Security remains the most urgent concern in Iraq. Virtually all
(94%) of those interviewed for Gallup's landmark poll of Baghdad
residents said the city is now a more dangerous place than before
the invasion, and nearly as many (85%) believe anarchy would result
if the United States were to pull out its troops "any time soon."
However, while coalition troops can provide a measure of
assistance, the ultimate key to resolving Iraq's immense internal
security challenge rests with Iraqis themselves -- in the form of a
reconstituted police force.
The occupation's opponents know this, and now view Iraqi police
as important strategic targets. Since July, nine police stations
have been struck by bombings, and several other attacks have been
narrowly averted. Eight police officers died in a series of
coordinated attacks on Oct. 27, when suicide bombers struck police
stations in four Baghdad districts, as well as the local
headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The
following day, a car bomb detonated near a police station in
Fallujah.
The process of rebuilding and reforming Iraq's police is one of
the coalition's most pressing challenges. Before the occupation,
Baghdad had more than 50,000 officers. They were poorly paid,
corruption and brutality were rampant, and the regime encouraged a
focus on political "crimes."
Following the invasion, the city's police force was in disarray.
The officers who chose to return to work were overwhelmed by a
rising wave of random shootings, street crime, kidnappings, and
carjackings. They worked without a fully functioning judicial
system, and often without squad cars, communications gear, or
weapons other than simple sidearms. Even in early July, it was
possible to tour the city for hours without encountering a single
police officer. Though not anarchic -- at least during daylight
hours -- the city appeared to be, quite literally, lawless.
Forty thousand police officers are now on the force in Baghdad.
Equipment and training are being provided, and $5 billion of the
$18.3 billion recently allocated by the United States for Iraq's
reconstruction is earmarked for security. But for the police
themselves, security is arguably more tenuous now than when they
found themselves outgunned by criminals in the wake of the
invasion, as they are increasingly being targeted as
"collaborators" by opposing forces.
Baghdadis' Top Security Recommendation: Expand Police
Presence and Capabilities
Gallup asked the city's residents to describe, in their own
words, what actions they think should be taken to improve security
and safety in the city. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of the responses
referred to a need to expand the presence and capabilities of
police in the city, while less than 1% indicated a desire for
increased patrols by coalition troops.
In addition to more police, some Baghdadis also see the
expansion of governmental and judicial capabilities as integral to
the improvement of safety and security in the city. One in five
respondents (20%) said that establishing an elected Iraqi
government would improve security, while 10% mentioned establishing
an effective and powerful court system. Nearly as many (8%)
suggested establishing an independent interior ministry.
Only a handful of respondents cited activities in which
coalition forces -- as opposed to Iraqi police -- might be presumed
to play a direct role. These responses include expanding border
patrols to reduce infiltration into the country (2%), and
increasing the number of checkpoints, particularly on access roads
leading into the city (2%). A small number of Baghdad residents
(4%) also mentioned rebuilding Iraq's own army as a step that could
lead to improved safety and security.
Security
How bad is the security situation in Baghdad, and to what extent
has it affected the daily lives of average citizens there?
Eighty-six percent of Baghdad's residents told Gallup that there
had been times "within the past four weeks" when they or a member
of their household had been afraid to go outside their home at
night for safety reasons. In addition, 60% said there had been
times during this same period when they were afraid to go out
during daylight hours. Asked whether similar fears had existed
during the final two months leading up to the coalition invasion
last spring, just 8% said this had been the case at night, and just
3% had felt such fears during the day.
On the other hand, relatively few respondents reported that
their households had suffered a home burglary (3%) or a physical
attack on a family member (2%) since the invasion. Similar
percentages reported that their households had been victimized by
such crimes in the two months prior to the invasion (2% for
home burglary, 1% for physical attack). Furthermore, just 4% of
Baghdad residents had had dealings of any sort with the police
within the past four weeks.
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Methodology
