Are your neighbours constantly setting off fireworks? Or have you seen someone doing something dangerous with them? As of today, you can report this to the City Council.
Today is the first day of the ‘Meld vuurwerkoverlast‘ (Report Fireworks Nuisance) campaign. Eindhoven residents can use the BuitenBeter app or telephonically on 14040 to report this until 1 January 2020. The Municipality wants to bring attention to how big the problem is, and where it is occurring.
There will, however, be no extra enforcement or fireworks-free zones in Eindhoven. This is according to a press statement released by the Eindhoven City Council. No special enforcement will be done. The police and city management department do not have enough staff to do so.
How serious is the problem?
The Municipality wants to use the information gained over this New Year’s period to see how serious the issue is, and in which parts of the city, it is most prevalent. This data will be used in a plan of action for the 2020/2021 New Year period. A renewed fireworks show, fitting the innovative image of Eindhoven will also be considered.
Earlier this year, at the City Council’s request, a survey about New Year’s fireworks was carried out among 4,200 Eindhoven residents. The main conclusion was that 6 out of 10 Eindhoven residents (62%) are in favour of a central fireworks display in the city, says the press release.
For 55% of the people in Eindhoven, this can be combined with a fireworks ban for private individuals. A quarter, mainly young people, (26%) light fireworks themselves. Almost half of Eindhoven’s residence (47%) experience fireworks nuisance during the New Year period.
No fireworks-free zones
Eindhoven has chosen not to have fireworks-free zones. According to the press statement, this merely leads to more uncertainty and nuisance.
It is easy to report excessive fireworks. Simply use the BuitenBeter app or phone 14040, on business days, from 09:00 to 17:00. You can download the BuitenBeter app for free via the various app stores or eindhoven.nl/buitenbeter.
If there is severe damage or injuries, please phone the police on 112 or, if it is not an emergency, on 0900-8844.
Source: Gemeente Eindhoven
Translator: Melinda Walraven
