Connectors in safety

The city marines in Pride in our city marines

In 2002, Rotterdam got its frst city marines, following a recommendation from a committee of which I was a member at the time (not yet Mayor). This committee was convinced that the neighbourhoods with the greatest problems deserved the commitment of the best professionals. Like the Ministry of Defence sending the marines on a mission. The Municipality took our advice; the phenomenon of city marines became a fact. Looking back now, you can’t help but conclude that the city marines have become an integral part of Rotterdam’s safety policy.

Photo: Mark Nolte Through their unifying and result-oriented way of working, they have acquired a leading position. Even though they will be the last to claim it. City marines do not proclaim their achievements, but share them with their network; residents, businesses and organisations in the city. The city marines operate in the heart of the city and are able to immediately deal with the problems they encounter, which is why their feld of work is constantly changing. This feld has expanded over the years, including the appointment of a city marine for High Impact Crimes and a city marine for Debts. At the moment, subversion – infltration from the underworld into legitimate society – has high priority. The city marine is an important link in the fght against this ‘invisible’, organised crime. The city marine does this together with security partners, residents and businesses. This has enabled us to achieve good results in the industrial estate, for example.

The history of the city marines has been one of trial and error. Initially, the city marine was intended as a temporary instrument, but the most important conclusion is that the vast majority of the city marines’ actions still lead to visible results. However, we must be wary of the ‘waterbed effect’, i.e. the relocation of safety problems to other districts or municipalities. Improving security in a large city like Rotterdam is and will continue to be hard work. The city marines are strongly focused on making connections and achieving results. The cold, hard fgures show that they are succeeding. Higher scores on the neighbourhood profle 2020 show that Rotterdam is becoming more secure and residents feel safer. This is partly thanks to our smart, motivated city marines.

Rotterdam is proud of them.

Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam Photo: Miranda Vijfvinkel Photo: Miranda Vijfvinkel

2 / 3 Foto: Joost van der Vleuten

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André Vervooren, directoroftheSafetyDirectorate Afterword The marinesandRotterdamarecloselyconnected Portfolios of city marines Six principlesofthecitymarines’ approach The citymarinesofRotterdam Ahmed Aboutaleb, MayorofRotterdam Foreword: Prideinourcitymarines Areas/districts - Approachwithdebt - - HighImpactCrime - Subversion

pg. 27 pg. 24 pg. 12 pg. pg. 6 pg. 2 pg. 13 pg. 20 pg. 18 pg. 17 11 4 /5 Connectors in safety

Timeline History of The city marines of Rotterdam the city marines in Since 1 November 2002, the city marines have played a central role in the safety approach in Rotterdam. With great success. Nuisance and a nutshell crime are increasingly being reduced. More people feel safe(r) in their district. The city marines have made an important contribution to this. And, they still do.

START

Rotterdam experienced major safety working method was characterised problems at the end of the nineties. (and still is) by politicians, municipal Neighbourhoods and districts faced services, the police, the judiciary, major problems, such as (drug) local businesses and residents nuisance, overcrowding, illegal working together. Their efforts renting of rooms and violence. reinforced one another and the city 2000 Whatever measures were taken, became safer. That didn’t happen it was not possible to break the by itself. The city marines were negative spiral. That is why it was deployed to drive, to connect and to The Task Force on time for drastic interventions. In 2002, add to these efforts. Social Infrastructure this led to a new approach to improve Sana el Fizazi safety, which was all about working City marine Nienke Riemersma (including Ahmed City marine HIC Aboutaleb, then structurally and systematically Getting results Rien van der Steenoven director of Forum) re- towards a safer Rotterdam. On the City marine Spaanse Polder commends the one hand, district-oriented, on the Where ordinary commitment is not Tijs Nederveen Arwin Siermans City marine debts introduction of a other, person-oriented. The aim was enough, the city marines are there City marine Rotterdam-Centrum marine model to tackle to reduce the level of degradation to get results. ‘The best equipped problems in the social and improve the quality of life. This people in the worst places’ is the Danielle van de Heuvel Marcel Dela Haije City marine Carnisse sector more effectively. overarching principle. They solve City marine racism/discrimination Louis van Gennip seemingly insoluble problems, often City marine Waalhaven in an unorthodox way. Enthusiastic, “Perseverance is professional and decisive. They can switch between the strategic and the one of the basic executive level like no others. They have their own resources, a clear components of mission and focus. Their authority comes from a direct line with their the city marines’ clients: the Mayor and the Executive Changing role nuisance and crime, and more collaborative. With an eye for Board of the Municipality and the contact with residents and other domains. A good example is existence.” Steering Group on Safety. This gives Initially, the city marines were businesses working from the bottom the new city marine for Debts. This the city marines extra powers and the quite severe in their role, but this up for a better future. Still energetic role is being deployed at the André Vervooren, freedom to force a breakthrough or has gradually changed. Less and result-oriented, but more unifying interface between debt and crime. director of the Safety Directorate make decisions. direct ‘confrontation’ with visible than ever and even more structurally And in the more demanding cases

