Katwijk New Year: 8,000 euros in material damage in public space

Katwijk New Year: 8,000 euros in material damage in public space

Material damage in public space this year is a little over 8,000 euros. Last year, the damage amounted to more than 23,000 euros. Mayor Visser: “Fortunately, the damage will be less this year. There were also fewer fireworks due to the national fireworks ban. Every euro of damage caused to public space by fireworks is a disgrace. This is why the municipality and the police continue to do everything they can to make this end of the year pleasant and festive, without destroying public property.

Communication, enforcement and prevention
The end of the year was different this year. Less fireworks and no events. In collaboration with the local media, the municipality created the online game program “I love Katwijk” to organize some local entertainment from home. In addition, the police carried out intensive checks on the possession of illegal fireworks. In addition, as a precaution, the municipality closed containers or removed materials when possible.

Damage to the exterior area
Compared to previous years, the damage is not too serious. The damage to playground equipment and especially to playgrounds is lower than in previous years. This year’s damage can still be found in destroyed road signs and garbage cans. The municipality does not include damage to street gullies in the total amount. A broken ravine is often not visible until later in the year, for example after a heavy rain shower. Last year, the total of broken gullies following the 2019/2020 turn of the year amounted to more than 15,000 euros. This is more than 3,000 euros less than the previous year.

Fight against nuisances and vandalism
All damaged locations are known and photos have been taken of the destroyed materials. These are passed on to the police. If you know more about vandalism, report it to the police or via Meld Misdaad Anoniem, so that the municipality can recover the damage from all perpetrators.

Press release Municipality of Katwijk