Bus full of items for cannabis plantation, tents in Haagse Bos, and a taxi driver under the influence

Various abuses were found during the comprehensive enforcement action on Thursday, April 17, in Haagse Hout. Police, enforcers, and teams from other agencies encountered various violations: a bus with items for a cannabis plantation to a taxi driver transporting customers under the influence, and tents were found in the Haagse Bos.

With the start of the action, teams from the police, enforcement organization, municipality, and other agencies entered Den Haag Central Station, Koekamp, Haagse Bos, and the Bezuidenhout district. Every day, there is a constant flow of traffic via the train stations Den Haag Central, Den Haag Laan van NOI, or vehicles entering and exiting Den Haag via the A12 motorway. Due to all the hustle and bustle, safety and livability around Den Haag Central are under pressure. In the area, there are issues with alcohol and drug nuisance, bicycle and shop theft, fraudulent hospitality, and homeless individuals without a fixed residence. Every day, the Soup Bus is at Koekamp around 7:00 PM to distribute free soup, a warm drink, and bread to anyone in need. The comprehensive enforcement action contributes to safety and livability in Haagse Hout. The team from NS checked travelers for valid tickets at Den Haag Central. NS issued 50 fines, confiscating two invalid OV-chip cards and issuing 10 fines for the lack of a valid ID.

The Haagse Bos, Malieveld, and Koekamp are managed and protected by Staatsbosbeheer. In addition to maintenance, the forest rangers are also responsible for supervision and enforcement. During the action, they checked in Koekamp and Haagse Bos. There, they found several tents, and in one tent, a person was sleeping. The person left, and later it will be checked whether he returns to Koekamp. The empty tents were cleared by the forest rangers. Furthermore, they issued fines for someone who did not have their dog on a leash and for a driver who was riding on the bike path. Several visitors to Haagse Bos were curious about the work of the forest rangers, and they shared more about what they do from Staatsbosbeheer. The visitors expressed that they appreciated the attention given to nature, safety, and livability in the green part of the city.

The enforcers on bicycles (bikers) issued 19 fines in the area to cyclists riding without lights. Several fines were issued for cyclists running red lights, people letting dogs run loose in areas where it is not allowed, and once a report was made to the animal police for neglecting a dog.

Seeded with hemp

The traffic control took place this time next to The Bridge. In total, the police checked 126 vehicles. Five arrests were made, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and one driver was in possession of hard drugs. One van was checked because the owner had an outstanding tax debt. Upon further inspection of the van, it was found that there were items for preparing a cannabis plantation present. All items were confiscated, and the two occupants (owner and driver) of the van were arrested. Furthermore, 43 fines were issued to motorists speeding on Prinsen Beatrixlaan, and 32 fines were issued via the speed laser at another location.

Inspection Environment and Transport (ILT) checks taxi drivers to ensure they adhere to working and rest times. Five taxis were checked. Two taxi drivers were driving without a license, and one taxi driver had not adhered to the rest time. Another taxi driver made it very serious by driving under the influence of drugs and was arrested by the police and taken for a blood test. The driver loses his license for three months. If he gets caught again, his license will be revoked entirely.

The scanning team of the Enforcement Organization scanned 1592 vehicles, of which 17 will receive a follow-up charge for not paying parking fees. The Enforcement Team Haagse Hout and the Mulder Team issued 17 fines for illegal parking.

The National Tax Administration checked 43 vehicles with outstanding debts. A total amount of more than €127,000 was identified, of which about €63,000 was collected, and five vehicles were immediately towed. The municipal tax office scanned the license plates of vehicles in the area and identified a total debt of more than €15,000, and six times a vehicle was seized, two vehicles were clamped, and more than €6,000 was paid immediately.

Lack of hygiene

During the joint hospitality control by the Enforcement Organization, police, Stedin, fire department, HEIT, NVWA, and Environmental Service Haaglanden (ODH), eight businesses were checked. Hygiene at five businesses was not in order, including the absence of a grease separator, the business container did not meet regulations, and the air conditioning connection was found to be inadequate. The NVWA was called in once to conduct a thorough check on a business, and HEIT is scheduling two additional inspections. At three businesses, the terrace permit was not in order, and once there was no supervisor present. Stedin found that the main fuse was not in order at one business, and at another business, there was tampering with an upgraded fuse causing more energy consumption and less payment. The connections will be adjusted.

Control of rental prices for homes

With the Affordable Rent Act, fair rental prices that match the quality of the home are ensured. The Haagse Pandbrigade checked in Haagse Hout whether rental prices in the district comply with this law. Since this year, the Haagse Pandbrigade enforces rental prices in the social and middle segment. In six inspections, a too high rental price was identified. At one address, tenants were paying €1250 per month too much for their home. The landlord must adjust the rental price for the tenants.

Comprehensive enforcement action Haagse Hout

Efforts are being made to improve livability and safety in the city. Area-focused enforcement actions are regularly conducted in various neighborhoods to address abuses in the neighborhoods. This time, Haagse Hout was up next. Organizations and agencies are committed to a more beautiful and safer Den Haag. The following agencies were present: Police Unit Den Haag, Haagse Pandbrigade, Enforcement Team Haagse Hout, Mulder Team, bikers, forest rangers, alcohol and hospitality team, HEIT, NS, HTM, Fire Department Den Haag (VRH), Customs, Stedin, Environmental Service Haaglanden (ODH), NVWA, Inspection Environment and Transport (ILT), National Tax Administration, municipal tax office, and Staatsbosbeheer.

Do you see something suspicious in your area? Reporting helps!

Residents and entrepreneurs are increasingly reporting nuisance and suspicious situations. Police and municipality can take more targeted action to improve livability and safety. Reports are therefore very welcome!

• Report suspicious situations to the police via phone number 112 (emergency) or 0900 – 8844 (non-emergency police).
• You can also report completely anonymously via Report Crime Anonymously (External link), phone number 0800 – 7000.
• If you see pests in the neighborhood, broken street lighting, abandoned bicycles, waste, or other issues that are not in order, report it denhaag.nl/meldingen.
• Via denhaag.nl/meldingen, you can also report suspicions of welfare fraud.
• Report suspicions of abuses with temporary work via the report page of the Dutch Labor Inspectorate (External link).
• Tenants can report problems with their landlord, such as excessive (service) costs, threats, or discrimination at the report point for tenants.