The boas in Emmen must be equipped with a baton. To this end, the political groups awaken, the VVD and the SP during the Thursday meeting on Thursday. The three parties point to the ongoing violence in, among other things, nuisance in Nieuw-Weerdinge and the station area of Emmen.
According to the petitioners, the boas are increasingly confronted with threatening violence and they are more and more an extension of the police. It is necessary that they must therefore be better protected, according to the groups.
In recent months things went wrong more often in Emmen. Earlier this month things went wrong in the Hoofdstraat during the Cultural Uitfestival. Three young men were heavily hit by a group of men. In August a boy in Angelslo were attacked with sticks and rods after a visit to the Golden Arrow.
Matthijs Katerbarg (Wakker Emmen) labeled the aforementioned incidents as ‘unmense situations’ and ‘not appropriate to the character of our municipality.’ According to him, it is about incidents of unprecedented scale. “We have been registering a lot of violence and aggression in Emmen for a long time, especially in the station area and during events.”
According to Katerbarg, this involves more than just a reduced sense of security: the figures simply indicate it. “The number of reports of confused amount, violence against care providers and young people who are confronted with violence: it increases nationally. And we see that in Emmen.” According to him, the BOAs are also confronted with it more. “So we have to give them the right resources”, in which he proposed the short baton. “
That fact immediately led to a broad discussion that went in all directions. Joey Koops from D66 threw out that the boas themselves feel nothing for armament, as it turned out during an information meeting in May. The PvdA questioned the effectiveness of the short baton. “We don’t create false security like that,” said councilor Arno de Vries. “The best weapon is still their mouths.”
The council also asked aloud whether alternatives such as Bodycams (CDA) and Pepperspray (50PLUS) are not worth considering. GroenLinks feared that the baton could actually have a provocative effect.
Katerbarg pointed out once more about research and positive experiences from other municipalities. Moreover, the youngest guard within the boas would certainly feel something for the baton. And with regard to the fear of GroenLinks: “I don’t think BOAs will act like a Rambo,” said Katerbarg. “It’s a defense. You don’t solve everything with it. But you give the boas more certainty.”
Mayor Eric van Oosterhout acknowledged the importance of the discussion, but also commented. “It is a dilemma in which both sides have valid arguments. Van Oosterhout pointed out that Emmen is still a relatively safe municipality.” And we have already taken steps towards the use of bodycams and handcuffs. “
The mayor emphasized that the armament of BOAs is not just a local decision. “Both the police and the Public Prosecution Service are critical. And even if the city council agrees, the application still has to go through a complicated process, in which the minister must ultimately agree. That is not a simple route.”
That safety in and around Emmen is high in the city council was evident from another motion that was brought into position. VVD and Hart voor Emmen hammered in more camera surveillance in the Angelslo, Emmerhout and the Emmer Center area.
The proposal requires a targeted investigation into so -called ‘hotspots’ where extra cameras can be placed. Robart de Jong (Hart voor Emmen) emphasized its importance. “Almost everyone has seen the images of the abuse in the Hoofdstraat. Such incidents cause a lot of unrest. People stay at home. In several neighborhoods there is now a great sense of insecurity. Shooting incidents, fights: the size is really full.”
According to De Jong, smart cameras that recognize suspicious movements and can be read live are a necessary part of the solution. “Camera surveillance is not a panacea, but it does help.” Perpetrators know that they are being admitted, and that works preventively, says De Jong.
Mayor Eric van Oosterhout said in response to the motion that the college is already investigating the expansion of camera surveillance, including in the center. “I endorse the content of the motion, but it is a bit double. We are already working on this.”
Nevertheless, he indicated that new technologies, such as cameras that respond to certain behaviors and can be read live, may be a supplement. “It is one drawer in a larger cupboard of measures, but it helps. Manning those cameras is still a challenge, but we are investigating that.”
Despite the different views, both motions were adopted.