Mayor Van Den Tillaar attended the kickoff meeting of the Allies in Vlissingen: “I think it is a positive development that the police are strengthening ties with the community. Our residents are the eyes and ears in the neighborhoods, but sometimes there is still a barrier to sharing signals and gut feelings. The Report Crime Anonymously service remains available for this purpose. We know that key persons often really understand what is happening in a neighborhood, district, or group of people. It is therefore extremely valuable to discuss these signals from the community. The municipality does this, for example, through neighborhood tables. It is great that the police are now deploying Allies for this and intensifying contact with the community themselves. At the kickoff meeting in our municipality, there was good representation from the community, and the foundation was laid for constructive conversations about how we can work together on livability and safety in our municipality.”
Who are the Allies?
Allies are people who have a broad support base within the municipality where they live. They are socially engaged people who share their views on the bigger themes playing within their municipality in the alliance. Representatives from various target groups and movements within a municipality participate in the Allies meetings. The exact identities of the Allies are not disclosed by the police or municipality.
Despite the diversity of the groups, all participants have one thing in common: they have the involvement and drive to make a difference for the municipality where they live, work, and live. They want to make their environment a little better for future generations. The diversity makes the alliance valuable.
Mayor Schouwenaar of the municipality of Veere: “Safety starts with knowing what is happening. With the Allies, we strengthen the connection with the community. They are people who think constructively, residents with antennae in the community, and I am very grateful that they are all willing to think along from their own environment and let us know what needs to be seen and heard.”
76 alliances in the Netherlands
Allies is a working method that operates in many more cities and villages in the Netherlands. It has existed since 2007 and has grown into what it is now: a constructive collaboration between the police and (residents of various) municipalities. With the addition of the three Walcheren municipalities, there are now a total of 76 sustainable alliances in the Netherlands.
Quick advice
In case of emergencies or social unrest, the Allies can quickly establish contact outside the scheduled meetings to give advice, share opinions, and exchange expertise. The three Walcheren groups consist of 10 to 15 members in a fixed composition. The Allies have five physical meetings per year, each at a different location.
Mayors at kickoff meetings
The alliances started in Walcheren with three separate meetings in Middelburg, Veere, and Vlissingen. At each meeting, the mayor of the respective municipality was present. At the three kickoff meetings, members got to know each other and discussed topics that could possibly be addressed in future meetings. These conversations will not be about incidents or persons but about developments in society that could affect the residents of the municipality or topics that could cause social unrest.
‘Knowing and trusting each other is important’
Mayor Van Mastrigt of the municipality of Middelburg: “In Middelburg, we have many different communities where people support each other. That connectedness is a tremendous strength. Especially in difficult moments, it turns out how important it is that we know and trust each other. ‘Allies’ helps us to further strengthen those relationships. It brings partners and communities closer together so that we have quicker contact when something serious happens and can immediately support each other. This way, we build a Middelburg together where we can count on each other, especially when it matters. That is why I find the ‘Allies’ initiative so valuable. It helps us find each other faster when something is happening in a neighborhood or street. I am proud of all the residents and partners who are committed to this. Together we make Middelburg stronger and safer.”
Marco Paauwe, initiator of the Allies in Walcheren and operational expert working at the police, is pleased that the working method is really taking off after a long preparation: “Besides the fact that the municipalities and the police were already constructive in their consultations, now a large party is added; the citizens. They are the most important because the police ultimately work for the citizens. With the various Allies who now sit around the table with us, we greatly expand our network and knowledge. We are very much looking forward to that knowledge sharing, connection, and cooperation with all the alliances.”