6 / 7 “What really makes me happy is to talk to residents and think about ‘our district’. Because if something feels like ‘yours’, you’ll want to take good care of it.” 2001 City marine Hillesluis

The first five-year Veilig City marines (Safety) programme was Genuine Rotterdam adopted by the Rotter - Heritage dam Municipal Council. It advocates The city marines and a person- and area- Rotterdam together have a based approach to where ordinary solutions no longer An example for others history and a future. The city safety with the aid of the help and ‘extra’ unconventional marines have a passion for Safety Index, the Safety attention is required. It’s now impossible to imagine the city and together with the Steering Group and the Rotterdam without the city marines. residents they want to make city marines. Although, there’s still plenty to do. Rotterdam stronger and And what they’ve already done has safer. Not surprisingly, the often been very successful. Always city marines are now inclu- focused on a solution and on results. ded in the active collection of Together with safety partners, their Genuine Rotterdam Heritage extensive network and, last but not (no. 13). With this collection, least, Rotterdammers themselves. Museum Rotterdam show- The Rotterdam city marines have cases the most diverse become an example for many initiatives, vibrant commu- other cities at home and abroad, nities and true Rotterdam 1 including Assen, Breda and Antwerp. residents. Their stories are 2 3 Representatives from other cities very much alive and well, regularly visit Rotterdam to see how having an impact on others the city marines do things here. and so too on the city. In 2002 doing so, they contribute to the progress, social cohesion and inclusive society that The Municipality of Rotterdam aspires to. Rotterdam’s Executive Board consisting of Leefbaar Rotterdam, CDA and VVD names safety as a top priority and appoints the first 13 city marines. .

8 / 9 The six principles of the

2003 city marines approach

Optimisation of their task 1. Working together and making connections and function. City ma - rines become problem The city marine doesn’t do it alone, but cooperates intensively with other parties where owners in the unsafe necessary. The problems are often too complicated to be solved by one party alone. districts. The city marine acts as a partner and as a driving force. In the vast majority of cases, the Task: to demonstrably cooperating partners see the collaboration and the integrated approach pay dividends. improve safety (on the Safety Index) in such a way that ultimately 2. A sense of urgency there are no more unsafe districts. The city marine knows how to create a sense of urgency: something has to be done, ! and it has to be done now! If everyone is aware of this, they will take the necessary measures or expedite them to others. The city marine also creates the conditions for successful collaborations.

3. Go to the core

The city marine doesn’t just look at the surface. They examine the underlying causes of problems, make an analysis, submit this analysis to the parties involved and then tackle it vigorously together with those parties.

4. Feet firmly on the ground

The city marine is found where the problems are greatest. They know what’s going on, they talk to residents, to local businesses, to authorities. They connect, work together, uses their strong information position, accelerate issues and get their teeth into the 2004 - 2005 problem in search of the best solution.

