On May 5, 2025, the renewed approach for a safe and welcoming Donderberg shopping centre was launched. Both visitors and entrepreneurs value safety in and around the shopping centre. This new approach is made possible by the WOP (neighbourhood development process) and means there will be increased supervision during opening hours by Safened security personnel. Additionally, an extra community enforcement officer (BOA) will be deployed by Stadstoezicht specifically for Donderberg. These BOAs will work directly with the supervisors inside the shopping centre, enabling a quick response in case of incidents or emergencies.
Jean Goessen, community enforcement officer: “We are very happy with this expansion and collaboration. It benefits the safety of the neighbourhood. With the addition of a third community BOA, we now have more capacity. We maintain good communication and have clear work agreements, also with the police.”
Robbert Bakker, regional team leader South at Safened: “We’ve been working in the city centre and at the Retail Park for a while now – successfully. By collaborating, we shorten communication lines and can respond and solve problems faster. We patrol preventively and observe a lot. We’ve been opening and closing the Donderberg shopping centre for years. We know the building and surrounding area well. We now also monitor dangerous traffic situations in the parking area.”
Supervision will take place not only inside the shopping centre, but also in the surrounding area. Additionally, a collective shopping ban is being introduced. This means that if someone is banned from one store, they are no longer welcome in the entire shopping centre. The shopkeepers are united in this approach, providing additional safety for visitors, staff, and entrepreneurs.
The small-scale shopping centre attracts many visitors, also from other neighbourhoods. It offers a wide variety of shops, is easily accessible, and has plenty of parking spaces.
