Survey reveals many Victorville residents enjoy parks, affordable housing, but feel unsafe

A recent City of Victorville survey revealed the top priorities for residents include finding homelessness solutions, increasing law enforcement, and providing more road maintenance and parks and recreation services.

The Victorville Council on Tuesday reviewed the public online survey designed to help city officials better understand resident priorities and satisfaction with a wide range of city services and programs.

The survey will enable the city to understand and respond to community priorities, city officials said.

The survey results

Out of an estimated city population of 135,000, 778 respondents answered questions about resident satisfaction with public safety, the local economy, parks, recreation, libraries, roads, and more.

The top priorities of homelessness, law enforcement, roads, and parks and recreation, in that order, came from all age and ethnic groups in the three city zip codes.

The other priorities for the city to invest in, including in order: Economic development, environmental/sanitation services, library services/educational programs, fire department, animal care/control, public information, city technology, and city customer service.

Executive summary

46% of respondents felt the quality of life in Victorville was fair, 23% thought it was excellent, and 30% thought it was poor.

White respondents living in the 92394 area and respondents recruited through city channels were less satisfied with the quality of life in Victorville than the other groups.

The 92394 area generally lies north of Seneca Road and between Highway 395 and Interstate 15.

47% of respondents said they wouldn’t recommend Victorville as a place to live, while 45% thought they would still be living in the city five years from now.

Respondents love that Victorville is rural and close to lots of natural open spaces. However, they would like to feel safer in the city than they currently do.

Respondents were very satisfied with the services the Victorville Fire Department provided but were less satisfied with how the city dealt with homelessness.

Respondents would most like to see the city invest in homeless solutions. Road maintenance was another area respondents were less satisfied with and wanted to see more investment in.

Open-ended responses: Favorite things

Residents said they enjoy the city's nature, parks, and open spaces as well as affordable living, the people/community, great weather, the location, and store/amenities.

A few responses included, “Quiet, wonderful neighborhood beautiful neighbors, taking pride of ownership of their homes.” Also, “Middle of multiple places like Vegas, LA, OC or San Diego.”

Open-ended responses: Improvements

Many respondents reported feeling unsafe in Victorville and wanted the city to find solutions to crime/lack of safety, homelessness, lack of activities/amenities, issues with transportation, city services, and a lack of jobs. 

A few responses included, “There is so much trash and homelessness/drugs/crime. Not safe to go to parks because they are full of trash/drugs/homeless and crime.”

Also, “Hurry and start the homeless shelter and get them off the streets” and “More police patrol more funding to police.”

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted from May 17 to June 30 in English and Spanish by the community engagement platform Zencity, which surveys incorporate voices from every corner of the community.

Zencity sets response targets based on U.S. Census data about the municipality. The company also ensures the security and privacy of its data and survey respondents.

Survey responses are anonymous unless a respondent shared their email address for follow-up purposes, in which case their survey responses are kept confidential.

Zencity does not collect a respondent’s name, address, or other personally-identifying information. Responses give a proportional voice to all demographics based on the makeup of the municipality.

Wellness Center Campus

In April, city officials broke ground on its Wellness Center Campus, which will be the largest homeless shelter in the High Desert once constructed.

Located near Eva Dell Park, the 170-bed shelter “will be the first facility to combine a low-barrier emergency shelter, recuperative care facility, medical clinic, interim housing, and wraparound support services,” said Victorville officials.

A $28 million state Homekey grant — the main funding source for construction — imposed a deadline of Dec. 15, when the center must be done.

“We are proud to be among the cities taking action to address the issue of homelessness head-on,” Victorville Mayor Debra Jones said during the groundbreaking event. “By increasing access to shelter, health care, and support services, we will reduce homelessness in Victorville, and we will improve the overall quality of life for our community.”

The city has considered building the Wellness Center for more than two years since its Homelessness Solutions Task Force first proposed it in 2019.

The 2022 San Bernardino County annual Point-In-Time Count found that over the last two years the countywide homeless population increased by nearly 7%, the Daily Press reported.

The PITC also revealed that among High Desert municipalities, Victorville once again topped the homeless list with 455 individuals who were either sheltered, in transitional housing, or unsheltered.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.