 Some sources blame connections in the television world for attracting crime to Hilversum; the town has had to cope with mounting drug-related issues in a community with higher than average unemployment and ongoing housing shortage.Hilversum was one of the first towns to have a local party of the populist movement called "Leefbaar" ("liveable").Founded by former social-democrat party strongman Jan Nagel, it was initially held at bay for alderman positions.