No military police are deployed in Nieuw-Weerdinge to prevent nuisance from mainly safelanders in the village. A request from the municipality of Emmen was rejected by the Ministry of Justice and Security.
Mayor Eric van Oosterhout is disappointed with that decision and is irritated about the course of events. “I think it’s a shame. I didn’t ask for a whole platoon of military police officers, but for couples,” he responds. “It goes wrong in two ways: the application is not only rejected, but also with a very short note.”
Van Oosterhout continues: “It also has to do with administrative standards. If something is difficult, please call me so we can discuss it.” The mayor also does not know why his request was rejected. “The note doesn’t actually state a reason.” Moreover, Van Oosterhout was told about the rejection by the police chief in Emmen.
Local residents have been experiencing nuisance for some time around Nieuw-Weerdinge and the registration center for asylum seekers in Ter Apel. The nuisance mainly comes from so-called safelanders, i.e. asylum seekers from safe countries who have virtually no chance of applying for asylum.