lochem offers residents €1000 to boost home security near new asylum center
Lochem, dinsdag, 17 februari 2026.
Residents and businesses near the new asylum seekers center on Ampsenseweg in Lochem will receive up to €1000 from the municipality. This financial support is not a damage claim but aims to improve personal safety and comfort amid growing social tension. Households can use the funds for preventive measures like cameras, better locks, or outdoor lighting. Up to 24 addresses qualify, totaling €24,000 from the emergency shelter fund. What makes this move remarkable is that Lochem explicitly states it is not legally responsible for disturbances linked to the center. Still, it chooses to act to gain public support and restore calm. The decision breaks from earlier policy, which placed full responsibility on the national government and COA. Legal experts inside the council warn of potential precedents. The first asylum seekers, mostly large families, are expected in mid-March.
financial support for residents near lochem asylum center
Residents and businesses near the asylum seekers center on Ampsenseweg in Lochem will receive up to €1000 from the municipality [1]. This payment is not a compensation for damages, nor does it imply legal liability by the local government [2]. Instead, it is intended to enhance personal feelings of safety and livability amid rising social tensions surrounding the facility [3]. The funds can be used for preventive security upgrades such as surveillance cameras, improved locks, or additional outdoor lighting [4].
limited scope and funding source
Up to 24 households and businesses located close to the site are eligible under the scheme [1]. The total cost of the initiative amounts to €24,000, calculated as 24000, which will be drawn entirely from the national emergency shelter reserve fund designated for displaced persons [2][5]. While the measure targets private properties, the city administration stresses that it bears no formal responsibility for preventing disturbances caused by the center’s operations [3]. This distinction underscores the exceptional nature of the intervention.
shift in municipal policy approach
The decision marks a notable departure from previous municipal strategy, which consistently referred responsibilities to the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) [1][4]. Under prior agreements, both operational oversight and associated costs were assigned to the national government and its agencies [2]. By choosing to allocate funds despite lacking legal obligation, the town council frames the action as being in the broader public interest [3]. However, internal discussions among legal advisors highlight concerns about setting a precedent other municipalities might feel compelled to follow [5].
implementation timeline and community consultation
The subsidy proposal is currently open for public review and feedback until March 6, allowing affected parties to submit comments before a final vote by the executive board [1][4]. Concurrently, construction work at the site is progressing [2]. The COA has begun preparations to activate 40 of the planned 185 reception spaces, converting four existing bungalows for immediate use [3]. Authorities expect the arrival of the first group of asylum seekers—primarily large families—in the second week of March [5].
security measures and integration efforts
Local authorities emphasize that standard protocols remain in place to support integration and maintain order [1]. These include mandatory traffic education sessions, inspections for bicycle lighting compliance, and enhanced supervision around the facility [4]. Such initiatives align with previously agreed-upon conditions meant to minimize disruptions in the neighborhood [2]. Despite these assurances, skepticism persists among some residents who question why private security enhancements are necessary if public safety risks are negligible [5]. Community trust remains fragile during this transitional phase.