NCJ Number
137614
Date Published
1992
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The effects of social caretakers on vandalism, crime, and the rental position of public housing estates in the Netherlands was evaluated using data obtained from two household surveys totaling 5,500 respondents, police crime records, and interviews with caretakers and representatives of the housing organization.
Abstract
Both design features and the characteristics of the residents promote crime and other problems in these housing developments. The responsibilities of estate social caretakers are to supervise building cleaning, control and repair the technical facilities, patrol the estate to deter crime and vandalism, and maintain contact with the residents. Other measures have been implemented to reduce crime and improve living conditions on estates; most were intended to improve the semipublic areas, while others related to the dwellings, surroundings of the estate, and the neighborhood in general. The results of this evaluation found that social caretakers had a positive effect on the problems including pollution, vandalism, nuisance, and theft that occur in or around the semipublic areas of estates. More residents were satisifed with the cleanliness of the area and the social behavior of others. These effects were only noticed when there was a high caretaker density. In estates where there was a low caretaker density, there was little effect on more serious crimes including burglary and violent offenses. 4 tables and 5 notes