Despite joint preparation last week, the municipality of Groningen and the police had no indications of disturbances at the fair in the Reitdiephaven.
Mayor Koen Schuiling said this on Wednesday after questions from the City Party 100% Groningen about violence and destruction by young troublemakers in the vicinity of the fair. In a brief retrospective in the city council, the mayor outlined a situation in which the municipality, police, neighborhood organizations and youth workers felt overwhelmed by the situation this Easter weekend.
They paid a lot of attention to the fair in advance. “Youth boas who know the faces and names of many young people were also involved in preparatory consultations. The organization of the fair deployed two security guards. Security was scaled up last Monday. “In our view, in the run-up to the fair, all eyes and ears were open,” said Schuiling.
‘Very unsafe situation’
Nevertheless, things went wrong and the police subsequently confirmed reports of threats and the abuse of a minor. Councilor Niels Hilboesen (City Party) also mentioned robberies and smashed windows during question time in the city council. “It was a very unsafe situation. Police and boas were pushed back.”
According to the mayor, the latter is factually incorrect. The impression that the deployment of the Mobile Unit was necessary is also incorrect. “The riot police have not been in the area.” Local residents confirm the report that the situation got out of hand. They talk about an extreme evening with many riots, a threatening and intimidating atmosphere and fights.
More violent incidents
In addition to the fairground riots, the City Party 100% Groningen also asked for clarification about unrest in the nightlife. “Does the mayor also see a pattern in violent crimes?” councilor Yaneth Menger wanted to know. Schuiling: “We see major acts of violence in nightlife. I share the council’s concerns. We see a huge amount of people in the entertainment area. This in combination with drug and alcohol use.”
The council identifies the number of incidents and, in collaboration with the catering industry, examines whether additional administrative measures are possible. “We are still talking about camera surveillance,” said Schuiling, who knows that some political parties are not in favor of more cameras in the city center from a privacy perspective.
Tags: Groningen attacked disturbances fair efforts youth boas security guards
