Rotterdam and Amsterdam implement surveillance measures

Rotterdam utilizes approximately 580 municipal surveillance cameras to combat crime and maintain public order. The highest concentrations are located in the Centrum (162 cameras), Charlois (122), and Feijenoord (112) districts. These cameras are monitored 24/7 by municipal staff, who can alert the police or city management to incidents such as violence, robbery, or drug trafficking. Footage is stored on a secure server for two weeks and is accessible to the police for criminal investigations under strict conditions. The system does not use facial recognition.

In Amsterdam, Mayor Femke Halsema has introduced temporary camera surveillance in the Floradorp neighborhood to prevent further unrest. The measure follows several nights of confrontations between residents and police after the municipality rejected plans for an annual bonfire due to safety concerns. The unrest included small fires and fireworks being thrown at officers, necessitating intervention by the mobile unit. The temporary surveillance is scheduled to remain in place until January 7 to help maintain order while local tensions persist.