Undermining is a collective term for various forms of crime. These include illegal hemp cultivation, drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking such as forced prostitution and labor exploitation, criminal motorcycle gangs, threats and intimidation, healthcare fraud and real estate fraud. These are usually crimes that are not immediately visible but do not always take place behind closed doors. It can occur, for example, under the cover of an apparently legal organization.

By subversion, we also mean crime that takes advantage of government or competent authority. For example, criminals who apply for a permit or subsidy for an apparently normal activity, but which is ultimately intended to launder money. By issuing such a permit or subsidy, the competent authority unintentionally facilitates crime.

Undermining is organized crime. Criminals make a lot of money and power from it.

Why is undermining a problem?

To carry out their criminal activities, criminals use a variety of legal services and facilities. For example, they apply for permits, set up businesses, and rent and buy premises. As a result, criminals are unintentionally facilitated by the "upper world. Because of this mixing between "underworld" and "upper world," people and businesses may unintentionally come into contact with criminals.

In addition, undermining creates an unfair society. Public funds are misused, entrepreneurs cannot compete with businesses financed with illegal money, and it is frustrating to see criminals living a life of luxury.

Undermining also affects livability and security and creates nuisances.

What are suspicious situations and how do you recognize them?

• The barber or the store around the corner where a customer never comes.

• The tenant who wants to pay large sums only in cash.

• The neighbor who always has taped windows.

• That guy with an overpriced car in front and a small wallet.

• The home where unknown people walk in and out at all sorts of times.

These are suspicious situations that may be related to organized crime. You, too, may consciously or unconsciously come into contact with them. Criminals abuse other people to carry out their activities.

Consequences of undermining

The consequences of undermining are great for neighborhood safety and livability. When growing hemp, for example, the risk of fire is high. Drug manufacturing involves the risk of explosion or the release of life-threatening gases. The dumping of drug waste pollutes the soil and our drinking water. We pay the remediation costs together. Healthcare fraud harms the most vulnerable in our society. People do not get the Health they need and fraudsters use the money to benefit themselves. As a result, healthcare costs rise, and again, society gets the bill. In short: we all suffer.

Suspected organized crime? Report it!

As a municipality, we work with the police, judiciary and other security partners to tackle undermining. Criminal activities take place secretly. It sometimes takes a long time for the government to discover them. This is why your help is desperately needed. You can help fight undermining by being alert and by reporting suspicions. Because of its invisibility, it is extra important to report it.

Are you seeing suspicious situations that you feel something is not right? Is it too good to be true? Report your suspicions to the police(0900-8844) or to Report Crime Anonymously(0800-7000).