Did you know that farmers in Voerendaal just sat down together with the police and the mayor to make the countryside safer? At the Keijbets family farm, a special lunch was organized, and it was way more than just a social gathering.
The theme was clear: together strong for a safe rural area. And at the table were not just farmers, but also:
- Community police officers
- Enforcement officers (BOAs)
- A confidential advisor
- The local gamekeeper
- The mayor
- Agricultural organizations LLTB and PVO
Why does this matter? Criminal activity in rural areas is on the rise. Think illegal drug labs, chemical dumpings, and burglaries at isolated locations. Farmers are often the first to notice suspicious activity. By working together and keeping short communication lines with police and the municipality, the countryside becomes much harder to exploit.
See something suspicious in the rural area? Report it via the municipality website 👉 https://www.voerendaal.nl/over-voerendaal/veiligheid
The rural areas of South Limburg are extra vulnerable because their location near the borders with Belgium and Germany gives criminals quick escape routes. That is exactly why local awareness from farmers and residents is so crucial: they are literally the first eyes and ears in places where police simply cannot be present around the clock.
Source: Municipality of Voerendaal
