How the Opperdoes bonfire got out of hand despite measures

The tradition reportedly starts without a fire on New Year’s Day. They then tear through the village with mopeds and cars. Over the years the bonfire is created. In the middle of the village near the Gouw.

But the fire is not limited to lighting wood. Trailers with mattresses and even caravans are set on fire. Things will go wrong in 2018 when tires are thrown into the fire. When the fire brigade arrives to put out the fire, the emergency workers are pelted with fireworks by bystanders.

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No one is arrested. The police only issue warnings because it concerns a large group. After addressing the bystanders, the throwing of fireworks is stopped and the fire is extinguished.

Many Opperdoezers are then Also done with the bonfire, although many residents do not dare to say that out loud. But Annie Rustenburg who lives right next to the location of the bonfire. “It makes no sense at all to do this. It’s really not normal,” she said at the time.

Firework throwers have regrets

The North Holland North Safety Region and the then mayor of Medemblik, Frank Streng, speak of what happened as a shame. The fireworks throwers themselves report anonymously to regret of their act.

Ultimately, the bonfire is allowed the following year just carry on. But with extra measures. There will be a container to light the fire in, so that it doesn’t get too big. There is extra supervision and cameras have also been installed. And with success, because in 2019 things are going smoothly.

After corona throws a spanner in the works and the bonfire cannot go ahead, it will be allowed again at the end of 2022. Again with strict measures. Documents obtained by NH and WEEFF through a request under the Open Government Act show that intensive preparations have taken place.

Allowing bonfire for fear of trouble

There is no organization and no permit is applied for. The municipality tolerates it “because it is estimated that otherwise a problem for public order would arise”, the documents read. But it also means that the municipality has a lot of work to do.

A risk analysis will be conducted by the North Holland North Safety Region in November, including a detailed scenario with possible consequences. The proposal is to place a container there ‘to control the size of the fire’. It is also recommended that the fire brigade not let the fire extinguish in the presence of the public, without support from the police.

The same police submit a request to designate the Shire as a safety risk area. This makes preventive searches possible. ‘An effective means of persuading people not to carry (heavy) fireworks, weapons and/or explosives, it says.

Area ban issued in advance

In the meantime, the parents of an underage boy have been issued with an area ban for New Year’s Day. Due to disrupting public order a year earlier, he is not allowed near the Shire. “I hope that you can also enter into a conversation with him about the behavior he has exhibited,” then acting mayor Dennis Straat concludes the letter.

At the beginning of December, a request for camera surveillance is submitted to the Public Prosecution Service, and a request is also made to make a pair of police officers available for Opperdoes on New Year’s Day. The devised strategy is also presented, as previously discussed with the safety region.

How things got out of hand again

After a parking ban has been imposed and signs have been placed, a briefing on the strategy to be followed will follow on the morning of December 31. A supervisor is added to keep an eye on the bonfire.

Messages and photos are shared via WhatsApp about how things are going. For example, how in a Facebook group people talk about setting the camera on fire or putting a bag over it.

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At 5:11 p.m. a message is sent: “I received information that something was already ready: caravan, car tires and fuel. But the question is whether they will light it there.” Meanwhile, the live image of the camera also appears to have gone out. The battery was empty due to intensive use. The images have been recorded.

Yet everything seems to be going smoothly. At 6:30 p.m., acting mayor Dennis Straat receives a message that everything went well: “Opperdoes is ready, everyone is gone. The container will be extinguished and removed in no time.”

Mayor’s app: ‘Incomprehensible and unacceptable’

But two hours later he received another message that fifteen minutes after everything had been removed, a caravan had been towed onto the Shire and set on fire. “Police and fire brigade are on site.” Street responds angrily: “Incomprehensible and unacceptable. Keep me informed!”

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By a quarter to ten, peace has returned, although the police are not sure and scale up in Opperdoes. “Okay, let’s hope for the best,” the mayor responds. It remains quiet afterwards, but the bonfire is enough for the community.

In addition to all the deployment of personnel, security, cameras, insurance and the container also cost the municipality several thousand euros. So this year everything will be different. No more bonfire, but a real village barbecue. Organized in consultation with the residents.