Application of Some Research Methods to Determine the Level of Safety in Municipalities

The issue of safety has always been one of the strongest of perceived human needs. Feeling safe is second in the hierarchy of basic needs, right after physiological needs. Safety is currently one of the most important determinants affecting quality of life. This is why it is important to pay special attention to this issue. To increase the level of safety for citizens, local governments should be able to assess adequately their current safety status. For the purpose of determining that status, local governments should use research methods that would identify weak points in safety status. A municipality should try to eliminate the weaknesses found. Municipalities should also determine strengths in regard to safety and try to maintain or to improve them. Research methods should thus represent a way for solution to the problem. In this paper we try to highlight the benefits of the research methods used in the process of determining the safety level of municipalities. Every method has both advantages and disadvantages; the contribution focuses on the selection of the most appropriate methods for assessment the current state of safety. Research requires more methods which depend on hypotheses. A correct understanding and assessment of the current state of safety with properly selected research methods will be a guiding factor for increasing safety.