It is busy on and around Stationsplein and incidents regularly occur, especially in the evening and at night. The large number of people hanging around on the square also creates a feeling of insecurity.
According to the mayor, the police and enforcement do a lot of surveillance, yet robberies and assaults are regularly reported. “My decision to install camera surveillance is necessary to improve public order and quality of life,” says Wienen.
The municipality is working together with the police and the Dutch Railways to tackle the nuisance on the square. The entire Station Square must be covered by camera surveillance. The hope is that the cameras serve as a deterrent. In addition, the images help the police in the investigation if an incident does occur.
Dark tunnel becomes a cozy living room
The camera surveillance only applies to Stationsplein, reports a spokesperson for the municipality. And therefore not for the tunnel under the railway in Kruisstraat. And that is precisely one of the places that many people consider very unsafe.
That’s why Dolle Mina Haarlem will transform that tunnel into a real living room next Sunday. With rugs, houseplants, music and good lighting. Sunday is December 21, so the longest night of the year.
“It is a notorious point,” says Jacqueline van Kampen of Dolle Mina Haarlem. “Women really don’t dare to cycle there when it is dark.” She is therefore surprised that no camera is placed in the tunnel.
‘No one has to take a detour tonight’
“That’s really a missed opportunity. Why don’t they also hang a camera there? Why do you just skip that point? Incomprehensible!” You can of course take a detour or cycle via the other tunnel under the railway. But the slogan of Dolle Mina’s campaign is correct: ‘No one has to take a detour tonight’. The action starts on Sunday at 5 p.m.
Dolle Mina is organizing similar actions on Sunday in Alkmaar and Amsterdam, among others.