By Philip Newman
New Yorkers say the quality of life has declined citywide, although Queens residents give living conditions in their borough the highest marks in the city.
A full 10 percent of Queens residents questioned by Quinnepiac University pollsters described their quality of life as “very good,” just ahead of Manhattan (9 percent), and followed by the Bronx (7 percent), Brooklyn (5 percent) and Staten Island (3 percent).
Among those who rated the quality of city life “fair,” Queens residents came in second at 46 percent behind the Bronx (55 percent) but above Brooklyn (44 percent) Staten Island (42 percent) and Manhattan (39 percent).
Citywide, 46 percent of those polled say crime is what they call a “very serious” problem and another 44 percent say crime is “somewhat serious.” Despite what Queens residents say are very good living conditions, 46 percent believe crime is a “very serious” problem.
“The quality of life in New York City isn’t good and it’s getting worse, many voters think,” said Quinnipiac University Assistant Poll Director Maurice Carroll. “It’s not just newspaper hype about the return of the bad old days, New Yorkers say. Many are seeing more homeless people on the streets and encountering more pan handlers.”
New York City citizens approve by 52 to 36 percent the way Police Commissioner William Bratton has been handling crime, but Mayor Bill De Blasio gets negative approval ratings for his handling of crime with 40 percent supporting him and 52 percent disapproving of his performance. Asked how well the mayor is handling relations between the police department and the community, 38 percent were positive and 56 percent were negative.
In other matters, New York City voters support by 73 percent to 24 percent raising the minimum wage for fast food workers to $15 an hour. Republicans opposed the wage hike by 53 to 45 percent, while Staten Islanders were split 48-47 percent. Those polled by a margin of 58-34 said the wage hike would not bring restaurant shutdowns or loss of jobs.
Residents support by 56 to 34 percent the $5.9 million settlement between the city and the family of Eric Garner.
From July 30 to Aug.4 Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,108 voters throughout New York City.
