In Nieuw-Weerdinge people are bothered by safelanders who come from or from Ter Apel. It is also busy at the station in Emmen, because many people change there to the bus to AZC there. The municipality is trying to tackle this together with the police, COA and other municipalities, but says that national help is needed.
The station in Emmen is not just a place to catch the train. Many different people come together: students, travelers, homeless people and asylum seekers. As a result, it is often restless in the area. That is why extra measures are being taken, such as extra cameras, more boas and police, better lighting and possibly ‘watching live on camera.’ The legal feasibility of the latter is still being investigated.
Boas maybe a baton
The municipality is also considering giving boas a baton. Opinions are divided on this. It benefits the safety of boas, but there is also the fear that boas will become too much like the police. A decision on this will be made in 2026.