Rotterdam restricts area to residents-only overnight to fight street races, noise

Rotterdam has restricted overnight access to large parts of the De Esch district to only people who live and work in the area in an effort to curb the severe nuisance residents have been suffering for years. The nighttime ban on outsiders took effect on Thursday, and the police issued over 20 fines on the first night, ANP reported. Residents are optimistic.

The ban was devised after years of residents complaining about street races, noise, drugs, and litter. Locals told NOS that the nuisance started shortly after the coronavirus crisis and has persisted for nearly three years. According to locals, the nuisance is mostly caused by people from outside the area.

The municipality hopes that the ban will restore peace. Every night from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., the police will fine anyone in De Esch who doesn’t belong there. The ban does not apply to residents, visitors of residents, people who work in the area, people attending an event in the district, or people visiting a hospitality venue there. The ban will be evaluated after three months.

“Peace must return to De Esch, and residents must feel comfortable and safe. That is why I am using this authority,” Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten said. The ban follows several other measures, including increased surveillance, addressing problem causers, and placing concrete blocks, which proved insufficient.

Residents are optimistic. After years of sleepless nights, De Esch was quiet last night. “I slept wonderfully,” one local told Rijnmond. “I sleep on the street side and was bothered by noise, screaming, and honking cars almost every night,” she said. “Even with earplugs in, I could hear them. They also always leave a lot of trash behind. But now the street is completely clean.”