When it Comes to Protection, Serbian Citizens Rely on Themselves

Serbian citizens rely primarily on themselves when it comes to protection of personal and the safety of their family – shows the second part of BCSP's public opinion polls “Citizens of Serbia on Security”. Of all security sector institutions, the best rated is the Army of Serbia and the worst rated is the Judiciary.

Citizens said that the main reason why they feel secure is because “they live normally and respect law and order”.

Although citizens do not perceive Serbian Police as the institution which contributes significantly to their sense of security, more citizens are satisfied than dissatisfied with its work.

“Police should develop special activities which will increase citizens trust in this institution. Approximately one-fifth of citizens are not ready to approach the police to ask for help. They also pointed out that main objections to police performance are corruption and inefficiency, and that it is often under the influence of political parties”, said BCSP Director Sonja Stojanovic Gajic.

She concluded that security sector institutions, especially Police, have to work more on reformation, and on that way to become a service for the citizens and recognized as a reliable protector of security.

„Army is still perceived as an abstract phenomenon and there are many idealized notions of it in the general public. On the other side, majority of citizens consider that the Army is not well equipped, and that it is not large enough“, emphasized the BCSP President of the Executive Board Miroslav Hadzic.

He also pointed out that not small number of respondents consider that previous government didn’t improved the work of the Police, the Army and the Security Services, and that majority of people don’t expect the current government to improve the situation in security sector.

Data was collected by survey of attitudes of 1203 respondents. The aim of the research was to determine citizens perception of their own security and the importance of the work of government in the perception of security.

By the end of the year, we will also present the results of data collected through interviews with focus groups – eight focus groups in six cities, and by in-depth interviews with up to 30 interviewees.

The primary objective of the third part of the project is to determine the potential for violence in the Serbian society, the degree of popular support for the activities of extremist groups, and the willingness of citizens to be directly involved in political violence. In that sense, the research will particularly focus on the role of dissatisfaction with socio-economic and political situation, as independent variables affecting the orientation towards violence.