“We have it damn good in the Netherlands”, tries alderman Louis Swinkels of the municipality of Someren. From the hall, with about 150 inhabitants, laughter is heard. “I also appeal to humanity in Someren,” says the alderman. “We want to assist these people in the darkest two months of the year.”
The plans of the municipal council to receive 450 asylum seekers for two months in group accommodation De Hoof in Someren are not well received in this room on this Tuesday evening. Mayor Dilia Blok and alderman Louis Swinkels are mainly confronted with fierce remarks and jeering. Blok tries to counter the ‘statement’ of a resident that 90 percent of Someren is against. “A lot of people have also reported to me who think we can take care of these people.”
This concerns a group of asylum seekers who will be traveling around in the 21 municipalities of the Brabant-Zuidoost security region from mid-July. They travel from sports hall to sports hall, where they stay for about three weeks each time. Waalre, Best, Heeze, Mierlo and Hapert have already provided shelter for the group. Helmond will also provide shelter and Someren wants to shelter the group for eight weeks in December and January. These are people who cannot go to Ter Apel and who still have to be screened.
“They’re just people like you and me”
There is great distrust among the residents of Someren, who have come to the open evening. For example, the announcement that the police will be called in the event of a nuisance can count on laughter. The offer to send a security guard along with a woman who indicates that she does not feel safe: laughter. That after the end date there might be an extension for half of the group who can then stay a little longer: jeering.
Project leader Paul van Dooren of the Security Region is doing everything he can to remove the fear of nuisance and the feelings of insecurity among residents. “They’re just people like you and me. They have families. There is often a very wrong image of asylum seekers. There is a lot of prejudice. We have people from all over the world in this group. People from Russia, Colombia, Venezuela or Africa. “
“If you tell them to go where they want, I don’t feel safe”
According to Van Dooren, 25 people from the group have now been sent back to Ter Apel because they did not comply with the rules. “It wasn’t about personal attacks or harassing women. It was about theft from a supermarket, not paying on a terrace or asking for drugs. Everything you hear from Budel is all true, but with us it plays a role not this at all.” scornful laughter.
Female residents are concerned about the statement that asylum seekers can come and go as they please. “It’s not a prison,” says Dilia Blok. “If you tell them to go where they want, I don’t feel safe,” says one woman. Paul van Dooren offers a security guard. “But practice shows that it is never used.”
“Apparently Someren wants to be the best boy in the class”
“We receive more people than other municipalities and also for a longer period of time,” says a man from the hall. “Apparently Someren wants to be the best boy in the class.” And just like with other walk-in evenings, you can hear the sound of why it can’t be smaller. “You can also start with fifty people who integrate,” says a woman. “Then you add fifty and the earlier group can educate the new people a bit. Research has proven it works.” Another resident wonders why all 21 municipalities do not receive 20 people. “Then you may be able to let people stay longer and you will have much more support.”
According to Paul van Dooren, it is a good idea to take a look at the phased introduction of residents. He also wants to look at the option of 20 residents in all 21 municipalities. “All kinds of options are being looked at for more permanent shelter, but we’re just not there yet.”
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