The extra measures against nuisance caused by asylum seekers in Nieuw-Weerdinge seem to be bearing fruit. At the beginning of February, the municipality announced extra deployment of police, boas and street coaches. The interventions are a response to the experiences of villagers, who have been experiencing problems for some time.
According to village chairman Wim Katoen, security in the village has been increased considerably. “The boas and street coaches walk around from nine in the morning to twelve at night. That works well. We hardly see asylum seekers anymore. They are immediately approached and, where necessary, taken back to the azc in Ter Apel.”
After midnight, it’s just doom and gloom again. Attempted break-ins, theft and immoral behavior: it all comes back in the night hours. Someone was recently arrested in the Siepelveen area. There, a person with a claw hammer walked around a house.
The appreciation for the boas and the street coaches has therefore grown. “Initially, many villagers were skeptical, but their presence and commitment are greatly appreciated. If something is going on, they are quickly on the spot.” Nevertheless, the number of reports from the village to boa and street coach remains considerable, says Katoen. “As far as we are concerned, we should continue to maintain the current regime for the time being.”
Because according to Katoen, on the other hand, it also continues to mop with the tap open, given the nightly incidents. “Every sane person should understand that this is not a tenable situation.”
The village chairman does not want the AZC in Ter Apel to be unable to do more. A spokesperson indicated a month ago that the location cannot serve as a detention center. “You could draw up house rules. For example, that people are no longer allowed to leave the site after a certain time.”
Cotton has already been addressed several times by the national government, the municipalities of Emmen and Westerwolde and the province. Hosting refugees is a noble task. “And you really don’t have any problems with 98 percent at the AZC. But there are a number of those who abuse the situation in a horrific way. And that can’t go on like this any longer.”
Inquiries with the municipality of Emmen show that they also have the impression that it is relatively quiet. “We see few reports of incidents,” says a spokesperson. However, there are concerns about the large number of safe residents (250-300) currently staying in the azc. Mayor Eric van Oosterhout therefore calls for the rapid introduction of the distribution law, whereby reception places are better distributed throughout the Netherlands.
According to the spokesperson, consultations will soon take place between the municipality and Local Interest Nieuw-Weerdinge. The situation in the village is then evaluated.