Begging is permitted... except in most large municipalities

_{By Esther van der Meer}

The ban on begging in the Netherlands was removed from the Criminal Code in 2000, but begging is still not permitted in many places. In fact, measures in General Local Regulations have made the rules even stricter than before.

This is evident from research conducted by lawyers Els Schipaanboord, Stefan van Tongeren and Michel Vols from the Faculty of Law.

Four years of research on begging compiled

Their findings can be read in the recently published book 'Zichtbaar onzichtbaar: bedelen in onze samenleving' (Visibly invisible: begging in our society), which compiles four years of research on begging in Belgium and the Netherlands. Els Schipaanboord: "How do we deal with people who, on the one hand, sometimes cause nuisance but, on the other hand, are also vulnerable and homeless? That was our central question."

To answer this question, the researchers delved into the general local regulations of the 45 largest municipalities in the Netherlands. What did they find? Although the only ban on begging in the Netherlands is on public transport, 90 per cent of municipalities have taken additional measures to prohibit begging.

These include fines for begging, for example. But area bans can also be imposed to keep homeless people who cause nuisance out of a certain area. Violating such an area ban is a criminal offence and can ultimately lead to community service or imprisonment and, in some cases, even treatment measures.

Schipaanboord: "We not only looked at what measures are in place, but also to what extent they are enforced. For example, you can see that over the past 12 years, 1.2 million euro in fines have been imposed for begging, including fines on public transport."

You can't get blood out of a stone

The majority of these fines are not collected – you can't get blood out of a stone – but they are not waived either. "Suppose someone like that does get a house, then someone will immediately be on their doorstep to collect that fine."

According to the researchers, this policy is at odds with the government's goal of completely ending homelessness by 2030. In fact, in recent years we have seen an increase in the number of homeless people and the nuisance that goes with it.

Schipaanboord: "There have been so many cuts to social services and shelters in recent years. And then there is also the housing shortage."

Nevertheless, there are also hopeful developments. For example, the number of fines for begging is decreasing, and the Leiden city council recently decided to no longer enforce the ban on begging in the APV (General Local Regulation), while Zwolle voted to abolish the local ban.

The solution does not lie in stricter regulations

Schipaanboord welcomes these developments. "The solution to nuisance caused by homeless people does not lie in stricter regulations. Provide enough shelters, and not just when it's freezing. Work according to the principle of housing first: make sure people have a roof over their heads and then, if necessary, work on their other problems, such as kicking their drug habit or getting out of debt."

And in the meantime, you can also help out a little yourself. Buy the Riepe, get something from the supermarket for the homeless person standing at your door, ask how they are doing. Schipaanboord: "I often get a carton of juice, something to eat, and strike up a conversation. A society is measured by how we treat people who are struggling. Caring for others starts with not looking away."

The book 'Zichtbaar onzichtbaar, bedelen in onze samenleving' (Visibly invisible, begging in our society) has been published by Owl Press. The official presentation will take place in Brussels on 20 March.