A safe city for all of us
Unfortunately, the city is still far from safe for everyone. Racism and discrimination are still present in the police force, far too little money is invested in shelter for victims of gender-based violence, and the city is not always safe for LGBTQI+ people either. Amsterdam BIJ1 wants to protect the inhabitants of Amsterdam against the racism, classism and ableism by the police, gender-basedviolence, and unnecessary and discriminating action in the case of drug use and misunderstood behaviour.
Amsterdam BIJ1 wants to legalise the use and possession of drugs. Because drug sales take place in the criminal circuit, they often go hand in hand with violence. Therefore, legalisation is the best option to prevent any further violence. In addition, gun violence among young people is on the rise; especially in the districts Nieuw-West, Noord and Zuidoost this is a cause for concern. Amsterdam BIJ1 is fully committed to policies that tackle the cause of this violence - poverty and unequal opportunities.
For a safe and just Amsterdam, BIJ1 wants to ensure the following:
- The municipality admits that what are called 'development neighbourhoods' are actually disadvantaged neighbourhoods. That is why the municipality is putting more money into these neighbourhoods to fight poverty, among other things.
- Residents are given a greater advisory role in how gun violence and crime are combated in their neighbourhood.
- The municipality will investigate how and when restorative justice can be used instead of criminal justice.
- The police will not be allowed to carry out stop and searches.
- The municipality is investigating the possibilities of allowing the cultivation, possession and sale of soft drugs in Amsterdam.
- The municipality introduces a independent registration point for violence and discrimination by the police.
- The municipality is committed to stop ethnic profiling. That is why the use of a portable camera and the introduction of stop forms for all police checks will become standard.
- Police violence against people with misunderstood behaviour must be stopped. In case of reports on 'confused behaviour', domestic violence and psychosocial problems, a mental health specialist will always accompany the police.
- The municipality is committed to stopping the use of dangerous arrest techniques such as neck holds.
- The license to violence of BOA’s are abolished. The municipality does not allow BOA’s to carry service weapons or electric shock weapons.
- The municipality will develop an approach to gender-based violence, a teaching programme for schools and a campaign to make it more accessible to report gender-based violence. In the approach of gender-based violence, male emancipation will play a central role.
- Extra attention and money will be spent on caring for and supporting victims of domestic and gender-based violence.
- A special programme and campaign will be set up to combat the increasing unsafety of LGBTQI+ people.
- The municipality will offer extra training to the police and security personnel about LGBTQI+ safety.
- The city will open a special shelter for homeless LGBTQI+ people.