The municipality of Oss did not follow a clear line in helping Arie den Dekker, the man who died last year when he set himself on fire in front of the town hall. Expectations have been raised that the municipality has not fulfilled.
This is the conclusion of an agency that has investigated Den Dekker’s death on behalf of the municipality, the police and the Public Prosecution Service. Broadcasting Brabant. He had quarrel with the municipality about finding shelter.
His relatives believe that the municipality has left Den Dekker to its fate. He was previously helped by the municipality and placed in an old farm after he was evicted from his home by a housing association. In his new home he witnessed a liquidation in 2018 and reported to the police. Then he was threatened. His house was set on fire and he entered a witness protection program, which ended in early 2020.
After that, the municipality did not consider it desirable for safety reasons that he would live in Oss again. Den Dekker became homeless and came into conflict with the municipality. After several actions at the town hall, he set himself on fire last summer.
Varying angles
According to the researchers, the fact that the municipality had previously helped him find accommodation led to expectations at Den Dekker. But where previously the care for a resident was paramount, according to the agency, the municipality opted for the general interest of public order and safety after the fire attack.
On the other hand, the researchers note that the municipality has always remained involved in the fate of Den Dekker: “Employees have always continued to support Mr Den Dekker in the background.”
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