Mapping Resident Perspectives on Safety,Participation,and Security Devices: Insights into Community Security Governance in Urban China

Abstract

Community safety is maintained through both security devices and resident-involved safety activities in contemporary China; however, limited empirical research has compared their respective influences on perceptions of safety, or further discussed security governance from the perspective of residents’ lived experiences. Drawing on questionnaire data from Suzhou Industrial Park, China, and integrating quantitative results with qualitative insights, the study reveals that residents generally report a high sense of security, with neighborhood relationships exerting limited influence. The anonymity characteristic of modern communities subtly shapes this dynamic. Despite privacy concerns, security devices enjoy widespread acceptance, driven by perceived protective value and familiarity. Participation in community safety activities is moderately high, supported by certain contextual conditions and promotional efforts. The study concludes with recommendations to enhance community safety, including optimizing surveillance management while ensuring privacy protection, fostering inclusive engagement through targeted outreach, and enhancing urban living services to promote long-term residency.

Plain Language Summary

Understanding how urban residents in China perceive safety and different security measures, and how safe communities can be fostered

In contemporary China, community safety is maintained through both security devices such as surveillance cameras and smart access systems, and through community efforts like volunteer patrols. However, little research has explored how these different approaches influence people’s sense of safety, and it is important to examine community security from residents’ own perspectives. Based on questionnaire data collected in Suzhou Industrial Park, China, this study finds that in urban communities of more developed areas, residents generally report a strong sense of safety, but this feeling is not closely related to neighborhood relationships, which differs from some previous findings. Although privacy concerns exist, devices like surveillance cameras are widely accepted because people recognize their protective function and are familiar with their presence. Residents’ participation in community safety activities is also higher than expected, influenced by active promotional efforts and the special circumstances during the pandemic. The study suggests improving community safety by optimizing the management of surveillance while ensuring privacy protection, encouraging broader resident participation through outreach, and enhancing living services beyond the community level to support long-term residency and better security governance.