Focus on the approach. 5. Innovative The focus varies from paying attention to If you continue doing what you did, you’ll continue getting what you got. The city marine vagrants, beggars, has the freedom and space to develop new, innovative solutions to persistent problems. addicts and nuisance- causing premises to restructuring neigh - 6. Ability to deliver bourhoods. In this way, opportunities and Whether it concerns reducing burglaries, improving neighbourhood safety scores boundaries for city mari - or building an emergency hospital in Covid-19 time. You can rely on the city marines nes are becoming more to get it done. and more visible.

10 / 11 Portfolios of Ondermijning op Zuid Theorie van verandering

Subversion Wat is onze doelstelling? Een eerlijk, veilig, maatschappelijk integer en rechtvaardig Rotterdam-Zuid waarin het plezierig leven, wonen en werken is.

Wat doen we om Wat verandert er op Wat verandert er op Ve ronde rs tel lingen Wat is de context? verander ing te kor te te rmijn? lange(re) ter mij n? city marines b rengen?

Drug trade, money laundering, human trafficking and  Veiligheid leidt tot welvaart  Rotterdam hot en booming  Bestrijding ondermijning krijgt  (Her)stellen van de norm  Veiligheidsklimaat neemt zodanig langdurig prioriteit en capaciteit toe dat verbeterprogramma’s  Aanpakken complexe,  Dalende veiligheidscijfers:  onzichtbare wereld van

dynamische problematiek vereist stad schoner, heler, veiliger  Stadsmarinier en sGBO ondermijnende structuren wordt kunnen slagen flexibiliteit   Zuid blijft achter  Gemeente, Openbaar Ministerie, zichtbaar Plezierig wonen, werken en verblijven property fraud are examples of subversive crime.  Veiligheid wordt structureel Belastingdienst, Politie werken  Waterbedeffect (geografisch,  Economische crisis of 2006 verbeterd door combinatie samen onder RIEC vlag. branchematig)  Herstel vertrouwen, trots op Zuid paradigmashift handhaving en toezicht, beheer  Gerichte interventies op 5  Begin herstel communicatie  Evenwichtigere en onderhoud, sociaal en fysiek  Rode pil: aandacht voor draaiknoppen (drugs, crimineel bewoners – overheid bevolkingssamenstelling en Criminals use the services of legitimate society. In this investeren en economische ondermijning geld, vastgoed, branches, jeugd)  sociale cohesie ontwikkelingen  NPRZ investeert in school, werk, Tegenaanvallen en framing  Signaleren ondermijning contest  Ruimte voor economische  wonen Discours over Zuid is te eenzijdig ontplooiing lokt gezond  Voorkomen ondermijning  Eerste tekenen andere economie  Criminaliteit vestigt zich waar  Dreigende tweedeling bedrijfsleven way, the underworld and the legitimate world become (arm-rijk, hoog-laagopgeleid)  Pakken ondermijning aan There are two types of city marines: themed marines and area anonimiteit en angst heerst  Economische en sociale  Als je doet wat je deed, krijg je  Schaalvergroting en liberalisering  Stimuleren positieve weerbaarheid: eigen kracht wat je kreeg ontwikkelingen  Imagoboost: Zuid van lelijke The Safety Index gives marines. The themed marines have a thematic, integral approach intertwined. Subversion undermines honest economics,  Communicatie als instrument eendje naar zwaan

