Mayor, BPD announces findings from Foot Patrol Survey
Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon and the Buffalo Police Department today announced the initial findings from Phase 1 of the Buffalo Police Department’s Foot Patrol Integration Unit (FPIU) Public Survey. The citywide survey results demonstrate strong community support for the FPIU’s mission to strengthen relationships between officers and residents, improve communication, and promote safer, more connected neighborhoods.
Launched earlier this year, the Foot Patrol Integration Unit is assigned to walk beats in every police district. The program represents a modern, community-focused approach to public safety that prioritizes visibility, prevention, and collaboration with residents and neighborhood organizations.
Developed in partnership with Professors Jacob Neiheisel and Ryan Muldoon from the University at Buffalo and Professor Jake Monaghan from the University of Southern California, the survey collected more than 3,000 responses from residents across the city. Participants were asked about their perceptions of safety, top neighborhood concerns, and how the presence of foot patrol officers has influenced their sense of trust in law enforcement.
Since its launch, Foot Patrol Integration Unit officers have walked every street in the city—connecting directly with residents, businesses, and community organizations in every neighborhood.
“Earlier this year—right here outside the Broadway Market—we launched the Foot Patrol Integration Unit with one simple goal: strengthen the connection between officers and the people they serve,” said Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon. “These initial findings give us a clearer picture of what matters most to people in every neighborhood—whether it’s traffic issues, car thefts, or problem houses—and help us make data-driven decisions about where to focus our efforts. This is how we bridge the gap between policy makers and policy takers—by ensuring that the feedback from our residents directly informs how we shape public safety policy and community priorities.”
Key Findings:
3,055 total resident responses citywide show strong engagement across all police districts.
Residents identified car thefts and break-ins, traffic speeding, problem houses, ATVs/dirt bikes, and gun violence as the top five concerns across the city.
Nearly two-thirds of responses reflected positive or neutral attitudes toward the FPIU and its approach to community policing.
“Traffic and speeding” emerged as the most common theme citywide, appearing in nearly one out of every five responses.
“These results validate what many of our officers hear on the ground every day— residents want to see us out walking, talking, and working alongside them to solve problems,” said Buffalo Police Deputy Commissioner Patrick Overdorf. “This feedback helps us better align our work with community priorities and strengthens our ability to respond to quality-of-life concerns.”
In reviewing the survey data, Mayor Scanlon and the Buffalo Police Department underscored that “traffic and speeding” was among the most frequently cited concerns, appearing in nearly one out of every five responses.