Since December, there have been 3 youth enforcement officers from the municipality active in Delfshaven. And no, they are not just there to issue fines. We want to help young people, thats what its all about.
What can we do for you? That is the question that Jeffrey, Jaimiron, and Rewin ask most often to the young people they encounter on the street. Because, to immediately clear up a misunderstanding: As youth enforcement officers, we are not really into issuing fines.
As special enforcement officers (boa), they can do that. Just like they can also put someone in handcuffs. And of course, says Jeffrey: Sometimes you have no choice. But we prefer to look for why someone is misbehaving. What is going on? Rewin adds: People are not bad because they are bad. I dont believe in that. There is often something behind it.
Building Trust
Building trust is therefore an important condition. That is what Jeffrey, Jaimiron, and Rewin have been fully engaged in over the past few months. They visit places where young people often gather, initiating conversations.
For example, we also have a soccer ball with us, so we can play a game. That often works well.
But of course, those first conversations dont always go smoothly. Jeffrey points to his uniform and simply says: Those young people do not always have good experiences with people in uniforms. You really have to prove yourself.
According to Rewin, it is especially important to be authentic. Whether I have a uniform on or not: I am still the same Rewin, I am just myself. If you are not, if you take on a role or something like that, they will see right through it.
Experience
In Delfshaven, the youth enforcement officers are still building up. They are not doing this alone; they work closely with youth workers in the area and also with the police. And they primarily engage with many young people.
But what can they actually do for them? A whole lot, Rewin and Jeffrey say immediately. From practical things – help in finding a job or internship – to the less practical things. Listening and giving advice is also a very important part of the work.
In doing so, we all bring our own history with us, says Rewin. He points to himself: I grew up in the South, spent a lot of time on the street. Lets say I dont only have positive experiences with the police. And I find it nice now that I can share those experiences and sometimes tell a young person: dont make the same mistakes I made.
Jeffrey also recognizes this. He says: It is just beautiful to help young people, really help them. Thats what its all about.
Contact
Young people can easily and accessibly contact the youth enforcement officers via a private message on their Instagram accounts: @jeugdboa010_jai. Link opens an external page, @jeugdboa010_reee. Link opens an external page or @jeugdboa010_jefff. Link opens an external page. More information can also be found at rotterdam.nl/handhaving.
Rotterdam Neighborhood News
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