Rotterdam a higher and focus on one theme, such as subversion, dealing with debt or poisons the climate for nurturing our children and threatens Ui tvoe ringspri ncipes

score for safety, social integrity. Criminals can thereby influence society,    High Impact Crime. The area marines are responsible for a specific Geen van partners kan problemen alleen zichtbaar maken laat staan oplossen Zorgvuldige informatieuitwisseling Verleiding en nudging naast repressie  Partners handelen als één overheid  Doen is de beste manier van denken  Vroege interventie is effectiever especially in the districts part of the city. causing standards to blur and the feeling of safety and  Problematiek vergt stevige en jarenlange aanpak.  Eigen kracht bewoners en ondernemers  Ondermijning zit in ieders systeem/taak in which the city marines quality of life to decline. are (or have been) ac - tive. The new Executive Board will continue the deployment of the city marines. They are there Approach to subversion to resolve persistent pro - blem situations quickly Tackling invisible criminality is one and effectively, accor- of the highest priorities for the ding to the new Execu - Municipality of Rotterdam. City tive Board programme. marines were involved at the In the meantime, special conception of the current subversion city marines have been approach. To identify, prevent and appointed for a number tackle subversion, the Municipality The city marines are also involved in of problem themes, is working with the police, the Public tackling subversion. A number of city including a personal Prosecutor’s Offce (OM), the Tax and marines are specifcally involved in approach (PGA) and Customs Administration, residents, this, including in the Spaanse Polder, young people. This year, Owners’ Associations (VvEs) and one of Europe’s largest business the city marines win the small businesses, among others. parks, and on Rotterdam’s southside. Hein Roethof Award for combating and preven - ting crime.

“The challenge is to make the Spaanse Polder 2007 - 2008 a good and healthy working area. There is no place here for rogue car (rental) companies that supply cars to criminals or store and transport large batches of drugs.”

City marine in the Spaanse Polder

12 / 13 “I am proud when I get things moving, when steps are taken to gradually suppress subversion.”

City marine for Subversion - Waalhaven Discussion about questions: when will the task of the city marines be completed and who is now actually responsible? Despite increasing efforts, safety is stagnating in some city marine districts. Role of a city marine 2009 The city marine is one of the links in the integrated safety approach that is intended to make subversive and At the request of the organised (serious) crime visible. Municipal Council It is precisely this visibility that is (part of which believes important, because when subversion that the city marines occurs there is a mixing of the have become institutio - underworld and the legitimate world. nalised), Administrative Such as money laundering via the Prof. Pieter Tops hospitality industry, extortion and evaluates the role of the threats to government offcials. city marines. His conclu - Invisible crime can best be combated Gathering information laundering, dubious premises than 125 kilos of hard drugs were sion: ‘wrong in principle, by signalling, preventing, tackling owners or a cannabis plantation. seized in Rotterdam-Zuid and but useful and deterring those crimes and by Any approach is, and will remain, Preferably to the police, but it can administrative fnes were paid for in practice’. His stimulating positive developments. dependent on the facts. That is why also be done with an Anonymous withdrawing homes from the housing discussion partners The city marine does this together the city marine collects as much Crime Report. The city marine is also stock. More important than these are unanimous ‘about with security partners, residents information as possible and available to residents and business hard results is that attention and the indispensability of and businesses. identifes, for example, an area where owners. The city marine then vigilance regarding invisible crime city marines for subversion plays a role. Collaboration ensures that the necessary actions has grown. The city marines have the Rotterdam City with the parties involved is essential, are carried out. contributed to this in their own Council.’ In November including businesses, but certainly way. At the end of the day, it is 2009, the Executive also the residents of Rotterdam. all about transforming places where Board decided to The help of Rotterdammers is Results subversion is taking place into make the city marines indispensable in spotting and economically fourishing areas where an ‘essential and combating subversive crime. It is The integrated approach to people are empowered and where structural’ part of not without reason that increasing subversive crime is producing results. it is pleasant to live and work. Rotterdam’s City social resilience is one of the For example, 209 hemp farms were Council. End of the spearheads of the approach. It is dismantled in Rotterdam in 2019, discussion on the tem - important that people report their more than fourteen million euros in porary nature of the city suspicions regarding money criminal assets were seized, more marines’ role.

