Vlaams Belang Proposes Volunteer 'Eyes and Ears' for Neerpelt School and Station

The political party Vlaams Belang in Pelt has put forward a proposal to utilize volunteers as additional 'eyes and ears' in the vicinity of schools and the Neerpelt train station. This initiative is envisioned as a pilot project.

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It concerns threats, girls being approached and threatened, but also drug dealing and fights.

According to Wendy Tielemans of Vlaams Belang, the proposal stems from recent incidents and reports from parents and young people. These concerns include threats against girls, drug dealing, and fights. Tielemans noted an escalation, with some youths now carrying knives.

Tielemans mentioned a meeting in June between students, the school police officer, and the mayor, where measures were promised but not communicated to the party or the students. While Pelt has a school police officer who is doing good work, Tielemans believes their presence is not widely known. Vlaams Belang's proposal aims to supplement existing efforts.

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But there is an added factor, there are now also young people who carry a knife.

The volunteers would not intervene directly but would report suspicious or unsafe situations to the police. Vlaams Belang believes this increased surveillance could lead to quicker interventions, acting as a deterrent. The local majority in Pelt has stated they will comment on the proposal after the municipal council meeting.

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Our proposal is clear: deploy volunteers as extra eyes and ears in the school environment and the station area. They can signal suspicious or unsafe situations to the police, and thus support the police. It is certainly not the intention for the volunteers to intervene themselves.