Residents near Aarhus care home report break-ins and drug dealing as municipality considers fencing

Residents living near the Østervang care facility in Tranbjerg, Aarhus, say persistent crime—including frequent break-ins and open drug trade—has made the area unsafe, particularly for children, DR reports. The municipality is now evaluating whether installing a fence along the property boundary could help reduce the problems.

Nicholaj Bach, who has lived in a townhouse adjacent to the facility for nearly nine years, described ongoing issues with discarded needles, broken bottles, public intoxication, and fights. “People queue up to drop off drugs here,” he said. “There’s so much dealing going on.” His own property has been targeted in three break-ins over the years, while police data shows that in 2025, one in four of all break-ins reported in Tranbjerg occurred on his street, Trankær Mosevej. Four additional break-ins have already been recorded there in 2026.

The situation has forced Bach to restrict his children’s outdoor play. “My kids are 12 and 10, and they’ve never been allowed to play outside alone,” he said. “They don’t build forts in the woods like other children can. It’s sad they can’t explore freely.” Despite the problems, he noted that relocating is difficult due to school ties and family routines.

Bach has proposed erecting a fence along the gravel path and tree line separating the residential area from Østervang, arguing it could disrupt drug dealers’ access. “If they can’t cut through there, they’d have to operate near the main entrance, where there’s camera surveillance,” he explained. Jakob May, the facility’s manager, confirmed they are “seriously considering” the idea, though he emphasized existing security measures, including 24-hour patrols and police collaboration.

Not all residents believe a fence would solve the core issues. Inge Merete Bossow, chair of the local homeowners’ association, called the proposal inadequate. “They already wander into people’s gardens and try doorknobs at night,” she said. “A fence won’t stop that.” Bossow, who has lived in the area for 37 years, contrasted the current problems with the facility’s earlier years, when it housed only homeless individuals without the same levels of substance abuse, violence, or threats.

Aarhus Municipality acknowledged the residents’ concerns. Henriette Halgaard Rasmussen, operations chief for social services, said they are assessing the fence proposal’s feasibility and cost, in consultation with police. The facility’s capacity has already been reduced from 66 to 44 places in recent years in response to past incidents.