Dutch Citizens Organize Patrols with App-Enabled Tracking and Make Arrests to Combat Migrant Crime (Video)

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.

The village’s left-wing mayor expressed concerns about “vigilante” justice, advising residents to report criminal offenses to the police rather than taking matters into their own hands. The Ministry of Justice echoed this sentiment, suggesting that while the “frustration” of the citizens is understandable, they should not substitute for official law enforcement.

A video report showed one of the suspects arrested last week being restrained with tie wraps after being apprehended. Experts expressed differing opinions on the level of force used in such situations. While some contend that such measures can be acceptable for more serious crimes like house burglaries, others find it excessive and potentially dangerous.

The patrol group remains resolute, defending their actions as a response to a lack of law enforcement presence during the evening hours. They argue that various authorities are active during the day, but residents are left to fend for themselves at night.

A member of the patrol group acknowledged the challenges they face: “It’s about everything. There are threats, shop thefts, harassment, intimidating behavior, drunkenness.” They emphasize that their actions are driven by a sense of responsibility for their community’s safety.

In the face of challenges posed by open borders and the presence of potentially dangerous migrants, Ter Apel emerges as a microcosm, mirroring more extensive conversations about community safety and the responsibilities citizens bear in maintaining order. The inception of the patrol group, furthermore, was spurred by the left-wing government’s policies of unrestricted borders and insufficient vetting processes. This has resulted in a compelling need for these patrols as a response to the security threats imposed upon local communities by political decisions. Instead of politicians channeling their focus towards safeguarding the well-being and rights of illegal migrants, critics argue that leaders should prioritize the safety and quality of life for their own citizens.