Mayor Mark Buijs van Roosendaal wants to ‘do everything it can’ to prevent the man who led to his home in Fatimawijk for hours last week. “We’re going to see if we can give him a different place. But it is ultimately up to the man himself whether he agrees. We cannot force him to do so,” says Buijs.
Mayor Buijs responds to the feelings of insecurity in the neighborhood after the hours of surrounding his house last Thursday afternoon and evening. He threatened to do something about himself and others in the house.
According to eyewitnesses, he would also have walked around with a weapon on the street. After an hour of surrounding, the police managed to get him out of his house without any problems.
Good guidance
After the man’s arrest, Burgemeester Buijs spoke for hours with local residents. “It has had an incredible impact. Certainly also with a number of children who were really upset after seeing weapons in the neighborhood. Fortunately we were able to guide parents well and offer opportunities for further help. On Friday we also offered them space in a tent in the neighborhood to be able to tell their story.”
Buijs continues: “During the incident, two schools were evacuated. I want to give them a big compliment about how they dealt with this. That was very professional.”
Safety Wijk is paramount
According to local residents, the man is struggling with psychological problems. His lawyer does not make any announcements about this. Buijs also does not want to say anything about this: “That is up to the court. In the meantime, we will see whether guidance is needed for the man. Or whether we should take other measures for the protection of the residents. We are fully engaged in that and I am confident in a good solution.”
The half neighborhood was closed by heavily armed agents:
Next Wednesday the man will be brought before the council chamber. He decides whether he should stay stuck until the lawsuit starts. Mayor Buijs is happy that the incident finally ended with a Sisser. “Given the enormous upscaling of different police services, this could have ended differently. Of course I am extremely relieved afterwards.”
On Tuesday it was announced that the judiciary suspects the man of illegal possession of weapons and threat. He will certainly be stuck until Wednesday. According to his lawyer, her client was in possession of an airgun. Whether he had other weapons, she doesn’t want to say them.
Legally regulated
It may seem strange that a mayor cannot simply have a confused person who threatens people. Nevertheless, this is consciously regulated in the Compulsory Mental Health Care Act (WVGGZ).
Only with a medical statement from a doctor (usually a psychiatrist) can a mayor take a crisis measure for forced admission.
A mayor can therefore never make such a decision on the basis of only behavior or reports. Moreover, not all people who exhibit confused behavior are a mental disorder. Alcohol or drugs can also be the cause of this.
Without a crisis measure, it is a suspicion of criminal offenses to intervene. The court will later decide whether or not someone is notable.
