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🇧🇪 Belgium /Crime & Justice

Belgian Police Visit Summer Camps, Focus on Heat and Campfire Safety

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Local police in Oudsbergen, Belgium, are visiting all summer camps to establish contact and explain local regulations.
  • This year, particular attention is being paid to the risks associated with high temperatures and campfires.
  • The municipality anticipates nearly 10,000 campers across almost 20 campsites this summer.

Local police officers in Oudsbergen, Belgium, are proactively visiting every summer camp at the start of each group's stay. This initiative aims to introduce themselves, clarify local rules, and ensure they are approachable for any concerns campers might have.

If it becomes Code Orange due to the heat, then we have a small problem. Then there can be no campfire.

— Jurgen WoutersExplaining campfire regulations during hot weather.

This summer, the police are placing extra emphasis on two key areas: the risks posed by high temperatures and the regulations surrounding campfires. With nearly 20 campsites expected to host close to 10,000 campers, maintaining order and safety is a priority. Police officer Jurgen Wouters explained to one group that campfires are prohibited during Code Orange weather conditions, warning of potential issues if the heat intensifies.

Common questions from campers revolve around when campfires are permitted and where children can swim. Each campsite displays guidelines and provides QR codes with contact information for easy access. The presence of numerous campers, sometimes with added music, can occasionally lead to tensions with local residents. Mayor Ilse Wevers noted that the municipality works to ensure a balanced coexistence, sometimes requiring direct intervention to clarify expectations.

The playing children can be heard for 2 months, sometimes with some extra music.

— Ilse WeversAcknowledging potential noise concerns from campers affecting local residents.

Given the current heatwave, the municipality is actively raising awareness among camp groups about safe practices. This includes ensuring adequate cooling facilities, sufficient water supply, and careful planning of activities based on the time of day. While a tailored cooling plan for each group is deemed impractical, an evacuation plan is in place for emergencies like fires. Camp leaders, like Yorben Vermeire of KSA Zeveneken, have welcomed the police visits, finding them informative and helpful for understanding the local environment and regulations.

I think it's good to know how things are in the area. That could happen at other campsites too.

— Yorben VermeireExpressing a positive view of the police's proactive visits to summer camps.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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