Pointer 2026

Since councilor Ashley North rolled out the new parking policy in Leiden, he has become the target of online hate and threats. He is increasingly being verbally abused on the street, until eventually, at a residents' meeting, he is threatened with death multiple times. How could it escalate to this point? Currently, about half of local politicians are dealing with aggression. Local party leader Femke Hoekstra-Wittebol also experiences this, having been intimidated and insulted online for almost a year. Why is it so difficult to curb this problem? Are we doing enough to tackle online perpetrators?

Fights, humiliations, and bullying that are filmed and spread across various social media platforms: a growing group of underage youths is involved in this type of violence video. Researchers call it hybrid violence: the violence is already severe for the victims, but because it is spread online, the damage increases further. A survey among schools shows that this new phenomenon also causes problems at school. What can be done against this form of hybrid violence? And, what is the responsibility of the social media platforms?

The municipality of Zaanstad is using heavy artillery to tackle crime in poor neighborhoods. To weed out the bad apples, the window cleaning industry is being overhauled. Other municipalities are also trying to get a handle on businesses with strict inspections and measures, for example, in the automotive industry, where they combat money laundering and drug trafficking. How far can a municipality go in this regard? And what do all these measures mean for bona fide businesses?

Empty shops, unused display windows: Dutch shopping streets are struggling with vacancies, while the housing shortage is sky-high. In medium-sized municipalities like Apeldoorn, Rijswijk, and Zeist, vacancy rates often exceed ten percent. Yet, we could build tens of thousands of homes just on the floors above shops. But that's not happening because of a mountain of restrictive regulations. For example, every home must have a parking space, even for car-free residents. A business owner shows how he's lived with a building for four years. House hunters are watching with dismay. How many opportunities are we missing?

Prisoners are entitled to the same care as other Dutch citizens. But for Anna, who has been incarcerated for six months, things have gone terribly wrong during this time. The medical care she receives is severely inadequate, and she leaves prison in a wheelchair. How could this have gone so wrong? For decades, experts have warned that prison care is sometimes inadequate. For example, guards without medical training are responsible for dispensing medication, and ongoing care programs are not always continued. Why is this so difficult to change?

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