NCJ Number
167464
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: (October 1996) Pages: 205-210
Date Published
1996
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study examined the level of victimization and fear of crime among taxi drivers in the Netherlands; recommended security measures are included.
Abstract
In August 1994 a survey was conducted on a sample of 550 taxi drivers in cities of varying sizes. The research shows that taxi drivers' fears of crime and their risk of victimization suggest the need for increased security measures. A quarter of the interviewed drivers reported fear of crime during their work. Compared to public transport personnel, the interviewed taxi drivers were less often confronted with grievous bodily harm and threat, but far more often with theft. Partly based on the results of this research project, the national program of Taxi and Insecurity has proposed a minimum risk-reduction protocol of security measures. A minimum package is recommended for all cities, and advanced measures are proposed for "risky" cities. The minimum package contains primarily organizational security measures such as registration of incidents, selection of drivers, victim support, standard safety procedures, and training of drivers and office staff. The advanced measures have the additional provisions of cooperation among all the taxi companies in the region and a standard protocol for the police response to reports of incidents. Recommended technical security measures are the radiotelephone, the alarm button, and the video camera. 5 tables and 3 references