The recent wave of violence is horrifying even in the north. Many are concerned about the safety of their relatives and friends. Violence is also feared to spread throughout the country.
The violence in southern Sweden also shocks the residents of northern Sweden. Many of the people living in Haaparanta have previously lived in southern Sweden, but at that time it was a different time – there was no gang violence like it is now. The unrest also worries the people of Asapranta for their relatives and friends.
Hilkka Komulainen has lived in Sweden since the mid-1960s, for a long time in Borås and now in Haparanna.
– This is terrible. I’m not terribly afraid for myself, but the future is scary. Where exactly are we going, what will become of this?
Komulainen worries about his relatives and hopes that his granddaughter, who lives in Stockholm, will move out of there.
– I do have to call to get out of there already, says Komulainen.
– But that granddaughter doesn’t seem to be coming out of there.
Also Paula Esperi says that he is horrified by the recent wave of violence.
– It has gotten out of hand. There are gangs, drugs. You can get weapons anywhere. Yes, it’s scary.
Esperi also fears that violence and other problems will spread to the north.
– There are already signs of gangs in Umeå, why wouldn’t they come here as well.
“Harder grips are needed”
Esperi believes that his part in the development is too loose upbringing.
– Has everything been given too easily? They have been algae-based and ironed on the head. A person must have norms, rules (rules), Esperi reflects.
In Esper’s opinion, tougher measures are now needed and the police should be given more power and opportunities to act.
Before the corona virus, Esperi visited southern Sweden about once a year, now trips are not attractive. The situation of violence plays a role in this.
Living in Korpikylä Erik Oja has lived in Stockholm for 15 years. The region is no longer attractive.
– This is terrible. And this won’t calm down in an instant, it will take years before the situation changes, he estimates.
I worry about the future of my friends
Oja says that he is not yet afraid for the people he knows in southern Sweden, but he believes that there will be more to come. He also fears that the violence will spread to the north.
Kari Huttula instead believes that northern Sweden will still remain peaceful.
– I don’t think that, at least in my lifetime, such violence would spread here. Haaparanta is so remote, Huttula laughs.
Huttula lived in southern Sweden for 30 years before returning to the north. In the 60s, 70s and 80s there were no such unrest in the south either. There are still friends in southern Sweden, whose safety Huttula admits is a little worrying.
– Yes, sometimes it comes to mind. But luckily they don’t live downtown.
Huttula does not want to answer directly to the question about the reasons for the exploitation of violence.
– Yes, I know what causes these problems, but I’m not going to start saying it now, Huttula formulates.
Huttula says directly that he thinks the police are “totally stupid”.
– Bring the army, he throws.