People across Salem generally feel safer than they did a few months ago, especially at night, a survey found, reflecting city investments in public safety and cleanliness.  

But more than half of the 400 survey respondents said they still feel unsafe after dark downtown and in north and northeast Salem.  

The survey conducted earlier this month by the city also showed perceptions of livability have increased all across town compared to a similar survey conducted in September. 

Courtney Knox Busch, the city strategic initiatives manager, credited the results to increased city spending for homeless outreach and cleaning teams in a staff report to city council.

Knox Busch also said the survey showed “Nearly all residents continue to feel safest in their own neighborhoods.” 

Salem city councilors will review the results of the survey Monday, Feb. 23.

READ IT: 2026 City of Salem Safety and Livability Survey 

In January, the police and cleaning teams which respond to homeless encampments expanded their work from four to seven days a week, and the Salem Fire Department, in partnership with Marion County, deployed a mental health crisis unit downtown as part of a six-month pilot program. 

The more than $600,000 cost of the pilot program is covered by the city’s general fund and downtown parking revenue. Some private funding also supports the program.  

Those city investments came after business leaders in downtown and in northeast Salem demanded over a series of community meetings that the city do something about perceptions that the city was dirty and unsafe. 

As of the February survey, Salem residents report feeling safer at night in all parts of the city, Knox Busch said in the staff report.

The February survey revisited residents’ opinions of safety and livability from the September survey, and was conducted by the research firm DHM Research. The firm surveyed the 400 Salem residents over the phone and online. 

Respondents were asked to rate different parts of the city based on their perceptions of safety and livability. 

The greatest improvements were recorded in north and northeast Salem.

The overall sense of safety in that part of town at night increased from 26% in September to 34% in February. 

In September, 60% of respondents said they felt unsafe at night in north and northeast Salem, while the February survey showed 53%.

The survey also showed residents’ perceptions that downtown at night was safe improved from 33% in September to 39% in February. The perception of downtown safety during the day remained consistent with 68% saying they feel safe compared to 69% in September.

However, 29% of people said they felt unsafe downtown during the day in February compared to 27% in September.

More people in Salem feel the city is improving in livability.

Downtown Salem had the highest increase, with 39% of people viewing downtown as generally livable. That number was  33% in September. 

However, 55% of respondents still rated downtown livability as generally poor. In September, that number was 58%. 

In north and northeast Salem, the percentage of people who see the area as livable increased from 32% in September to 35% in February, while 56% of respondents said livability is poor, which is up from 54% in September. 

“Insights drawn from the survey and other outreach activities help advance the city council and community conversations about priorities for services,” according to the staff report. 

Contact reporter Joe Siess: [email protected]. 

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