Faced with rising crime linked to migrants, Dutch citizens have organized citizen patrols, sparking a debate over the repercussions of open border policies and underscoring the call for prioritizing citizens’ safety and even considering deportations.
Ter Apel, Netherlands – In response to escalating crime rates and a surge in incidents involving asylum seekers, a vigilante group in the village of Ter Apel, Netherlands, has independently initiated measures to address the situation. These efforts include conducting patrols, utilizing a dedicated app system, and engaging in civilian arrests. The group’s recent success in apprehending two asylum seekers from Algeria has sparked a debate about the extent to which citizens should be involved in law enforcement matters, and why the left-wing government is not closing the borders and deporting the threats to their citizens before crimes occur.
Ter Apel, a village grappling with a surge of incidents involving asylum seekers primarily from North Africa, has seen a dramatic rise in shop thefts, violence, and other disturbances. Despite efforts to enforce stricter rules for asylum seekers, the problems persisted, prompting some residents to form a patrol group.
One patrol group member recounted a recent incident, saying, “I woke up at 4:15 in the morning. I heard the noise of the gate behind our house. I looked out the window. I saw two guys walking away with a bag and a cane from my daughter.” The citizen patrolman promptly alerted the neighborhood police through an app system. The app’s location-sharing feature allowed nearby residents to confirm their availability by sending a thumbs-up emoji.
In this specific instance, the patrol group mobilized immediately and tracked down the thieves. The suspects were cornered and apprehended with a coordinated effort involving multiple citizens. However, open borders supporters raised questions about the legality and ethics of such actions.
Legal experts are divided on the matter. According to a police judge and emeritus professor of sanction law, citizen arrests are allowed under certain circumstances. If citizens perceive a crime taking place and take action in anticipation of police involvement, they are legally justified. However, some legal scholars emphasize caution, pointing out that such interventions can potentially turn violent or mistakenly target innocent individuals.
Source: RAIR Foundation