The mayor of The Hague is taking additional measures to increase the feeling of safety on the streets. A reporting center ( Report an unsafe place – The Hague ) has been established where people can report unsafe places. The municipality is also monitoring locations where the feeling of insecurity is generally higher, such as squares, stations, bus and tram stops, shopping centers, under tunnels and overpasses, and various green areas. These unsafe places are inspected by experts on site to determine which measures are necessary and possible to improve the feeling of safety.
“With the Safe on the Street reporting center, it’s now easier for people to report to the municipality if they feel unsafe somewhere. Everyone should feel safe in The Hague. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, and certain tunnels, bus stops, and bike paths are often avoided in the evening. Often, this is due to poor lighting, overgrown greenery along the sidelines, and quiet, dilapidated areas. Practical adjustments can quickly resolve many issues ,” says Mayor Jan van Zanen.
That’s why the mayor launched the Safe on the Streets approach in September, complementing the existing municipal approach to street harassment of women and queer people. First, open sources and research were used to identify places perceived as unsafe and where practical interventions could improve the feeling of safety. The experiences of residents, business owners, and visitors were a key starting point.
An additional €200,000 is now available for the coming year thanks to proposals from the Labour Party (PvdA) and Socialist Party (SP), which were adopted by a majority of the city council. The new reporting center was established at the request of Hart voor Den Haag (Heart for The Hague). Reports are sent directly to the safety officers of the various districts. Reports are also received via the police, and the municipality gathers information from the city itself, for example, from local consultations in the various districts on livability and safety.
At this moment, work is being prepared to take measures at Laan van station NOI, Scheveningen village, and Heeswijkplein to enhance the sense of safety. Monitoring will continue at existing locations and expand to new focus areas. These locations will be jointly inspected by various experts, with the goal of determining which physical measures can enhance the sense of safety at the location.
Collaboration is being further sought with public transport companies, housing associations, and/or residents’ associations. For example, extending the opening hours of shops and restaurants at stations can significantly enhance public safety. Empty, dark, and polluted locations are often perceived as unsafe, while increased activity, lighting, and cleaning actually have a positive effect on the feeling of safety. The “Safe on the Street” approach combines forces to create a safer urban environment.
Text: Gemeente Den Haag
Translation: The Hague Online
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