Opening International Multi Twinning (IMT) event, JCI Haaglanden, 10 May 2024

 

Good morning everyone,

 

I would like to thank JCI Haaglanden for the invitation to open this three-day event. To me as honorary member of JCI – that’s why I wear this pin (I was so happy to have found it in one of my drawers) – it is an honour to be here. I really believe in the work of serviceclubs and their contribution to society.

I am the Rotary International graduate foundation eternally grateful that in the early eighties they awarded me a scholarship so that I could study at Cornell Law school in Ithaca New York …

It’s great to welcome a young and international company of ambitious people to The Hague.

You are in precisely the right spot to work on building an international network, friendships and your personal development.

Here you are in a city with international allure, 11 kilometres of beach, an attractive historic city centre and a special relationship with the theme of your event: combating crime.

 

Fighting crime is primarily the task of the police and the public prosecutor’s office. The mayor only comes in when criminal behaviour affects public order and safety.

Something which happens often enough and therefore we regularly operate in what is referred to as ‘the triangle’.

Like any big city, we face crime of a different kind than the average rural municipality, although drug crime is also prevalent there.

Examples of such being the drugs labs housed in barns and sheds, sometimes under criminal duress.

Or the toxic waste from drugs production dumped in the countryside.

The Hague faces criminality, just like every other major city.

Our crime rate is not among the top four cities of the Netherlands.

To be precise: in 2023 we had 37.198 registered crimes.

On average crimefigures have come down between 2014-2018.

After that we see a stabilazation on this lower level.

 

So far so good, but we seem to be particularly susceptible to serious crime. Something which has its own particular reasons.

For example, the city has a number of neighbourhoods with a lot of relatively cheap housing and privately-owned property.

An overheated housing market and labour migration has led to overcrowding, nuisance and pressure on public spaces. As the problems multiply and become dense, so criminals seize their opportunity.

To tackle this type of crime we send out The Hague property brigade and ensure that integrated enforcement is regularly applied.

The property brigade checks for illegal occupancy and dangerous situations. Through wide-ranging enforcement, we act together with different agencies to tackle abuses.

This has concrete results and shows residents and business owners that we, as the municipality, do act on their behalf.

We also face undermining from organised crime.

Attempts to launder criminal money in legitimate society or to gain influence through bribery or intimidation.

We arm ourselves against that internally. With extra attention focused on integrity and preventing situations where our staff could become vulnerable.

And then there is our coastal location.

The better that Antwerp and Rotterdam manage to make themselves unattractive for drugs import, the more likely it is that criminals will turn their attention to our small marine harbour.

We are therefore alert to criminal activity in Scheveningen and use the latest technology to monitor shipping entering and leaving the harbour.

 

And now to turn to those matters in which The Hague is entirely unique.

You will be aware, of course, that the city is the Netherlands’ seat of government, royal residence, centre of diplomacy and international city of peace and justice. That status and identity is a great honour but, in these times, also brings great responsibility.

We house a great many international institutions and organisations.

Embassies and bodies of the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU).

The Permanent Court of Arbitration and the International Court of Justice.

And further Europol, Eurojust and NATO’s Communications and Information Agency, among others.

 

We provide all these organisations – and many more – with a safe haven where they can do their work undisturbed.

This is why the largest cluster of security businesses and organisations in Europe is based here.

From companies providing physical security, to specialists in cybercrime and artificial intelligence (AI).

Because we are dealing not just with criminals who threaten businesses and institutions through physical break-ins or online hacks.

But also – what are so nicely termed – ‘state actors’ that are becoming increasingly active in The Hague’s international environment.

At the same time, given that The Hague is where our parliament and government are based, it is at the heart of our open democracy and thus also the Netherland’s demonstration capital.

This means that public order, security and combating crime always has to be in balance here with maintaining the quality of life and freely accessible public spaces.

Because preserving the open character of our country, our institutions and our city is  at stake in everything we do when it comes to security and fighting crime.

The same applies to safeguarding democracy and freedom of speech.

Not to mention preserving a friendly, international city that guests such as you are happy to keep visiting.

I wish you all an interesting event, enjoy the Hague, the company of your friends and maybe even watch the Eurovision songcontest tomorrownight together?

In short: JCI is top.