The youth violence that takes place in the IJmond is clearly about two groups, reports Mayor Martijn Smit. “That is horrible, but other young people can go to school safely.”
“We now have a better picture of the situation,” says the mayor of Beverwijk. According to him, it concerns two groups of young people who are on in succession. “That is horrible, but has no further influence on other young people.” That is why he emphasizes that the municipality is committed to getting ‘normal life’ back to the city.
Yet he supports the decision to issue an emergency order in the past few days and to set up a safety risk area. “We heard so many messages on Thursday evening about children who did not dare to go to school, that half -filled classes was also not an option. It is a complicated dilemma, because such a decision can also have a frightening effect.”
Smit sees the effect that social media has on the young people. “Many people were anxious about what they saw on social media. I understand very well that you get scared and nervous.”