14 / 15 High Impact Crime

Muggings, robberies, home burglaries and excessive violence solutions to prevent crimes are also are crimes that have a considerable impact on people and their important. Perpetrators do not sit still environment. These so-called High Impact Crime (HIC) crimes and shift their boundaries. All this require a targeted, integrated approach. To this end, the Municipality calls for a tailor-made structural of Rotterdam works together with, among others, the police, the approach. The city marine ensures Public Prosecutor’s Office (OM), the Parole Board, City Management that topics remain current and that and the Rotterdam-Rijnmond Care and Safety House and the housing there is a constant focus. corporations. Naturally, local residents and business owners in the districts are also involved in the approach. All with the aim of increasing safety and quality of life. Results 2010 Figures from 2019 show that Tackling High Impact Crimes dilemmas and knows what the impact since 2012, the number of home of high impact crimes can be. It is burglaries (-58%), muggings (-65%) The role of the city mari - The integrated, joint HIC approach important that there is continued and robberies (-43%) has decreased. ne will be adapted to the is based on three pillars: attention given to HIC crimes. After Although this doesn’t mean that the changed all, even if good results are achieved, problems have disappeared. One circumstances. The city 1. Reduced recidivism, for shifting attention and slackening of the challenges is to reduce crime marines are transformed example by means of an focus is not an option. Every mug- rates even more and to further reduce into a collective. They intensive, person-oriented ging, robbery and home burglary is the number of HIC crimes. Prevention can be deployed for approach for perpetrators of one too many. One of the challenges and suppression go hand in hand, acute safety problems, HIC crimes; the so-called HIT is therefore to break the cyclical as do long-term and ad hoc actions. and as a recovery force “Every success is one. Every resident that approach (High Impact Target). trend of HIC crimes. Giving space All these elements come together in for persistent, run-down for modern, creative and innovative the tailor-made hotspot approach. problem areas. The Sa - we can help move forward is one of my greatest 2. Prevention, such as the fety Steering Group will occurrence of burglaries through, also be introduced into motivations. Making a victim feel comfortable for example, better window and the district. door locks in homes, security again in their own home or business. scans and training for business owners. Counselling an offender, so he doesn’t 3. Aftercare for victims. reoffend. We are fully committed to prevention,

in order to reduce the chance of both being a Role of a city marine

perpetrator and of being a victim.” Within the integral, joint approach, the city marine for High Impact City marine for High Impact Crime Crime (HIC) has an important role to play. One of the tasks of the city marine is to oversee, analyse and develop initiatives together with partners. The city marine has a lot of experience with security-related

16 / 17 Approach for Debt

For many people who are in debt, a way out can often seem very far away. In Rotterdam, there are some 60,000 problematic cases of people in debt. People who, for example, can no longer pay their rent and literally and figuratively become ill from the ‘debt stress’. 2011 - 2012

Under the new Tackling debt Role of a city marine approach, city marines become responsible The Municipality of Rotterdam All in all, dealing with debt is a for all districts that wants to effectively tackle the debt big job, in which a special role is score lower than 6 in the problem in the city. To this end, it has reserved for the city marine for Debt. Safety Index. adopted the new working method They are called in by colleagues from Attention is also paid ‘Reset Rotterdam, on the road to a Social Development in complex debt to prevention and debt-free generation of Rotterdam- issues; the more severe cases where aftercare. Proposals for mers.’ In a few years time, 15,000 ordinary solutions no longer help and an approach (devised people will need to be helped with ‘extra’, unconventional attention is together with others) are their debt problems, with a focus on required. They are also there for submitted to the Safety young people aged between 18 and colleagues or other debt relief Steering Group in the 27. For this purpose, a perspective agencies where cases have stalled form of an fund will be made available, which will and need to be brought to a action programme. enable the Municipality to take over successful conclusion. The city The approach is the debts of young people, subject to marine for Debts acts as a kind of eventually endorsed certain conditions and criteria. mediator when people cannot reach by the various partners a solution with the Municipality/ debt subversion, such as companies and “With the city marine for Debts, we have a in the district. relief agency. A situation that gets agencies wanting to take advantage bogged down and only comes to an of the debts of others. By taking over crowbar that will apply the right pressure end when the case makes headway. debts, for example, and then impo- sing substantial interest rates or high when conventional solutions don’t work.” costs. This only gets people deeper Integral cooperation into trouble. Michiel Grauss, Vice Mayor for Combating Poverty and Debt, Municipality of Rotterdam Integral cooperation with partners is essential for the effective use of Results the city marine for Debt. It is im- portant that people in debt know The approach to debt through Reset where to fnd the city marine and Rotterdam and the deployment of that the marine knows where their the city marine was set in motion in target group is. It is about signalling, 2019. The results will be visible in responding and reducing stress. due course. Debt counselling should, therefore, not add extra stress. When a solution is within reach, stress is reduced. In addition, the city marine tackles

