Explosions as if bombs are going off, care providers who are bombarded with explosives and local residents who no longer dare to take the street in the evening. Mayor Mark Buijs talks about ‘explosion violence’ in the Roosendaalse neighborhoods Kroeven and Langdonk. “Our people are endangered and we do not tolerate that, we are going to bet firmly.” And that is why he comes with a whole list of measures.
Towards the turn of the year, residents of the two neighborhoods have been suffering from explosions and intimidations for years. But as early as now is new. “A lot of fireworks have been set out lately and that is not the case. It is also being used against people of us, against boas and police officers,” Mayor Buijs begins.
Always restless
This way a motorcycle agent was able to avoid an explosive net last weekend. “He still felt the pressure of the projectile. This could have ended completely differently.” The border has been reached for Buijs. “We must ensure that it gets safe on the street.” In an extra consultation on Thursday with the police and the Public Prosecution Service, the mayor comes with a list of measures, he says in a conversation with Omroep Brabant.
Local residents are afraid, so afraid that many do not dare to tell their story. “I fly a meter every time and it will continue all night,” says Tamara. “I don’t dare to go outside here in the neighborhood for a long time. It is always restless in the 4.5 years that I live here.”
Tamara is afraid of the coming months, towards the New Year. “Especially because they always do it under my balcony. I am afraid that a Cobra will land on my balcony and that all my windows are out.”
List of measures
Jolanda recognizes that fear and, when it is dark, no longer takes to the streets. “If they dare to throw those bombs at the police, they dare to do that to us of course.” It causes a lot of unrest with her and her neighbors. “It’s like they throw bombs in the back garden.”
The peace must return and local residents must feel safe again, says Mayor Buijs. “There will be a ban on face covering. When we violated these rules, we impose a penalty. Once again and you can pay a lot,” says Buijs.
In addition, the mayor in the General Local Regulation (APV) wants to include a ban on having fireworks or substances that can be used as an explosive way. “If we find people in an order disturbance with those things, then that has major financial consequences. I hope that parents with children will start thinking so well.”
In deployment of police
They are measures that the city council should approve in two weeks. But a number of rules can be used within a few days. “There will be a prohibition of gathering and we want to impose area bans.” Young people between the ages of 10 and 18 also receive a letter from the mayor with a warning in Roosendaal. “And young people who have been arrested, I invite with their parents for a conversation with me,” says the mayor.
“I don’t know if this will give peace, but I think so. This is what we can do and what the police need. We are going to get there firmly and also increase the deployment of the police,” Buijs concludes.