Mayor Wever Takes Additional Measures Against Youth-Related Nuisances: Heerlerheide-Passart and Vrieheide-De Stack Designated as Safety-Risk Areas

Information from the police and reports from residents indicate that several young people are involved in the disturbances. Residents are feeling increasingly unsafe. There is also a risk of violence in the neighborhood. Last week’s events and Sunday’s shooting incident are examples of this.

What is a security risk area?

The police will have more authority to take action. They will be allowed to conduct preventive searches of people without any suspicion. This is permitted only with the approval of the public prosecutor.

In the security risk area designated by the mayor, the police may, with the permission of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, conduct preventive searches without any suspicion. The security risk area is in effect from 5:00 p.m. on August 17 until 5:00 a.m. on August 18. On the same day, it will be extended until September 18.

Roel Wever, Mayor: 

“I absolutely will not tolerate the behavior of these young people. That is why I am taking action, together with the police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, to make the neighborhood safer through preventive searches. We are also scaling up police and enforcement presence in the area. A good example of this is last Thursday’s operation, during which the police and enforcement agencies conducted a large-scale operation in the neighborhood, resulting in multiple arrests and the imposition of area exclusion orders. I maintain close contact with the police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and we are united in our resolve: We are doing everything we can to protect the safety and quality of life of residents.”

Possible additional measures

If the situation persists, the mayor is considering further measures. For example, a ban on gatherings. Under such a ban, certain individuals would no longer be allowed to gather in groups in the area during a specific period. Mayor Wever: “In the coming days and weeks, we will continue to monitor the situation closely together, and I will take immediate action again if necessary.”