Running head: WINDSHIELD SURVEY CRYSTAL, MI.

48818

Windshield Survey Crystal, Michigan 48818

Ken McIntyre Jr.
Ferris State University

Windshield Survey 48818

Windshield Survey for Crystal, Michigan 48818

A windshield survey is an informal means of gathering information about a population by
community healthcare professionals in order to learn more about the community where their
clients live (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012, Kindle locations 7369-7371). These surveys have their
limitations, but they can provide valuable insight into a community that would be hard to
visualize from a report or publication.
This windshield survey was conducted during the time period between January 1, 2016
and February 18, 2016, by driving through the Village of Crystal, Michigan. Discussed in this
paper are visible health issues observed in the community, the definition of a community,
community health as an interaction of complex social attributes, the community as a client, and a
Healthy People 2020 indicator as it applies to this community.
Community
A community can be a group of people who share a common interest, or a group of
people that live within defined geo-political boundaries, or a group of people that are of the same
ethnic heritage. There are also communities of identity whose members share a social, cultural,
or situational identity that transcends geopolitical boundaries or definitions of a population
aggregate (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012, Kindle locations 5754-5758). Even a group of nations
can be defined as a community. For the purpose of this paper, the people living in the Village of
Crystal, Michigan will be the community of interest. See appendix B for a map of Crystal,
Michigan.
Community Health
Harkness & DeMarco wrote, Health is a complex concept that can be conceptualized in
many ways, from a broad to narrow disease-specific view. Further complexity comes into play

Windshield Survey 48818

when the social, political, and economic conditions are factored into the equation (2012, Kindle
Locations 2314-2316). A communitys health can also be influenced by past business and
industrial activity, government rules and regulations, government intervention, or a lack of
government intervention.
Other factors that can influence community health are natural geological formations or
processes, and the communitys natural resources. Outside influences such as individuals that
work or exploit the community can have an impact on community health.
Community as a Client
To partner with a community as a client, it is important to share some of the same healthrelated values and goals as the community. One role of the community health nurse is to identify
the health-related goals of the community, and to locate available services and programs that can
be used to achieve those goals. Making use of existing, accessible resources requires
collaboration with other health professionals, and a knowledge of how to access government and
private resources.
Healthy People 2020 Leading Health Indicator
Addressing nutrition, physical activity, and obesity is a goal of Healthy People 2020, and
it is one of the Leading Health Indicator (LHI) topics (Healthy People 2020, 2016). Obesity is
one primary concern for the residents of the area (Mid-Michigan District Health Department,
2011). A community nurse could offer educational classes regarding diet, exercise, and weight
loss at the community center for the village residents.
Conclusion
The Village of Crystal offers some positive influences on the health of the community.
The lake provides opportunities for physical activity such as swimming and water-skiing, and

Windshield Survey 48818

relaxation through fishing or lying on the beach. Overcrowding is not an issue. Although the
nearest hospital is approximately 10 miles away, travel time is around 15 minutes perhaps less
time than it would take to negotiate busy city streets in a large community. Negative influences
on the health of the population in this community are the salt-contaminated water wells of some
residents.

Windshield Survey 48818

5
References

Google. (2016). Google maps electronic image. Retrieved February 17, 2016, from
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Crystal,+MI+48818/@43.2732109,84.8958501,12z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88189d90b80568bb:0x4909405aefa229be
Harkness, G. A., & DeMarco, R. (2012). Community and public health nursing: Evidence for
practice [Kindle].
Healthy People 2020. (2016, February 17). Nutrition, physical activity, and obesity.
Retrieved February 18, 2016, from http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-healthindicators/2020-lhi-topics/Nutrition-Physical-Activity-and-Obesity
Mid-Michigan District Health Department. (2011). Community health needs assessment
Montcalm County. Retrieved from http://www.mmdhd.org
Move, Inc. (2016, February 17). Real estate listings & homes for sale. Retrieved February 17,
2016, from http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Crystal_MI
Politico. (2012, November 19). 2012 Michigan presidential results. Retrieved February 18, 2016,
from http://www.politico.com/2012-election/results/president/michigan/
Sperlings Best Places. (n.d.). Crystal (zip 48818), Michigan voting. Retrieved February 18, 2016,
from http://www.bestplaces.net/voting/zip-code/michigan/crystal/48818
United States Census Bureau. (2014). American community survey demographic and housing
estimates. Retrieved February 17, 2016, from
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF

Windshield Survey 48818

6
Appendix A

o
Housing and zoning
Housing consists of numerous,
aging, temporary housing
(cottages) that surround Crystal
Lake, numerous older homes of
typical wood construction on the
East, West, and Side of Crystal
Lake, and less than two-dozen
newer homes in a development
on the North side of Crystal
Lake. The median price per
square foot for a home in
Crystal is $66.00 (Move, Inc.,
2016).
The cottages surrounding the
East-side of Crystal Lake are
very close together, in some
instances within 2 feet of each
other, and are on odd-shaped
lots. Homes further away from
the lake are spaced much
farther apart.
I would estimate most homes to
be approximately 1,500 square
feet or less, with the exception
of seasonal cottages I would
estimate to be approximately
500 square feet or less.
There is one low-income
apartment complex located on
the North-side of town that has
approximately 16 small-family
apartments.
Crystal has no municipal water,
but does have a municipal
sewer system.
Crystal does not have zoning.
Health Risks:
All residents have a private
water well. A lack of fluoride
in the drinking water can
increase the risk for tooth
decay.

Transportation

Race and ethnicity

Roads are paved, 2-lane roads

surrounding the lake and in the
business district, and a
combination of 2-lane paved
and unpaved roads in the
surrounding rural area.

Caucasians were the only race

observed during this windshield
survey.

