Interview about the city (Hayward in CA)

1. What are three words you would use to describe the feeling of being safe in Hayward?


2. What song encapsulates living in Hayward? Why did you pick this song?


3. How safe do you feel walking alone in your neighborhood? Why? What about driving or taking public transit? What about shopping?


4. Compared to Hayward as a whole, does your neighborhood feel more or less safe? Why?


5. When you have felt unsafe, have you ever reached out to someone from a Hayward government for help, like police, fire, code enforcement, or a school principal? If so, what was the topic(s)? If not, why not?


6. Most of the time, we think of safety as relating to violence. What other factors in your life make you feel unsafe or fearful? Examples could include housing, food, employment, healthcare, climate, racism, or isolation.


7. We want every community member in Hayward to feel safe in their community. As we discuss and work on these issues, what strategies can we use for everyone to feel safe and fully participate?


8. Do you think policing is done safely in Hayward?  Why or why not?


9. When you envision a Hayward where everyone feels safe, what does it look like? In your vision, what role does law enforcement play?


10. When you think about safety broadly, what solutions should we prioritize first?


11. Is there anything else you would like to add?

 You will arrange and do at least 4 (four) interviews.  We will be talking a lot about how to do successful interviews. Interview people who know things about your topic… Don't simply pick the closest person to you. We want people who really have opinions about and experiences with this topic. You are allowed to pick only ONE person under age 25 for your interviews. You may not do email interviews. It does not work to get good full answers. Instead you need to talk with the interviewees. You can do this over Zoom, or in person, safely. You will need to record the interview because later we will need the FULL transcript of what they said. 

Practical tips for interviewing. 

All of this advice comes from students who have done interviews and 

reported back their experiences.

1. Be professional--be on time. Make interviewee feel important--because they are. 


2. Make them comfortable. The more this feels like a conversation, the better. 


3. You may want to send them the questions before the interview. Interviewees WANT to do well, and having the questions ahead of time can relax them.


4. If they get off track in their answers, steer them gently back. BUT, pay attention to what they are saying… sometimes what seems “off topic” actually has value. 


5. Don’t talk too much. You KNOW what you think. Let them tell you what THEY think. 


6. Be sure to ask follow-up questions when they say something good. Don’t be a slave to the questions. The questions are just a start. 


7. Be sure to record the interview. ALSO, take good written notes. You will want to have BOTH sources. Consider using OTTER app. which allows you to get a written transcript of the interview. You can have OTTER going on your phone while you are Zooming or talking in person (safely.)


8. When interview is over, ask them if it is OK to contact them with follow up questions.


9. Don't do email interviews. Instead, talk with the interviewee.