The fair in Breda’s Ginneken is canceled this year. Last year the atmosphere was ruined by a group of young people. They harassed others and people felt threatened. The police had to intervene several times. The organization is now not getting a permit for this year.
The organization has not made it clear in the submitted plans how it wants to prevent unrest this year, according to the municipality. The first classified plan was insufficient. That is why the police had asked for additional information. But the supplemented plan was also insufficient. It also turned out that the hired security company does not have a permit to perform security work.
The fair was planned from August 31 to September 4. The organization will not get a chance to submit new plans again.
Police Capacity
“It is not considered realistic that the organization would be able to realize all the missing measures within a week. Moreover, any problems could not be taken care of by the police, which already have limited capacity,” says the municipality.
The Breda deputy mayor Arjen van Drunen understands that fairground visitors are disappointed. “I can imagine that many residents, entrepreneurs and the fairground operators have been looking forward to the fair in the Ginneken. However, as Deputy Mayor I am responsible for the public order and safety of all these parties. These were insufficiently guaranteed and therefore I cannot grant a permit.”
Catering disappointed
Johan de Vos, foreman of Koninklijke Horeca Breda, has a café (Boerke Verschuren) on the Ginnekenmarkt. He is disappointed that the fair has been cancelled. “A 58-year-old tradition is being destroyed by last year’s events. But then there was a high fence around the fair due to corona and access restrictions. This year that fence would not be there, so you have a much better view of what people are at. the houses and at the fair. It’s more open. That makes a real difference.”
According to him, cancellation was not immediately necessary, even though he realizes that it is difficult to get good security guards due to staff shortages. De Vos hopes that the organization and the municipality will evaluate well, so that the fair can continue next year. “As a catering entrepreneur, you try to pay off the debts built up in corona time. Then it would be very nice if you would have an event.”