Faced with rising crime related to migrants, Dutch citizens have organized civilian patrols. This has sparked a debate about the implications of an open borders policy and underscores the call to prioritize civilian safety and even consider deportations, reports Rairfoundation.

Ter Apel, Netherlands – In response to escalating crime and an increase in incidents involving asylum seekers, a vigilante group in the village of Ter Apel, Netherlands, has independently taken action to address the situation.

These efforts include patrols, the use of a special app system and civilian arrests. The group’s recent success in arresting two asylum seekers from Algeria has sparked a debate about the extent to which citizens should be involved in law enforcement and why the left-wing government is not closing borders and deporting those who threaten their citizens before crimes are committed.

Ter Apel, a village experiencing a spate of incidents involving asylum seekers mainly from North Africa, has seen a dramatic rise in shoplifting, violence and other disturbances. Despite efforts to enforce stricter rules on asylum seekers, problems persisted, prompting some residents to set up a patrol group.

A member of the patrol group related a recent incident: “I woke up at 4:15 in the morning. I heard the sound of the gate behind our house. I looked out the window. I saw two men walk away with my daughter’s bag and walking stick.” The citizen patrol immediately alerted the community police officer via an app system. The app’s location sharing feature allowed local residents to confirm their availability by sending a thumbs-up emoji.

In this particular case, the patrol group sprang into action immediately and tracked down the thieves. The suspects were cornered and apprehended with a coordinated effort by several citizens. However, open border advocates have 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 sanctions law, civilian arrests are permitted under certain circumstances. If citizens see a crime take place and take action in anticipation of police deployment, they are legally justified. However, some legal scholars emphasize caution, pointing out that such interventions could turn violent or wrongly affect innocent people.

The left-wing mayor of the village expressed concern about “vigilante justice” justice and advised residents to report crimes to the police rather than take matters into their own hands. The Justice Department joined in, suggesting that citizens’ “frustration” is understandable, but should not replace official law enforcement.

A video report showed how one of the suspects arrested last week was tied up with tie-wraps after he was arrested. Experts differed on the level of force to be used in such situations. While some argue that such measures may be acceptable for more serious crimes such as residential burglaries, others consider it excessive and potentially dangerous.

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

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

In light of the challenges posed by open borders and the presence of potentially dangerous migrants, Ter Apel emerges as a microcosm, reflecting wider conversations about community security and the responsibilities of citizens in maintaining order.

The creation of the patrol group was additionally spurred by the Liberal Left government’s policy of unrestricted borders and inadequate vetting processes. This has led to a compelling need for these patrols in response to the security threats imposed on local communities by political decisions instead of politicians focusing on protecting the well-being and rights of illegal migrants.

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