18 / 19 Areas / districts

City marines are deployed in areas of Rotterdam where problems of safety are more frequent and often more persistent. In recent years, city marines have been active in the , 2012-2016 Bospolder-Tussendijken (BoTu), Hillesluis and Carnisse districts. Each area requires a tailor-made approach. they talk to residents and business owners, maintain contact with all Rotterdam now also the important bodies in a district/ works with the district area, such as the police, municipal profile, which consists services, housing associations of three indexes: social, Approach to areas priority being dealt with frst. and residents’ and business physical and safety. As Based on this, an approach with associations. Where necessary, a result, the work of the The safety approach focuses on the necessary interventions is they act as a mediator. As a direct city marines is being those areas/ districts where safety designed, implemented and representative of the Mayor, the city broadened to include problems are persistent. On the basis monitored. marine has the authority from him or social, physical and eco - of data and observations, the from the Executive Board to force a nomic domains. There problems are identifed and the breakthrough. are three city marines specifc approach required for the The role of city marines with special tasks: area in question is examined, as well as the bodies that should be involved. The city marine is deployed Connecting with each other - one for HIC (High Then comes focus: with the things where the problems are greatest. wsafely and socially Impact Crimes), home that need to be done as a matter of They know what’s going on, burglary, mugging and The city marine identifes the robberies; underlying problems and safely connects them with social, physical - one that will be and economical causes. Repression deployed in all areas of alone is not a sustainable solution. activity where What is needed, above all, is to necessary (flying strengthen weak areas and make goalie); sustainable connections. When a city marine leaves an area, they hand - one for subversion things over to others who can take (identifying, preventing over. That cannot be done in a hurry; and dealing it takes time. with often invisible criminal activities).

2016-2018

20 / 21 “It feels good when people sort something out by themselves, take the initiative themselves. Such as an initiative like the Onwijze Moeders (Wise Mothers). This is

With the residents a group of mothers who successfully

In order to get rid of the negative reduced the problems around the Valentine image of a district/area, the residents play an important role. They are able School on the Driehoeksplein. They wanted to make a difference like no others. Supporting them in this and giving their children to be able to play safely there them confdence and, if necessary, participating themselves, is also an and not be confronted with drugs and crime.” important task of the city marine. Together, problems can be tackled City marine Bospolder-Tussendijken decisively.

Resultaten

Rotterdam is on the right track when it comes to safety. The safety index rose on average from 100 (2014) to 110 (2020). The District Profle* 2020 Dealing with sub- shows that Rotterdam is becoming version is receiving safer and residents feel safer. Ne- more and more vertheless, the city has a number of attention, for example, districts that are not yet experiencing *District Profile through the appointment the same positive development. The of the city marine in district-oriented approach, together The District Profle is the thermometer of the city. Spaanse Polder. This with the efforts of the city marines, It shows how the 14 areas and 71 districts are is the first city marine should ensure that these districts can doing socially, physically and in terms of safety. to be fully dedicated beneft from the developments taking The District Profle includes a social index (e.g. to an industrial estate. place elsewhere in Rotterdam. housing situation, contact with local residents), a Another city marine for physical index (e.g. vacant premises, residential subversion is also being experience) and a safety index (e.g. crime and appointed. nuisance). The District Profle scores are based on measurable facts and fgures (e.g. from the police) and the experiences of Rotterdam residents. Their experiences and opinions account for ffty percent of the score. Area policy is drawn up or adjusted on the basis of these fgures.

