Canvassers for the U.S. Census Bureau will make their rounds throughout Seattle beginning Monday, April 20, and through mid-June.
This will be the first stage of a greater Census poll that will be conducted in February and March of 2010. In the first stage, canvassers will merely verify addresses, making sure people actually live in the homes they visit. They also will hand out information that explains the confidentiality of the poll, which in the past has led to some confusion and reduced accuracy of the last Census poll a decade ago.
In past polls, residents have left out children, and in other cases, a language barrier or fear of a breach of privacy or even deportation have caused people to keep the door shut.
"It's all private," said Deni Luna, a representative of the U.S. Census Bureau. "The perception is that it's the federal government and maybe you're here illegally, so some are scared to answer."
But even if someone was here illegally, canvassers wouldn't ask in the first place, Luna said. And with children, parents sometimes leave kids off because there's not been enough room on the form.
New format next year
Next year's Census, conducted by mail, will be in residents' hands by spring 2010. The primary household member (a mother or father, for example) will be asked a set of 10 questions, such as, name, age, how many people live there, any temporary people, home owned or rented, date of birth, ethnicity and gender.
It is important to participate, Luna said, as the data is used to determine how much federal funding is allocated to federal programs. She said there is $300 billion distributed through 175 federal programs. Education programs and schools often get shortchanged because of the omissions of children on the polls.
"That means less funding for schools and teachers," Luna said. "There have been several conjectured reasons why they're left off."
Former Gov. Gary Locke, now the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, who is overseeing the Census, is focusing on building Census accuracy by reaching students in schools: By informing students at schools, they'll come home and tell their parents. That route also lifts any potential language barrier presented when trying to reach non-English-speaking parents, for example.
The 2009 canvassers have already been selected, but 85 percent of the workforce needed for 2010 is still available. Luna encouraged anyone interested in a Census-related job to go to www.census.gov and click on the jobs@census link.
How to spot a Census taker
The U.S. Census Bureau contacted the Seattle Police Department to let the city know that the bureau will conduct field operations within the next few weeks. The Census Bureau wants to make sure that local law enforcement and the community can identify Census Bureau employees, both temporary decennial employees and permanent field representatives.
Be aware that each Census employee - whether temporary, regional level or field-office manager - will have an official identification card with the employee's signature and expiration date. To verify an employee's identity, call the U.S. Census Bureau's Regional Census Center, at (425) 908-3000.
Federal law protects the privacy of those surveyed and keeps answers confidential. Your answers cannot be obtained by law enforcement or tax-collection agencies. They cannot be used in court nor obtained with a Freedom of Information Act request.
Here are some crime-prevention tips for any door-to-door solicitors:
•Acknowledge someone knocking at your door. There is a difference between answering your door and opening it. Talk through the door.
•Ask for proper identification, which should be displayed on their outer clothing.
•Use good judgment. If you are not satisfied by what you see and hear, do not open the door.
•If the individual does not leave when requested to do so or attempts to gain access, or if you feel intimidated, pressured or threatened, call 9-1-1.
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