DistantNews
Support us
🇧🇪 Belgium /Crime & Justice

Brussels Mayors Demand Federal Action Plan Against Drug War

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • The mayors of Sint-Gillis, Anderlecht, and Vorst met with Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden to demand federal action against drug-related violence.
  • The meeting followed a recent shooting at a police station, which the minister attributed to disruptions in drug trafficking operations.
  • Mayors are requesting additional federal police support, while the minister emphasized the need for a national emergency response and evaluation of existing resources.

Mayors from three Brussels municipalities are demanding a federal action plan to combat escalating drug violence, following a recent shooting at a police station in the Zenne area. Sint-Gillis Mayor Jean Spinette, Anderlecht Mayor Fabrice Cumps, and Vorst Mayor Evert Deulhouwer met with Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden and Police Zone Zuid chief Jurgen De Landsheer to express their concerns.

The objective of this meeting was to express support for the Police Zone Zuid, especially after the shooting at the police station a few days ago.

— Annelies VerlindenExplaining the purpose of the meeting with the mayors.

Minister Verlinden stated that the recent incidents are a direct consequence of efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks. "We are disturbing the drug dealers in their trade," she explained, emphasizing that this disruption is leading to increased violence. The mayors are pushing for more resources, specifically requesting the deployment of federal agents to bolster local police forces in their respective communes.

We are disturbing the drug dealers in their trade.

— Annelies VerlindenAttributing the recent violence to efforts against drug trafficking.

Verlinden acknowledged the possibility of federal reinforcement but stressed that the responsibility for managing security ultimately lies with the mayors. She indicated that a review of current reinforcements and strategies is underway. "We must now see what reinforcements are needed, from the federal police, but also from the other Brussels police zones," she said, adding that "a lot of extra resources have already been added. We must now evaluate what has worked and what has not."

That is a possibility, but it is the responsibility of the mayor.

— Annelies VerlindenResponding to the request for federal agents.

The mayors unanimously view the drug problem as a "national issue" requiring a coordinated response. However, Mayor Spinette expressed uncertainty about immediate additional funding, stating, "No promises have been made yet." He hopes their concerns have been heard but remains cautious, awaiting concrete actions and commitments from the federal government to address the escalating drug war in Brussels.

We must now see what reinforcements are needed, from the federal police, but also from the other Brussels police zones.

— Annelies VerlindenDiscussing potential security reinforcements.
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.

More Stories

From Our Blog