AllAmsterdam

Amsterdam tends to have a double image. On one hand it is known as a beautiful, interesting and fun city. On the other hand, there is wide speculation about the city being dangerous for tourists and that crime is rampant. We here are at AllAmsterdam want our readers to be aware of the true situation and climate of real life in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a worldcity. Amsterdam's metropolitan area has around 1.5 million inhabitants (2006). Cities with such populations usually have a hard time preventing crime and keeping law and order. Amsterdam, however, is unique and internationally reknown for its lenient policies towards a large variety of lifestyles, considered taboo in much of the conservative world and even countries considered somehwhat liberal. Some of these policies include..

• Soft drugs policy
• Prostitution policy
• Liberal crime policy
• Terror threats

We will now look more in depth at some of these policies and try to make it apparent for our readers what the true situation of Amsterdam is.

Softdrugs policy

Amsterdam is known for allowing the limited use of soft drugs, such as Cannabis which is illegal in most other countries. Whether this policy has increased the crime rate is difficult to answer.

What is interesting to note is that in countries where consumption is illegal such as the UK the crime rate is actually higher than in the Netherlands and the consumption is lower!

In general as a tourist you are generally protected. By buying these items at coffee shops and from legal propietors you assure yourself of good quality and information about what you buy.

Besides, when you buy a limited amount you are not commiting a crime. People are generally advised to use soft drugs in designated places and not in public places. Be advised that there are mant drugs which are not allowed, such as cocaine, extascy and heroin etc. People offering you these drugs should be declinded politely and avoided there after.

Prostitution policy

Some say that there are certain underground rules one should use whilst visiting the Red light district. Crime odoes take place here from organised crime to pickpocketing in which precautions should be taken (see end of article).

Liberal crime policy

Compared to other countries such as the USA, the crime policies of Netherlands are extremely lenient. Where one may be shocked about the leniency towards criminals, the crime rate in the Netherlands is generally low, especially when compared to other European countries with tougher crime policies such as the UK. Indeed in the UK they have found that 60% of inmates in British jails had served a jail sentance previously. Even in the USA where there is a prevalent view that crime is rampant in Amsterdam, the rate of deaths caused by crime rate was 1.22% per 100,000, where as in the USA it is 8.22% (1996).

Terror threats

Amsterdam has also been the victim of terrorism, when in 2004 the popular Dutch film director, producer and actor Theo van Gogh who was also related to world famous artist Vincent Van Gogh, was assassinated by an extremist after the making of the controvesial 10 Minute film Submission. Although no public attacks have taken place, there are wide cases of individuals being threatened such as that of Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Geert Wilders, who have spoken out about topics considered sensitive to the minorities resident in Amsterdam, particularly those who are Muslim.

Amsterdam has a relatively large muslim population, of whom the large majority are peace loving inhabitants of the city, but there is a growing subculture of fundamentalists that take smaller acts of violence into account. Sadly enough there have been cases of gay couples being intimidated or actually attacked by annoying or slightly fundamentalistic groups of mostly teenagers. I don't think that is a part of terrorism, but it's an effect of the same origin, which is disrespect and intolerance.

Where is safe in Amsterdam?

There are no ghetto's such as in the USA, but there are a few neighborhoods in Amsterdam where you should be cautious whilst visiting. Although the majority of citizens are helpful and law abiding, there are minorities of mostly youngsters that are out there to entertain themselves by annoying and provoking others.

Generally one should be cautious whilst visiting one of these areas.

• Downtown..
• Areas south of Downtown
  
• A few kilometers into the Western side. Especially the high rise projects.

If you do visit one of these areas, the chance is still minimal, but as with any larger city crime and distrubances tends to be more concentrated in particular neighborhoods .

What could happen?

The most occurent crimes and disturbances are usually frauds, pickpockets, armed robbery, verbal intimidation or physical violence. To avoid such situations it is usually best to take take a few precautions.

Precautions

When people intimidate you, try to ignore it. Don't get into arguments with people that are out to create trouble.

Watch your belongings carefully. Make sure your handbag is closed and secure, don't put your wallet into an easily accessible pocket. Try not to keep large amounts of cash in one area.

Don't let strangers arrange hotels, cars, drugs or anything for you. This sounds easy enough to abide by, but there are people selling you washing powder instead of cocaine! or setting you up with a horrible hotel, that is actually some creepy apartment. Always try to consult a local tourist office or guide for all your needs.

If you want your photo taken, try your best to keep your camera within your party or to employees of a local business such as waiters at a restaurant etc. Be wary of strangers as it is not impossible to have lent your camera to a their who will just run away with it!

If you are a stopped by a law enforcement officer and are fined, you should request and take note of his/her badge and numbers. There are scammers dressed up as police officers that often try to dupe tourists into paying for fines.

In the event of an armed robbery, it is always best to be cooperative. Understandably it is extremely annoying to lose property, but your safety should come first and a criminal with a weapon should be dealt with in a calm and cooperative manner to avoid catastrophes.

In case of problems

The emergency services in the Netherlands can be reached by dialing, 112 from your telephone. Locals are generally helpful and fluent in English and will be more than happy to direct you to a local police station in the event you need assistance.

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