Teams from the police, municipality, and other agencies were active en masse on Friday, September 18, during a comprehensive enforcement operation in Scheveningen and Duindorp. They encountered a wide range of violations: arrests for driving under the influence of drugs, possible forced labor, and fines for various offenses.
To ensure that Scheveningen remains a pleasant, safe, and welcoming place for everyone, the municipality works together with residents, entrepreneurs, and other agencies. In recent years, residents and entrepreneurs have indicated experiencing nuisance, particularly on and around the boulevard, the harbor, and in Duindorp. Problems occur here such as alcohol and drug-related nuisance, fraudulent business activities, loitering youth, parking nuisance, and residential nuisance. With the introduction of the Coastal Action Plan, a structural focus is being placed on accessibility, safety, livability, and hospitality. Abuses are being tackled, and thanks to the additional measures taken in and around Scheveningen, things are steadily improving.
Traffic control Second Harbour
The large-scale traffic control operation took place on Dr. Lelykade. 100 vehicles were checked and 49 were fined for various offenses, including driving without a license, failure to produce valid identification, not wearing a seatbelt, and driving with a phone in hand. The sniffer dog present searched the vehicles for drugs and located a small bag of white powder in one vehicle. The quantity found was confiscated and the police arrested the driver. Another driver was also arrested for driving under the influence of drugs. Five WOK reports were filed for scooters and cars driving with loud exhausts and causing significant noise nuisance. With the Noise Patrol, the noise level in decibels is measured using a microphone system.
The police carried out extra checks on fat bikes. Residents and other road users in Scheveningen experience significant nuisance from fat bikes that go much too fast or do not adhere to traffic rules. 28 fat bikes were placed on the dynamometer, and the speed limiters were confiscated from two of them.
Tram inspection by HTM
Various tram lines run through Scheveningen. For instance, trams at the Kurhaus and Duinstraat stops, among others, were checked. HTM inspectors checked 58 trams, and 55 passengers received a fine of €76 for failing to produce a valid ticket.
CET
The CET is part of the police and is responsible for tracking down (fugitive) convicted persons. The abbreviation stands for Coordination of Execution Tasks (CET). Two arrests were made by the CET, one of whom still had an outstanding prison sentence for multiple serious traffic violations. Another arrestee was taken into custody for refusing to pay an outstanding fine. Furthermore, two convicted persons were informed of their verdict. They have the option to pay a fine; otherwise, they will have to serve a sentence in prison.
Forced labor
During the joint inspection of the hospitality sector, various businesses in Oud Scheveningen were inspected by the Enforcement Organization, the police, the Hague Economic Intervention Team (HEIT), Stedin, the fire department, the Ministry of Social Affairs (SZW), and the Haaglanden Environmental Service (ODH). Eleven employees were checked by SZW for benefit fraud and illegal employment. One employee attempted to escape during an inspection but was brought back. The paperwork may not be in order. Furthermore, several employees are still being investigated for possible benefit fraud. They may be receiving benefits unlawfully while performing paid work. One business received a fine for selling spirits without an alcohol license. At three businesses, Stedin found that the fuse in the meter cupboard was faulty, and at another business, the seal had been tampered with. ODH checks whether businesses comply with environmental regulations. For instance, eight businesses lacked a grease separator or maintenance of the grease separator. A grease separator is necessary to prevent heavy fats from entering the sewer system, which would impair proper processing.
The HEIT visited various massage parlors and spoke with the managers. At a number of massage parlors in the action area, there may be instances of forced labor or possible prostitution. At one of the parlors, an employee was working illegally, and this has been reported to the immigration police. A further investigation into the activities of this business is also being launched.
Home modifications
The Hague Building Enforcement Team monitors the safety of buildings and homes in the city. There are many social housing units in Scheveningen and Duindorp rented out by Hof Wonen. Together with Stedin, the teams entered the action area to inspect various homes and commercial properties. Extra checks were carried out on compliance with building permits, such as extensions and demolitions to existing buildings. This does not always proceed according to the rules. In such cases, the Hague Building Enforcement Team can impose an administrative coercion order. This means that the contractor must immediately rectify the modifications and permits, otherwise further measures will be taken. In the case of a home, there was an illegal subdivision and the rear facade had been removed, causing subsidence. It has been agreed with the owner that this will be rectified as soon as possible.
At three Hof Wonen addresses, it emerged that the tenant was not living there themselves, but was renting out the property to others. Due to long waiting lists at the housing corporation, this is unacceptable. Following an investigation, a report will be drawn up, and the properties may return to the market for eligible home seekers.
Tax debts and illegal parking
The municipal tax office seized vehicles twelve times for a total amount of €78,000. Nine vehicles were fitted with wheel clamps for outstanding parking fines, and one vehicle was towed. Payment was made directly on two occasions, for a total amount exceeding €21,000. The National Tax Service checked vehicles for payment of motor vehicle tax. 38 vehicles were inspected. In total, tax debt exceeding €190,000 was collected. The largest direct payment was €100,000.
The enforcement organization’s scanning team scanned 6,000 vehicles; 30 vehicle owners will receive a supplementary assessment. They had not paid parking fees, even though they were required to do so. The Mulder team (parking team) issued eight fines for illegal parking on the sidewalk and five fines to petrol cars parked in an electric vehicle parking space. The bike team issued nine fines for using a phone while cycling, and enforcement officers issued seven fines to scooter riders for riding on the bicycle path, whereas they are required to ride on the public road.
Integrated enforcement action Scheveningen
Hard work is being done to improve the livability and safety of the city. Area-specific enforcement actions are regularly carried out in various districts to tackle abuses within those neighborhoods. This time, it was Scheveningen’s turn. Organizations and agencies are working with the municipality to create a more beautiful and safer The Hague. The following agencies were present: The Hague Police Unit, The Hague Building Brigade, HEIT, Scheveningen Enforcement Team, Mulder Team, Scan Team, Bikers, Alcohol and Hospitality Team, HTM, Haaglanden Fire Department (VRH), Haaglanden Environmental Service (ODH), Hof Wonen, National Tax Service, Municipal Tax Service, and sniffer dogs from Het Twickelerveld.
Do you see anything suspicious in your neighborhood? Reporting helps!
Residents and business owners are increasingly reporting nuisance and suspicious situations. This allows the police and the municipality to take more targeted action to improve livability and safety. Reports are therefore very welcome.
Report suspicious situations to the police via telephone number 112 (emergency) or 0900 – 8844 (non-emergency, but police).
- You can also report incidents completely anonymously via Meld Misdaad Anoniem (External link) , telephone number 0800 – 7000.
- Do you see pests in the neighborhood, broken streetlights, bicycle wrecks, trash, or other matters that are not in order? Report it at denhaag.nl/meldingen .
- You can also report suspicions of benefits fraud via denhaag.nl/meldingen .
- Report suspected abuses involving temporary agency work via the reporting page of the Netherlands Labour Inspectorate (External link) .
- Tenants can contact the tenants’ hotline regarding problems with their landlord, such as excessive (service) charges, threats, or discrimination.
Text and images: Gemeente Den Haag