Unrest and violence in Buytenwegh: this is what is going on

There is great unrest among residents in the Buytenwegh district after a number of violent incidents. There has been enough about it in the media, but for those who missed it: we list all the facts for you.

A shooting in a playground, two explosives near a house and a bullet hole in another house are reasons for extra safety measures in three neighborhoods in Zoetermeer.

Shooting in playground

On Sunday afternoon, May 15, a shooting took place in a playground at the Paganinirode in the Buytenwegh district. A gunman shot and killed a 17-year-old man who was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The same day, eight suspects, aged between 16 and 21, were arrested, three of whom were allowed to go home. The other five remain in custody for more than two weeks.

The seriously injured man is known to the police. He was, among other things, the instigator of the stabbing in June 2021 at the Fonteinbos in Meerzicht. There, two boys aged 15 and 16 were stabbed on a skate field.

Explosives for someone else

In the night of Tuesday 17 to Wednesday 18 May, two explosives and a flammable substance were thrown into a home of a single woman on Madernarode through the letterbox. The heavy illegal fireworks resulted in black smoke, rubbish, glass and a blown over connecting door. The explosives were probably intended for someone else.

Information evening for the neighborhood

Mayor Michel Bezuijen sends out a clear signal: “I don’t want this in my city.” During an information evening, the mayor spoke to concerned residents. Together with the police, the municipality, the Public Prosecution Service, the district director and others, they listened to each other’s stories. “It is very much alive in the neighbourhood,” says the mayor. “Everyone is very scared. We want to gain a better understanding of street culture and where all this violence comes from.”

Safety precautions

The violence seems to be caused by quarrels between youth groups in our city. For example, there are groups in the Palenstein and Meerzicht districts that do not get along well. The mayor says that additional safety measures will apply until November 30. For example, there is a ban on gatherings in parts of the Buytenwegh, Meerzicht and Driemanspolder districts. The police, neighborhood work and enforcement maintain extra surveillance in Buytenwegh and Meerzicht, and extra camera surveillance will be installed in those weeks. In addition, the mayor will discuss whether there will be another district post in the Buytenwegh district. “This was requested by residents during the information evening.”

Source: AD Zoetermeer