Interactive Polling of TV Viewers Watching Townhall Meeting Reveals Important Findings From Respondents About Violence

LAS VEGAS, March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Five questions that were asked of a television audience that was tuned into a townhall meeting focusing on violence in Clark County revealed high skewing on some responses with a more even distribution of responses on at least one of the responses.

Eighty-four percent of the respondents indicated they would make a report to the school or police if their child told them that someone was going to bring a gun to school. Seventy percent of respondents reported that they last checked their child's room or computer only one week ago.

In addition, 52 percent responded that they believed law enforcement could do more when asked to rate law enforcement's handling of teen violence, and 58 percent believed that violence involving young people stems from lack of parental guidance. Finally, an equal number of respondents, 41 percent, believed that the biggest problem in our schools is bullying and gang activity.

About the survey results, Steve Schorr, vice president of public and government affairs as well as moderator of the townhall meeting, noted, "The results we received from our interactive television polling feature is revealing, although some portions are not completely unexpected. For example, the results of Question Five related to bringing a gun to school indicates that we must increase parent-child communications in order to reduce a child's anxiety and fear about snitching."

"Violence in Our Schools: A Prescription for Our Community," the title of the townhall meeting sponsored by Cox Communications, was broadcast live on Cox 96 television, Wednesday, March 12, from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The five questions were asked of the television audience at 6:08 p.m., 6:22 p.m., 6:38 p.m., 6:55 p.m. and 7:12 p.m. respectively. Once the questions appeared on screen, viewers were given three response choices and asked to select A), B) or C) using their Cox remote control. The responses were subsequently captured by an automated system.

The five questions asked of television viewers and the response percentages were:

Question 1)
Where do you think violence involving young people stems from?
a) Lack of respect for others (41%)
b) Lack of parental guidance (58%)
c) Just a sign of the times (1%)

Question 2)
What do you think is the biggest problem in our schools?
a) Lack of teacher intervention (18%)
b) Bullying (41%)
c) Gang activity (41%)

Question 3)
How would you rate law enforcement's handling of teen violence?
a) Police could do more (52%)
b) Less police involvement, more community involvement (24%)
c) Appropriate police involvement (24%)

Question 4)
When was the last time you checked your child's room or computer?
a) One week ago (70%)
b) Last month (4%)
c) Rarely, if ever (26%)

Question 5)
If your child told you someone was going to bring a gun to school, what
would you do?
a) Report it to school or police (84%)
b) Dismiss it as a rumor (6%)
c) Tell your child to report it to school or police (11%)

"Violence in Our Schools: A Prescription for Our Community" will be rebroadcast on Cox 96 and webcast on http://www.cox96.net/ in its entirety on the dates below.

-- Saturday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
-- Tuesday, March 18 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
-- Friday, March 21 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
-- Monday, March 24 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
-- Thursday, March 27 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
-- On Demand availability on Cox Cable beginning Tuesday, April 1

About Cox Communications:

Cox Communications is a multi-service broadband communications and entertainment company with more than 6.2 million total residential and commercial customers. The third-largest cable television company in the United States, Cox offers an array of advanced digital video, high-speed Internet and telephony services over its own nationwide IP network, as well as integrated wireless services. Cox Business is a full-service, facilities-based provider of communications solutions for commercial customers, providing high-speed Internet, voice and long distance services, as well as data and video transport services for small to large-sized businesses. Cox Media offers national and local cable advertising in traditional spot and new media formats, along with promotional opportunities and production services. Cox Communications wholly owns and operates the Travel Channel. More information about the services of Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at http://www.cox.com/,
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Cox Communications

CONTACT: Juergen Barbusca, Manager of Communications of Cox
Communications, +1-702-545-1004, juergen.barbusca@cox.com

Web site: http://www.cox.com/

2008-03-13 19:38:13 0312453 PRNEWSWIRE