Overview
- Nightly occupancy rose from 2,035 to 2,061 and then 2,076 from Friday through Monday, the highest count since November 12.
- Exceeding the 2,000-person cap costs €50,000 per day, bringing total penalties to €2.25 million with a €5 million ceiling that could be reached as early as February.
- The registration site has been over capacity on 45 of just over 90 days since early September.
- Recurring crowding is attributed to too few places in regular reception centres, limited municipal emergency shelter, and housing shortages that prevent status holders from moving on.
- Westerwolde intends to invest the fines in developing Ter Apel’s centre, with the municipal council to decide allocations in the first half of next year.