Some New Forms of Functional Social Control in the Netherlands and Their Effects

• NCJ Number: 161997
• Journal: British Journal of Criminology Volume: 36 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1996) Pages: 199-219
• Author(s): A Hauber; B Hofstra; L Toornviliet; A Zandbergen
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 21 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

Based on the results of two recent research projects, this article assesses the effectiveness and acceptability of three new kinds of social-control agents in the Netherlands: city wardens, police patrollers, and public transport inspectors.

Abstract

The city warden is a supervisory official without any formal police powers, whose tasks include providing information and assistance to the public, as well as intervening to talk to perpetrators of offenses. The police patroller developed from and forms part of the police force; a police patroller is the lowest rank within the executive service of the force and has the primary task of increasing citizens' feelings of safety through surveillance. The public transport inspector ensures that those who use public transportation systems comply with the rules that govern the use of these services. The purposes of the research were to examine the effects of the different types of agents on the forms of crime with which they are primarily concerned, the performance of the agents and the reactions of citizens to their work, and whether the agents have a positive influence on the public's perception of their safety. The study found that interactions between the agents and citizens are generally peaceful and courteous. People stopped by city wardens and police patrollers indicate that they refrain from criticized behaviors, particularly when they are reprimanded courteously and professionally. In the case of the public transport inspector, however, a smaller percentage of citizens stop fare dodging, even if their interaction with an inspector is polite and positive. Overall, the public feels safer because of the work of the city wardens and police patrollers; however, they miss their presence in the community during the evening and night hours. Suggestions for improving the work of these agents are offered. 8 tables and 20 references