In this article the author examines the so-called Streetwise policy in Amsterdam. Since 1998 the Amsterdam police force fines citizens for small breaches of the law like urinating in public and cycling on footpaths. The force aims to break off the tolerant attitudes that have characterized Dutch policing for a long time. Police officers are obliged to produce more fines and call citizens to account. It is argued that this more repressive policy in many ways enhances compliance with the law, but also generates many complaints because officers treat citizens without respect. Next the question is dealt with whether police officers or special enforcement teams (that are qualified to fine) might better be suited to supervise citizens in public domains. The author stresses that police officers are better equipped to exercise authority. Moreover, the police are not relieved when other enforcers partly take over their work because the police always have to give back-up when these enforcers are in trouble. In the last sections it is argued that enforcement of ‘minor norms’ in the public sphere is senseless when public institutions, like schools, do not cooperate. Core question is how to augment the sense of public norms. A community oriented enforcement perspective might be more successful because residents trust enforcers when they are familiar and approachable. (Author/publisher)
Abstract