The Drenthe authorities put their heads together to coordinate their offensive. According to Van Oosterhout, all parties are aware of this, but the problem requires tailor-made solutions. “Crime does not say: we will work in Emmen, but not in Borger-Odoorn. It is spreading throughout the province. So if you want to tackle that, you have to do it together.”
The spearhead of policy is awareness among citizens. For example, farmers are talking about unsavory types who are targeting their barns. “Don’t be naive,” Van Oosterhout emphasizes.
Another campaign focuses on young people. “They are extremely attractive for lending out their debit card.” Young people give in when they are paid to hand over their passes. This then leads to criminal activities. “We show the outside world: boys, pay attention, because subversion is happening right before your eyes.”
Although alertness is required, people sometimes shy away from tipping off shady practices. Van Oosterhout understands that, and takes another example from the drawer. “If someone is walking their dog in the evening and sees all kinds of activity on the business park, then that can of course be the case. You don’t have to do anything about it, but it is not wrong to report it to the local police officer.”
Is it enough to suppress subversive crime? “We have to get to work,” Van Oosterhout gives the order. “Don’t just think about Brabant or Limburg. It also happens in Drenthe.”
Watch the conversation in Cassata with Eric van Oosterhout, mayor of Emmen, below: