Amsterdam Grapples with Safety Concerns Following Lisa’s Murder, Lighting Issues Persist
Amsterdam is facing renewed scrutiny over public safety, particularly for women, following the murder of 17-year-old Lisa in Duivendrecht last August. Reports indicate that despite promises from city officials to improve lighting and security in vulnerable areas, significant issues remain, leaving residents feeling unsafe.
Lisa was attacked in the early hours of , while cycling home from Amsterdam. She alerted emergency services during the attack, but police arrived to find her body near the water’s edge on Holterbergweg. A suspect, also linked to a separate sexual assault case, was quickly apprehended.
The Holterbergweg, the secluded road where Lisa was murdered, has long been known for its safety hazards. Over the past two years, the municipality of Amsterdam received more than 100 reports of broken streetlights along the route, according to Pointer and AD reports. One woman interviewed by Pointer described the area as her “fear spot for years,” stating, “If something happens there, no one will hear you.” The location is also characterized by poor lighting, isolation, and dense vegetation that limits visibility.
Concerns extend beyond Holterbergweg. Some women report feeling unsafe cycling along the A2 or the Amstel River, highlighting a broader issue of safety for those traveling by bicycle at night. Officials from the nearby Emma Children’s Hospital have repeatedly complained about the poor lighting and overgrown vegetation, reporting difficulties in getting issues addressed through the Ouder-Amstel municipal app, which often referred them back to Amsterdam’s jurisdiction.
“Before I heard anything back, months often passed,” one hospital staff member said. “Sometimes they said the problem was fixed, but it wasn’t always. Other times, I was told to contact the municipality of Amsterdam and had to report it again.” The hospital has since implemented measures to protect its staff, including coordinating rides and providing security escorts to public transport after dark, alongside increased police patrols around Holendrecht station.
The case sparked widespread national attention and public debate around women’s safety in public spaces. In September 2025, Amsterdam announced a €6 million package of measures aimed at improving women’s safety, including a dedicated police team to address complaints of violence against women and training to recognize signs of femicide.
However, recent reports suggest that progress has been slow. NL Times reported on February 11, 2026, that Amsterdam-Zuidoost is testing new tunnel lighting designs to improve safety for women. Meanwhile, AT5 News reported on February 6, 2026, that temporary lighting has been installed at Sloterplas following a threat to two women, but noted that the lighting had been broken for months.
Other municipalities are also taking action. Nieuwsuur’s survey found that several councils have responded to Lisa’s murder by installing security cameras, increasing patrols, or trimming hedges. Some have also conducted surveys of street lighting in consultation with local women and revised policies on domestic violence and public intimidation. Ouder-Amstel, for example, has placed extra cameras along Holterbergweg and trimmed bushes.
Rotterdam has carried out a survey of dark areas, specifically seeking input from women on their perceptions of safety. Wieke van de Haterd, overseeing public safety in Rotterdam’s IJsselmonde district, emphasized that lighting alone is insufficient. “The feeling of being unsafe comes from thick foliage or the fact that nobody is visible along the route,” she told NOS. “We look at social safety as well: where can you turn to if something’s not right?”
The Hague has launched an online portal for residents to flag unsafe areas, while Hilversum received 150 responses after asking residents to identify problematic spots. The investigation into Lisa’s murder continues, with the accused man scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, according to DutchNews.nl.
