REGION/ILLINOIS: PATROL SUPPORTED

SIKESTON -- The Missouri State Highway Patrol received overwhelming support from Southeast Missouri residents recently in an approval poll conducted by the patrol.

According to the survey, 88.5 percent of those polled said the highway patrol was doing either an excellent or good job. Only 1.3 percent said the patrol was doing a poor job.

Of the 24.5 percent of those polled who had some direct contact with the patrol in the past three years, 70.6 percent said it was a positive experience while 20.4 said it was neutral.

The biannual survey also touches on citizen concerns about crime, traffic crashes and public safety issues. According to the poll, most Missourians think crime is the top issue facing the nation and a majority oppose a law allowing Missouri citizens to carry concealed weapons.

There were also 46.6 percent who said the current number of patrol officers was sufficient; 38.5 percent said there were too few. Enforcing DWI laws was the top responsibility for the patrol in the opinion of those surveyed, 85.2 percent, followed by deterring drug trafficking, 63 percent, and enforcing criminal laws, 62.3 percent.

More than 58 percent of respondents indicated the patrol should be involved with the enforcement of Missouri's gaming laws, 15.6 percent disagreed and 20.6 percent had no opinion. When asked about the patrol's involvement with marijuana eradication, an overwhelming majority, 80.4 percent, agreed the patrol should participate in the program.

The survey results will be used to assist the patrol in establishing policies and programs.