Abstract - zooming in on Zaandam

This report consists of two parts. In the first, a report is given of a longitudinal evaluation of the introduction of camera surveillance in the entertainment centre of Zaandam. The special aspect of this is that, both in the set-up and organisation and in the execution of this camera surveillance, the lessons learnt from earlier studies (see: Camera surveillance – Well spotted’ and ‘Camera surveillance – The human factor’) were put into practice. This has made the practical execution of the study in the town of Zaanstad into a kind of ‘experimental garden’ and the results particularly important against the background of the advancing insights into the added value of camera surveillance and the relevant organisational and technical conditions required.
In this part of the report, the effects of camera surveillance in Zaandam on security and people’s sense of security are described, and the added value of this supervision measure for the police and the law are outlined. Another important component of the current study is the way in which camera surveillance in Zaandam is interpreted and carried out. To what extent can we speak of effective camera surveillance in Zaandam? To answer this question, the Zaandam camera project is held up to the light of the dos and don’ts as regards a good implementation of camera surveillance that resulted from earlier studies of this measure.
In the second part of the report – as a kind of ‘state-of-the-art’ – relevant knowledge and insights based on the study and experiences in practice are gathered and organised in an easy-reference framework mainly related to camera surveillance in urban entertainment centres. In particular this second part of the report can be considered a useful, practical manual for all parties involved in the organisation and implementation of camera surveillance.

Ilse van Leiden, Nicole Arts en Henk Ferwerda (2006) Inzoomen en uitzoomen op Zaandam. Uitkomsten van een evaluatieonderzoek naar cameratoezicht in een breder perspectief geplaatst. Bureau Beke. Programma Politie en Wetenschap, Politiekunde nr. 11.  »