News
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Overnight Stays in the Park and Driving Under Influence
During the comprehensive enforcement action on Tuesday, February 18, police, enforcers, and inspectors encountered various violations: arrests for outstanding penalties, driving under influence, and tram fare evasion.
To contribute to safety and livability in The Hague, integrated enforcement actions are regularly organized by police, municipality, and other agencies at various city locations. On Tuesday afternoon, different services set out from Zuiderpark to the neighborhoods of Morgenstond and Leyenburg, known for their high-rise apartments and minimal single-family homes. Residents frequently report nuisance from loitering youths, drug-related disturbances, and speeding.
Taxi Inspections
Traffic inspections were conducted at Hengelolaan near Leyweg Shopping Center. Police checked various vehicles, resulting in three arrests: one for non-compliance during inspection, another for a fake drivers license, and one scooter driver for driving under the influence. Sixteen traffic fines were issued. Additionally, drivers licenses were confiscated for offenses such as driving under influence and non-compliance.
Taxi drivers were checked by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) for onboard computers and compliance with work and rest times. Eight taxis were checked, leading to several warnings for improper trip registration, with future violations resulting in fines. A taxi driver was fined for exceeding work hours, and another is under investigation for potentially sharing a license with another driver. Two reports were filed for worn tires.
Municipal tax authorities checked 6546 vehicles, seizing 12 with over €30,000 in unpaid taxes. Eleven vehicles were clamped, and one towed. The Enforcement Organizations scan team checked 5316 vehicles, with 67 fined for unpaid parking fees. A total of 59 fines were issued by the Escamp Enforcement Team and Mulder Team for offenses like illegal parking and cycling without lights.
Tram Inspections by HTM
Tram lines 9 and 16 run through Morgenstond, while lines 6 and 4 pass through Leyenburg. Inspectors from HTM conducted checks at Leyweg and Leggelostraat stops, issuing 138 fines of €56 each for failure to show a ticket. One passenger was arrested after fleeing, with further checks revealing an outstanding sentence. A 15-year-old girl was found with a knife, which police confiscated.
Haagse Pandbrigade
During the enforcement action, the Haagse Pandbrigade inspected 26 homes. Since January 1, 2025, they enforce rental prices in the social and mid-segment markets. Two homes were found with excessive rents, with the highest being €1950. Four homes had undesirable rental practices, potentially leading to rent reductions. Three instances of unauthorized occupancy were noted, with more residents than allowed. Nine residents were registered but didnt live there, while eight lived without registration. Five cases of potential benefit fraud were detected, with two immediately terminated and three under investigation. Housing corporation Haag Wonen joined some inspections, with two of their homes returning to the market. Stedin found 13 violations, disconnecting seven households lacking contracts. Municipal tax authorities briefly joined at one address over a €3200 road tax debt, with a payment plan arranged.
Zuiderpark Livability
Leyenburg and Morgenstond encircle Zuiderpark, used for recreation but also by people without permanent residence. They currently prefer Zuiderpark over winter shelters, staying at park hotspots. Enforcers, with the aliens police (AVIM), visited these hotspots, finding homeless individuals and makeshift tents. Identifying these individuals helps provide appropriate support.
Hospitality Inspections
During joint hospitality inspections by the Enforcement Organization, police, Stedin, fire brigade, Customs, HEIT, SZW, and Hague Environment Agency (ODH), 12 businesses were inspected. At one establishment, illegal cigarettes and untaxed tobacco were found and seized by Customs. Another establishment only accepted cash, and an unlisted employee was found, with further investigation pending. An unsafe condition was found at another business, lacking a mains electricity connection, with a self-made solar panel setup posing a fire hazard. The fire brigade will further investigate safety, and failure to rectify the situation may lead to closure.
Comprehensive Enforcement Action Zuiderpark
Efforts are ongoing to enhance city livability and safety. Area-specific enforcement actions are regularly conducted to address neighborhood issues. This time, Zuiderpark was the focus, with organizations and agencies striving for a better and safer The Hague. Participating agencies included: Police Unit The Hague, Haagse Pandbrigade, from the Enforcement Organization: Escamp Enforcement Team, Mulder Team, scan team, and alcohol and hospitality team, HEIT, HTM, Fire Brigade The Hague (VRH), Customs, Stedin, Hague Environment Agency (ODH), social services (SZW), Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT), municipal tax authorities, and Haag Wonen.
See Something Suspicious? Report It!
Reporting violations contributes to improving neighborhood livability and safety. Municipality and police increasingly receive reports about suspicious and nuisance situations, enabling targeted actions. Participate and report!
- Report suspicious situations to the police via 112 (emergency) or 0900 – 8844. Anonymous reporting is available through Meld Misdaad Anoniem, phone 0800 – 7000.
- Use the public space report for issues like pests, streetlight malfunctions, bike wrecks, and damaged public areas.
- Visit denhaag.nl/meldingen for reports on waste or benefit fraud.
- Report suspected employment abuses to Dutch Labour Inspectorate.
- Report undesirable landlord behavior, such as excessive charges, threats, or discrimination, via the tenant reporting point.