Amsterdam stops preventive searches after unauthorized checks

Amsterdam will immediately stop a process of pre-emptive searches in the city, because “certain unauthorized checks on weapons” were carried out in November. This was reported by the triangle (Mayor Halsema, Chief Prosecutor and Chief of Police). The checks were conducted outside the designated security risk areas.

Five areas were designated in September where the police were allowed to carry out preventive searches. This covered areas in the North, South, Southeast and New West districts. Between October and December 25 checks would have taken place.

Just like last year, when preventive searches were also carried out for a few months, it is a trial to see if the drug can be used permanently. About the experiment it has been much discussedin particular the risk of ethnic profiling by the police.

Some checks took place outside the designated areas and were therefore not authorised, he reports NH/AT5 news. “One of these checks took place outside the security risk area at a youth centre,” Halsema wrote on behalf of the triangle in a letter to the city council.

People were also searched in public buildings within the areas. “This is within the legal framework, but due to the searches of the buildings, actions were taken differently than agreed by the triangle.” The agreement stipulated that the police would not search buildings in security risk areas.

The triangle decided not only to suspend the checks that would follow, but also to investigate the unauthorized checks.

In the letter, Halsema writes that the police have apologized to those involved and to the youth centre. “The apology was well received.” Halsema herself has also visited the organization, she does not want to say which one she is. “Young people are shocked by gun control, but they also want to look forward together with the organization and partners in the area.”