22 / 23 The Marines and Rotterdam are closely

2019-present connected The operational field of the city marine is broa - dening. This becomes evident with Rotterdam and the Marines have a close bond. Apart from a few the appointment of the interruptions, Rotterdam has been their home base for almost two city marine for Debts centuries. The headquarters of the Royal Marine Corps is (social domain). located in the port city. During the battle for Rotterdam in May 1940, the Marines gained a lot of affection and gratitude from the population through their contribution to the defence of the city.

The Rotterdam and Marines Maintaining contact Foundation is concerned with promoting good relations between The Marine Corps is an elite force Rotterdam and its Marines. Thanks to which is deployed in crisis situations. Ghent Barracks in Rotterdam. As a “Just as the army sends its marines to this foundation, the Marine Monument There is a link with the city marines. result, at-risk youngsters from the city was erected in 1963 on the Oostplein, They too have been and are deployed can go bivouacking with the Navy to the most diffcult places. Together with others, where the frst Marine Barracks where the need is greatest. That learn about things like discipline and once stood. Since then, the offcial creates a bond. The city marines, cooperation. Rotterdam is using its city marines to make ceremony commemorating the therefore, maintain close contact marines killed during the war has with their fellow marines at the Van Rotterdam safer. City marines are the only been held here annually in the Proud of the name ‘marines’ presence of the Mayor. marines without uniforms.” (Source: Rotterdam and Marines Foundation) The city marines are proud to be called ‘marines’. When the city Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam marines were established in 2002, the real marines had to get used to the fact that others were going to use their name. But during a visit to the Van Ghent Barracks at the time, the commander indicated that they now like it very much. “You are worthy of being called marines”, stated the commander.

24 / 25 “City marines are Colophon

This is a publication of focused on a safe, the Municipality of Rotterdam’s Safety Directorate, in commission from the city connected city” marines

Editor Wijvan010 in collaboration with the Safety Directorate and the Rotterdam city marines I have been director of the Safety Directorate since 2011. And I still consider Design it an honour to be in command of the Tappan Rotterdam city marines. It is with great pleasure and pride that I write the after- Photography word in this booklet. This has once again Jan van der Ploeg, Angeniet become a book that you can read in one Berkers, Mark Nolte, Joost van breath. At the same time, it is a cross- der Vleuten section of what is happening to the inha- bitants of the city. What they have to deal Printer

Photo: David Rozing with in terms of safety and how they can be MediaCenter Rotterdam helped where necessary. It gives a good picture of the extra efforts we make to be able to grow up, live, work Circulation and go out together in a safe and pleasant way. 1.000 copies

Date Prioritising January 2021

What can be added to the story and working methods of these For an up-to-date overview people who work so hard for the city of Rotterdam? I will limit myself of the city marines and the to one observation. The city marines are simply getting on with it. distribution of their themes/ Most especially on the street and in the districts. And a little less areas, please visit www.rotter- in writing... It took almost two years to produce this brochure! Why dam.nl/ stadsmariniers is that? A question of priorities. City marines don’t write much, but mainly spend their time listening to where the need is and where No part of this text may be they can make a difference with targeted interventions. This takes copied or reproduced without up a lot of their time and energy. A contribution to a booklet, the consent of the copyright however useful and important it may be, is then not at number 1 holder. on their agenda. In doing so, our city marines show their focus on a safe, connected city. But all this makes this booklet a unique Copies of this publication document and should not be absent from the bookcase of anyone can be obtained from: who has a passion for this vibrant city. Secretary of the Safety Directorate P.O. Box 70012 André Vervooren, 3000 KP Rotterdam Director of the Safety Directorate [email protected]

26 / 27 Contact the city marines?

Go to www.rotterdam.nl/stadsmariniers