Hernando, Miss. – Today, the DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office released the results of its bi-annual public opinion poll, providing valuable insights into community views on public safety in our county.
According to the results posted on our office’s website, the survey shows strong approval for the District Attorney’s Office in key areas such as job performance, transparency, and community engagement.
“The survey serves as an important “measuring stick” for our office, helping us assess how well we’re meeting the community’s expectations and identifying areas where we can improve. It also provides a clearer picture of the public safety challenges facing DeSoto County.” said District Attorney Matthew Barton.
An overwhelming 77.6% of respondents believe the District Attorney’s Office is performing its duties well, a positive endorsement of the team’s efforts.
“I truly hope that our community feels that we care about their concerns and their safety. We asked, “How do you feel about the work we’re doing?’ And our goal is to meet those expectations,” said District Attorney Matthew Barton. “These survey results are a reflection of what we’re doing right, but also a reminder of where we can do better.”
In terms of overall safety, 69.75% of respondents reported feeling safe living in DeSoto County.
However, the survey also highlighted several key public safety concerns. Residents identified spillover crime from Memphis as a significant issue, with many indicating a need for more law enforcement officers to ensure a greater sense of security. The survey also revealed that 82.63% of respondents believe that local law enforcement agencies are doing a good job in protecting the community.
Thank you again to all who took part in the survey.
Your input will guide us as we work to improve public safety and strengthen the trust between our office and the community. Users can view the full survey results here: https://desotomsda.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/DeSoto-County-Public-Safety-Survey-Report-2024.pdf
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