Community crime prevention and the ‘partnership approach’ in Belgium: escaping from determinism

Abstract

Belgium has experienced widespread change in its public sector.The author describes the structure of community safety provision that has resulted. This article describes research conducted in 4 Belgian cities. It argues for a conflict-accepting model of partnership where the differing philosophies of the constituent agencies are accepted and where human creativity is respected.Such a model will reduce the problem of differential power relations that can lead to the exclusion of some social groups.