 26 19 20 14 14 Not a problem at all 8 7 9 7 9 5 5 DK/NA 2 3 3 4 4 2 2
26. Is being the victim of police brutality something you personally worry about or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 26% 19% 28% 20% 8% 45% 36% No 74 80 71 80 91 54 64 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 1 1 - Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 31% 28% 21% 27% 14% 30% 23% No 69 71 79 72 85 70 77 DK/NA - - 1 1 1 - 1
TREND: Is being the victim of police brutality something you personally worry about or not?
May 8 Jan 16 Jun 23 Jul 3 Feb 7 May 3 Feb 1 2008 2007 2005 2003 2002 2001 2001 Yes 26 27 23 28 24 28 29 No 74 73 76 71 75 71 70 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 - 1
27. How have the policies of the Bloomberg administration affected the amount of police brutality in New York City? Have they caused police brutality to increase, decrease or haven't the policies of the Bloomberg administration made much difference in the amount of police brutality?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Increase 12% 10% 14% 8% 5% 19% 16% Decrease 19 21 18 22 21 15 16 No difference 62 62 61 63 65 59 64 DK/NA 7 7 8 6 10 6 4 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Increase 13% 16% 8% 11% 4% 11% 12% Decrease 19 18 23 14 26 21 17 No difference 60 58 61 68 64 61 63 DK/NA 7 9 8 6 6 7 8
TREND: How have the policies of the Bloomberg administration affected the amount of police brutality in New York City? Have they caused police brutality to increase, decrease or haven't the policies of the Bloomberg administration made much difference in the amount of police brutality?
May 8 Jan 16 2008 2007 Increase 12 12 Decrease 19 16 No difference 62 63 DK/NA 7 10
28. How closely have you been following the case of Sean Bell, the young black man who was shot and killed by police officers after leaving a night club in November 2006? Would you say you have been following it very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Very closely 36% 36% 37% 33% 28% 52% 39% Smwht closely 48 45 49 52 53 40 45 Not too closely 12 16 12 12 15 6 13 Not at all 3 4 3 3 3 2 3 DK/NA 1 - - - 1 1 1 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very closely 41% 38% 31% 37% 29% 36% 36% Smwht closely 45 46 51 48 56 49 47 Not too closely 11 12 14 13 12 12 12 Not at all 3 4 3 3 1 3 4 DK/NA 1 1 - - 2 1 1
TREND: How closely have you been following the case of Sean Bell, the young black man who was shot and killed by police officers after leaving a night club in November 2006?* Would you say you have been following it very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all? * ...last November?
May 8 Mar 15 Jan 16 2008 2007* 2007* Very closely 36 33 31 Smwht closely 48 44 44 Not too closely 12 18 19 Not at all 3 4 6 DK/NA 1 1 -
29. Do you approve or disapprove of Mayor Bloomberg's public response to this incident?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 48% 50% 47% 53% 56% 40% 39% Disapprove 33 33 35 29 23 46 42 DK/NA 19 17 18 17 21 14 19 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 41% 47% 54% 46% 55% 52% 45% Disapprove 40 35 26 35 30 33 33 DK/NA 19 18 20 19 15 15 22
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of Mayor Bloomberg's public response to this incident?
May 8 Mar 15 Jan 16 2008 2007 2007 Approve 48 50 54 Disapprove 33 32 31 DK/NA 19 18 16
30. From what you know about the police shooting of Sean Bell, which statement comes closer to your opinion? It was a tragic thing, and there is absolutely no excuse for how the police acted, or It was a tragic thing, but it is understandable that the police could have acted this way?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Tragic/no excuse 54% 23% 63% 43% 33% 81% 66% Tragic/understandable 39 69 30 48 57 15 28 DK/NA 7 7 7 8 11 4 6 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Tragic/no excuse 70% 54% 53% 51% 23% 50% 57% Tragic/understandable 26 39 36 43 65 43 35 DK/NA 4 7 11 6 12 7 8
TREND: From what you know about the police shooting of Sean Bell, which statement comes closer to your opinion? It was a tragic thing, and there is absolutely no excuse for how the police acted. Or It was a tragic thing, but it is understandable that the police could have acted this way.
May 8 Mar 15 Jan 16 2008 2007 2007 Tragic/no excuse 54 57 58 Tragic/understandable 39 32 30 DK/NA 7 11 12
31. As you may know, the police officers involved in the Bell case were acquitted of all criminal charges. Do you agree or disagree with this verdict?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Agree 30% 55% 24% 38% 48% 8% 21% Disagree 57 29 65 50 34 89 71 DK/NA 12 16 11 12 17 4 8 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Agree 21% 28% 29% 34% 59% 34% 28% Disagree 71 60 57 55 27 54 60 DK/NA 8 13 15 12 14 12 12
32. Do you think cases like the Bell case should be handled by regular district attorneys' offices or should there be a special prosecutor for cases like this involving police?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Regular DA 28% 45% 23% 34% 42% 13% 18% Special prosecutor 64 48 70 59 48 83 78 DK/NA 8 8 7 7 11 4 4 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Regular DA 20% 26% 31% 28% 45% 32% 25% Special prosecutor 73 66 58 65 49 61 67 DK/NA 7 8 11 7 6 8 8
33. Do you think the Queens District attorney's office did all it could to win the case?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 43% 58% 38% 53% 55% 25% 38% No 36 27 41 28 20 62 44 DK/NA 21 15 21 19 25 13 18 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 38% 39% 41% 46% 70% 47% 40% No 44 39 36 35 14 35 38 DK/NA 18 22 23 20 16 18 22
34. Do you think the police officers involved in the Bell case should or should not be disciplined by the police department?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Should 72% 48% 77% 72% 58% 91% 80% Should NOT 18 36 14 18 27 6 15 DK/NA 10 16 9 11 15 3 5 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Should 81% 72% 74% 71% 49% 69% 75% Should NOT 13 18 15 18 36 20 16 DK/NA 6 10 11 11 15 11 9
35. Do you think critics of the Bell verdict should or should not conduct public protests?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Should 68% 44% 73% 65% 55% 85% 73% Should NOT 26 50 20 30 35 13 23 DK/NA 7 6 7 5 9 3 5 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Should 71% 70% 71% 64% 49% 68% 67% Should NOT 24 24 19 32 42 26 26 DK/NA 5 7 10 4 8 6 7