Although the threat to the two homes on the Roef is still very high, consideration is already being given to the return of the residents. Mayor Niek Meijer says that the municipality has carefully polled the neighborhood about this, because their return is certainly the starting point. According to the mayor, it should not be forgotten that the residents brought to safety ‘are also victims’.
On Sunday 3 July, the residents of Roef 3 and 6 were rushed out of their homes. Information from the police and the Public Prosecution Service (OM) showed that there was a serious threat to these two houses. The mayor closed the houses for ten days.
Little is known about what exactly is going on. The municipality has since announced that it concerns a dispute in the drug environment.
A week later, in the night of Saturday 9 to Sunday 10 July, despite increased surveillance, a bomb went off for number 3. The house was heavily damaged. The front door was out and all the windows were smashed as a result of the huge blow. The two neighboring houses also suffered damage, forcing the residents to be temporarily relocated.
In an uproar
It was clear to everyone that the threat was serious. The neighborhood was therefore in turmoil and the fear was good. On that Sunday morning, a number of residents told NH Nieuws, when emotions were very high, that they do not consider a return of the two families possible. But that is the goal in the long run, according to the mayor.
In fact; During a residents’ meeting in the Thomaskerk, the municipality and the police have already asked what local residents think about a return and what it takes to realize this in a good way. This way the neighbors can already think about it and at the same time get used to the idea. Meijer does add that it is all still very early.
“I am impressed by the resilience of the neighbourhood. People really want to move forward”
More than a week and a half after the explosion, the mayor sees that the neighborhood is reasonably calm. Victim support and the GGD are now assisting local residents. They help them process the violent events of the past few weeks.
Peace and clarity is what benefits the neighborhood, says Meijer. In addition to the still present threat, the mayor has decided to close the two homes for another 28 days from the point of view of restoring calm. Because he cannot continue to extend the closure indefinitely, the judge has to check that every time, and in the meantime a return of the residents must be considered.
Earlier this week, the mayor visited the street. He has been able to observe with his own eyes and ears that the neighborhood is slowly returning to the old situation. “I am impressed by the resilience in the neighbourhood. People really want to move forward,” notes Meijer.
The mayor himself has not heard any noises that a return of the two families is undesirable. He believes in the power of democracy. “The basic principle is that people will come back. We also receive people who have come out of prison. I always find that impressive”, is the example he gives. The big difference is that in this case the Roef residents do know the entire background.
Sealed homes
For now, there is no return. In any case, the resident of number 3 has an area ban, which is still in force for more than two weeks. In addition, the two homes will remain closed until Friday 19 August. No one is allowed to enter a sealed home, police chief Carmen van den Bogaert makes clear. Meijer can, however, make a different decision in the meantime if the threat is less.
The badly damaged house cannot be refurbished in that period, although the mayor is prepared to make an exception. Then housing association De Alliantie must submit a request to him, after which Meijer will seriously consider this wish.