More checks and enforcement by the police and the installation of cameras. These are some of the measures that the municipality of Emmen is taking against nuisance caused by asylum seekers in Nieuw-Weerdinge. In addition, the municipality will deploy street coaches and a village inspection will be carried out to unsafe places.
The villagers have been experiencing great nuisance for some time due to a small number of asylum seekers who walk between Emmen and the AZC in Ter Apel. Burglaries, disturbances and strolling in gardens create a great sense of insecurity in the village.
The municipality of Emmen has therefore decided, in consultation with the police and Local Interest Nieuw-Weeringe, to take additional measures. Mayor Eric van Oosterhout: “We have looked together at what we can do to prevent the situation in the village from getting out of hand and residents to take up their own court.”
According to the mayor, however, it remains ‘patchwork’ at the back. “I appeal to the politicians in The Hague to see how you can prevent this kind of nuisance. It is a small group of people who ruin it for others. This is at the expense of support for the reception of asylum seekers.”
Village chairman Wim Katoen says he is happy with the steps taken. “Many residents experience insecurity because of these young lads. They are safelanders, not regular asylum seekers. We do not experience any problems with the latter group.”
Two weeks ago, according to Katoen, things got out of hand again. “A woman and a group of children were intimidated by a group. Then it was enough for me. I called the municipality with the urgent request that something had to be done, otherwise things will go wrong.”
Whether the measures are sufficient must be assessed. Cotton would rather see The Hague make itself heard. “It is time for national politics to step up and realize what is happening behind Zwolle. These people belong in a closed complex and simply should not go out on the street anymore. I think that is where the solution lies.”