Neighborhood coaches have been in the starting blocks for months to improve the quality of life in the Kalsdonk district in Roosendaal, but official wrangling over volunteer compensation threatens to kill the initiative. “We are again being left to our own devices by the municipality, I am really angry,” says initiator Nurcan Akakça (64).
Shortly after a shooting in March this year, the municipality of Roosendaal had had enough. In addition to measures such as extra camera surveillance and more police surveillance, Mayor Han van Midden decided to look for a lasting solution to the problems with representatives of the former residents’ platform. One of the most important outcomes was the plan to revive the project with neighborhood coaches.
From 2005 to 2013, the neighborhood coaches were the eyes and ears in the neighborhood, with special attention to young people. Nurcan was also involved in the initiative on behalf of the residents’ platform. According to Nurcan, the coaches were successful in Kalsdonk.
“It was really much safer in the neighborhood.”
“We had volunteers with a Turkish, Moroccan and Dutch background who commanded respect from the young people. They knew that we knew their parents and that had a major preventive effect. It was really much safer in the neighborhood. I even dare to say that we have managed to keep a number of boys out of crime. Something that is greatly needed now.”
According to Nurcan, the mayor responded enthusiastically when she proposed reintroducing neighborhood coaches. “We immediately got to work and in a short time we have again found fifteen volunteers who want to become neighborhood coaches. It is now nine months later and we still have not started, people are now dropping out again.”
In a recent email exchange to the initiators, which Omroep Brabant had access to, an official involved stated that although the municipality is still ‘going all the way’, the requested volunteer compensation may be a problem. The municipality does not want the project to be favored over other initiatives in the city. The official apologizes for the course of events.
Nurcan does not understand it: “We are being kept on a string by the municipality.” She receives support from Hans Fronczek, who, as Kalsdonker, also feels closely involved in the neighborhood: “It’s about the gesture. Compensation gives people a bit of self-esteem to the volunteers who are willing to be visibly present at all hours of the day.”
According to Fronczek, the compensation ensures that it is no longer optional for the volunteers. “In addition, as a municipality you must be prepared to invest in the neighborhood. This concerns a maximum of 1,500 euros per volunteer per year.”
“When the mayor is away, the officials have free rein.”
Nurcan receives support from Peter Raijmaekers of the largest opposition party, the Roosendaalse Lijst. “When the mayor makes a commitment, he must keep it and provide clarity quickly. This is taking way too long. Given the added value of the neighborhood coaches, compensation would not be out of place.”
When asked, party leader Alex Raggers of the largest local party, the Free Liberal Party (VLP), stated that he could not yet provide any substantive comment.
Next spring, Mayor Han van Midden will leave Roosendaal. Nurcan Akakça fears that this will put the project in a drawer forever. “When the mayor is away, the civil servants have free rein. But then they figure it out. I stuck my neck out. At some point it stops.”
Would you like to share your story about Kalsdonk with us? Omroep Brabant is located in Buurtcentrum Kalsdonk at Rector Hellemonsstraat 2a in Roosendaal from Monday, November 27 to Friday, December 1. You can also email us at [email protected] or app us on 040-2949492.
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