Crime was a top concern of central Maryland residents in a new survey that sponsors hope will be the first of an annual assessment of voters’ concerns. Photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Cortez/U.S. Marine Corps
Crime and drugs are the most important issues facing the region, according to 41% of central Maryland residents, while another 35% think the economy and the job market should be the top concern of state and local governments.
Those are among the findings of “The Pulse,” a wide-ranging survey of residents of Baltimore City and six surrounding counties, the first of what its sponsors hope will become an annual report gauging the attitude and perspectives in the region.
The first iteration, released Tuesday by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, gathered opinions on policy topics ranging from transportation and the economy to housing costs and grocery prices.
“In addition to seeing the changes in public policy, we’re going to start tracking how public perception lines up with … what census and on-the-ground data tells us and try to incorporate that into our planning,” said Michael Kelly, executive director of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council.