‘Mouse City’, that is how part of the Sluisdijkbuurt in Den Helder is known. Narrow, covered passages between and under the houses. “Attractive shortcuts for dealers and users,” says local police officer Rolf Regtop. He is there almost every day to limit the nuisance from dealers and drug users as much as possible. Scattered on the ground are bags of cannabis and hard drugs. There is even a pipe for smoking crack.
During his rounds with NH, several residents approach the local police officer. Two people are removing the remains of poop in front of the door. They also just approached a user who was hanging around: “It’s really crazy. We’re cleaning every day. Look, the bottle of vinegar is behind the door. As soon as you’re out of here, they’ll be smoking or snorting again.”
Mom, what does that man want?
Although residents indicate that these are nice homes, it does not always feel safe. Another resident shows a video from the surveillance camera at her front door. “Last night, a man stood at my house knocking and shouting through my mailbox. Half an hour later he came back with a balaclava on. My children were crying. They shouted: ‘Mommy, what does that man want?’ I’m scared, so are my children.”
It happens more often, the woman says. Other men also come to the door regularly. “He should probably be at another home,” says the police officer. “Yes, everything looks the same here. We are going to see who it is and talk to him so that he should not come to the door anymore.”
