150 registrations for the Halsema search initiative: ‘We do not screen participants in advance’ | Inland

Halsema’s call sparked some outrage on social media. JA21 councilor Annabel Nanninga wrote on Twitter: “The deployment of ‘observers’ shows great and unjustified mistrust in our police.” And former police spokesman Klaas Wilting previously told De Telegraaf that he completely disagrees with the call. “It’s absurd. A real shame. It means that the police are not trusted. The corps leadership should have resisted this tooth and nail.”

Appointment

When asked, the police themselves said: “The fact that independent observers watch searches is an agreement that has been made within the triangle and which has been approved by the city council. We therefore have no objection from the police in the context of transparency and accountability of our actions.”

According to a spokeswoman for Halsema, thirty observers are in principle needed, but it is being examined whether this can be expanded a bit. The idea was to include two people for each check, which will be carried out on a trial basis in five neighborhoods in September. “We are now looking at whether it can be three. We are still discussing this with the police.”

People are not screened

The people who signed up first are eligible. Everyone can join. “We do not screen people in advance,” said the spokeswoman. Although the total number of registrations is much higher than necessary, she thinks it is nice that there are enough people on hand.

The weapons checks are in five neighbourhoods: Bijlmer-Centrum, Burgwallen Nieuwe Zijde, Geuzenveld, the Dapperbuurt and the Waterlandpleinbuurt. The gun control trial is intended to reduce gun ownership in the city, especially among young people. There are regular incidents involving weapons involving young people.

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