We asked readers what was most important to them for coverage; the answer: ‘everything’

Awhile back, we asked reporters to get a little better acquainted with their beats – those topics and parts of society they’re responsible for monitoring and reporting about – by doing stories about what representatives for those beats thought were top priorities.

To go along with that, we opened an informal, online survey asking respondents which beats they thought were more or less important and what suggestions they had for what priorities should be and how reporters should approach the reporting of those beats.

We wanted to know what people thought was most important.

Guess what: everything is important. While some beats were rated higher in importance – city and county government and law enforcement, for instance – all topics were pretty important to most respondents.

So what about comments? Here’s part one of a couple parts reviewing them:

Natural resources: As might be expected, about half the comments left on the survey site had to do with Lake Oroville – will it be safe again? And even though the four-year drought was officially over this year, there were still several respondents who wanted more information on water conservation and availability for farmers and residents. Some other selected comments:

The rivers and woodlands. The wildlife. I would like to see stories detailing where to go for walks.

Effects of climate change on the agriculture in Yuba-Sutter.

Agriculture coexisting with nature.

County government: Regardless of whether they were from Yuba, Sutter or Colusa counties, the most repeated topic was road conditions. Homelessness was a top issues, as were flood control and taxes (collections and how they’re spent). Some other comments:

What is being done in areas where there is constant localized flooding or drainage issues?

I have yet to read anything significant in the AD about the new national monument Berryessa Snow Mountain, which forms our entire western horizon beyond the Sutter Buttes. ...

People living is poverty, kids not being fed, taken care of.

How the county staff is working to help streamline permitting and applications.

Law enforcement: People are very interested in law enforcement information. The topic probably drew the most comments. Many comments had to do with getting information from authorities about what’s happening in specific neighborhoods – trends to watch out for. There were lots of comments showing concern for gangs and drugs.

The police blotter is an effective means as a law-breaking deterrent: most folks here are motivated to keep their names out of it. (One of the benefits of a small town.) Increased patrols for our neighborhood.

Too many druggies, obviously drug addicts, and nothing is done about people living in condemnable buildings, empty buildings used for homeless

Speed enforcement before and after school.

Community outreach, how the community could be of help to law enforcement in little known ways; what is being done about illegal fireworks, which are out of control in this area. How to keep fireworks from crossing state lines.

Stories that build a positive image of police officers in the area. It’s unfortunate that everyone assumes certain neighborhoods are nothing but criminals, drug addicts, welfare recipients.

If there are crime trends occurring, it is in the public’s best interest to be not only informed, but provided with tips to protect themselves. ...

More info needs to be included – followups on court hearings after arrests and sentencing. Work with local law enforcement to promote neighborhood watch groups and encourage community volunteerism.

Courts: In general, respondents wanted more follow-up. Some wanted only news that was pertinent to their neighborhoods; others only wanted to read about the big and unusual stories. Several mentioned that they value information about driving under the influence cases. Some of the comments:

How will voters know what kind of records the judges have when those judges are up for re-election?

Is there a backlog? Working conditions of staff? How public defenders are assigned in the counties. Dealing with the high crime rates matters. Who are the judges; are there patterns in their decisions, sentencing?

Freedom of speech, LGBTQ rights, immigration rights, and just basic human rights!

Are they putting people away for as long as they can?