Often, the FBI’s strategic communications goals include “increasing public awareness” about us and how we operate. Awareness is incredibly difficult to measure, but one method to do so is through surveys. For multiple years now, the FBI has conducted periodic surveying, through a third-party company, to 1) measure awareness, 2) identify interests, and 3) determine how people get information. These surveys also provide a continuous baseline in a few areas, including trust.
In a recent Morning Consult national-level public awareness survey conducted for the FBI:
- The majority of the public does not know how to report a tip to the FBI but are interested in learning how.
- The majority of the public would be interested in learning about nearly any FBI topic, but they are most interested in how to avoid becoming a victim of a crime or scam.
Texas adults surveyed said they were more interested in learning more about Human Trafficking, Violent Crimes, and Domestic Terrorism. They also wanted to see more information about how to avoid scams or being a victim of a crime, the services the FBI provides to victims of crimes, and crime trends and statistics. The lowest level of awareness continues to be sextortion, economic espionage, romance scams, counterintelligence, and healthcare fraud.
This information is very interesting to see what our communities are interested in, where they go for their information and what resonates the most with them. We will take this information to target our collective outreach and public messaging to ensure we maintain and grow the trust, 71% of the surveyed adults said they had in the FBI and reach the 63% of people who don’t know how to report a crime to the FBI.
If you are one of those who don’t know how to report a crime to the FBI, we can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-CALL-FBI or you can file an anonymous tip at tips.fbi.gov. The El Paso Field Office can be reached at (915) 832-5000.
We pledge to find other avenues to reach the different age demographics and urban/suburban/rural demographics to educate the public about the FBI and the resources we can offer.
John Morales
Special Agent in Charge, FBI El Paso
With El Paso so close to the Mexican border and Mexico in the throws of revolutionary struggle during the early 1900s, southwest Texas became a key focus of the Bureau soon after its founding in 1908. As the FBI heads into its second century, the El Paso Division remains committed to protecting the people and defending the nation while upholding the rule of law and the civil liberties of all.