M-57 is an eastwest state

trunkline highway located
approximately 10 miles north of
Crystal.
There is no public transportation
system.
Vehicles in the community are
range from pickups, SUVs, and
cars of varying ages.
Occasionally, golf carts or ATVs
are noted.

Over 98% of the residents of

Crystal are Caucasian (United
States Census Bureau, 2014).
There are no indications of any
cultural diversity.

Windshield Survey 48818

Open space

Service centers

Religion and politics

Surrounding the village is

swamp, farmland, and wooded
land. Trees within the village
are limited.

There are no health services

available in the community.
Carson City, located
approximately 10 miles north of
Crystal has a large, rural
hospital, clinics, and a dentist
office.

There are four churches located

within the boundaries of the
Village of Crystal. All four
churches are protestant a
Congregational Church, and
three non-denominational
churches. There are no other
faiths represented.

A public park is located on the

East side of Crystal Lake, and
has a small area with
playground equipment, a picnic
shelter, outdoor toilets, and
access to the lake.
Another public area is a
baseball diamond and outdoor
ice-skating rink located on the
North-side of the community.
Located on the East-side and
South-side of Crystal Lake are
pubic boat launches.
Lot sizes of homes in the village
generally allow for a front and
back lawn, and side yards, with
the exception of the cottages
that line the East-side of the
lake.
Health Risks:
Swamp areas with standing
water can be a breeding
ground for disease carrying
insects.

There is no public school in the

community. School children are
bused to Carson City.

There is no Police Department

located in Crystal.

44.95% are registered as

Democrats, 53.56% are
registered as Republican, and
the remaining 1.49% are
registered as independent
(Sperlings Best Places, n.d.).
This information reflects voting
in the 2012 presidential election
for Montcalm county (Politico,
2012). As of 2-18-2016, there
are no campaign posters or
political bumper stickers
currently noted.

There is an attorneys office

located on Main Street.

There are no political party

headquarters located in Crystal.

The former elementary school

has been refurbished into a
community center.
There is a volunteer Fire
Department building located on
the East-side of the village.

Health Risks:
A lack of a Police Department
can be detrimental to the
security and safety of the
village population.

Boundaries

Stores and street people

Health and morbidity

Boundaries consist of one sign

on the South-side of the village
stating Welcome to Crystal.
There are no signs when
entering the village from the
North, East, or West.

The nearest hospital is in

Carson City, which is
approximately 10 miles from
Crystal. Carson City does not
have an urgent care center or a
walk-in clinic.

Crystal is sometimes referred to

as Crystal Lake. There are no
nicknames for the village.

There is one grocery store,

three gas stations, one
restaurant, two bars, one
laundromat, one hardware store,
one beauty parlor, one movie
theatre, one pizza parlor, a
candle shop, an antique shop,
one auto repair & tire shop, a
seasonal ice-cream shop and a
seasonal BBQ eatery.

Business are situated along

Main Street and West Lake
Street.

A new Dollar General store has

been built and is due to open in
March 2016.
The village has a Post Office
and a bank.

The population of Crystal does

have occasional emergency
medical problems that are
served by the Montcalm County
EMS which operates
ambulances and a rescue
vehicle.

Windshield Survey 48818

Very few people were noted on

the sidewalks. Those people
observed were dressed
conservatively, and were
dressed appropriately for the
weather.
No stray animals were noted.
No homeless people,
panhandlers, prostitutes, or
door-to-door salesmen were
observed.

A volunteer fire department

serves fire department needs of
the Village of Crystal.
Many people observed in this
community appear to be
overweight or obese. Smoking
does not seem to be prevalent
in public and very few
individuals were noted as
smoking.
Located to the North-East of the
village are several [crude] oil
pumps, crude oil storage tanks,
and a pumping station with
underground pipelines that is no
longer in use.
Health Risks:
Lack of an urgent care facility
can affect the immediate
health of the people in the
village in an emergency.
Fumes were observed coming
from the vents of the crude oil
storage tanks. A strong odor
of hydrocarbons could be
detected. Breathing
hydrocarbons can be harmful
to health.
All residents obtain their
drinking water from water
wells. The underground
pipelines pose a threat if they
begin to leak, which can
cause ground water
contamination.
Some private water wells are
salt-contaminated due to oil
drilling operations in the past.
Obesity is a serious health
issue, and can lead to
cardiovascular disease,
diabetes, and other health
problems.

Commons

Signs of decay

Media
The local paper is the Carson
City Gazette, which is published

Windshield Survey 48818

There is a public park with lake

access on the East-side of
Crystal Lake.

Most homes in the village are in

good repair. No abandoned
homes were noted.

and delivered weekly free of

charge via the U.S. Postal
Service.

An RV Campground is located
on the South-side of Crystal
Lake.

There is one unoccupied

building that was previously a
restaurant. It is currently for
sale, and does not appear
abandoned.

Internet is provided by Crystal

Microsystems via wireless, DSL,
and dial-up, Centurylink via
DSL, and DISH Network,
HughsNet or DIRECTV via
satellite.

A race track is located on the

South-side of the village, and is
open in the summer for stock
and sprint car racing.

Several homes are listed for

sale, and do not appear to be
occupied.

There is a community center

located in the old elementary
school in the business district.

Health Risks:

A public library is currently

located in a historical home on
the East-side of Crystal Lake.

Homes and buildings that are

not occupied can become
invested with vermin, and
pose a threat to the
community.

The only restaurant and the two

bars are open year-round.
There is no sense of
territoriality.

Cell-phone use appears to be

common.
The grocery store has a
newspaper box located at the
entrance for the Lansing State
Journal and Detroit Free Press,
and limited local papers inside
such as the Carson City Gazette
and Wheeler Dealer.

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10
Appendix B

(Electronic image, Google Maps, 2016).