Concerns Over Safety in Oosterpark District Following Explosions and Shootings
Concerns Over Safety in Oosterpark District Following Explosions and Shootings
Despite an increase in violent incidents, the municipality denies criminal gang involvement, focusing on increased surveillance and community support to restore a sense of security.
The city council of Groningen is worried about the safety in the Oosterpark district after several recent incidents, including an explosion on Jan Groningerstraat earlier this month. Residents have reported feeling unsafe, and the number of reported incidents in the area has more than doubled in the past few years.
PVV councillor Kelly Blauw pointed to figures showing an increase in incidents in Oosterpark, from 183 in 2021 to 404 in 2023. She expressed concern about the growing sense of insecurity among residents.
"The stories we hear from people living in the area are shocking," said Blauw.
Blauw, along with the Stadsfeest Party, raised questions in the city council, asking if anything is being done to improve safety and if there is any information about who is responsible for the incidents.
Alderman Manouska Molema from GroenLinks acknowledged that the incidents are very troubling but said there is no evidence of criminal gangs being active in the Oosterpark district.
The alderman explained that the municipality and the WIJ team have been working with residents to understand what they need to feel safer. After the explosion on Jan Groningerstraat, city workers went door to door to listen to the concerns of the neighbourhood.
In response to the incidents, the municipality has deployed more police and BOAs (local law enforcement officers) to patrol the area. Molema said the city plans to continue this strategy in Oosterpark and other neighbourhoods whenever serious incidents occur.
Just before the explosion on Jan Groningerstraat, shots were fired at a car on Klaprooslaan in Oosterpark. In June, there was another explosion on Heesterlaan, and a person was injured in a shooting on Oliemuldersweg. Earlier in the year, a car with bullet holes was found on Slachthuisstraat.
The municipality says it will keep working closely with residents to improve safety in the neighbourhood.