Aalst (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Mayoral authority Christoph D’Haese (N-VA) of Aalst has ordered the closure of both a café and a night shop before the upcoming Sunday carnival festivities.
The N-VA mayor of Aalst, Christoph D’Haese, ordered a temporary shutdown of a café as well as a night shop because of drug problems before the Carnival event. The establishments received their closure order when police conducted investigations which established drug-related activities inside both sites. The annual Aalst Carnival, extending through three days from Sunday, presents worries about public security during this major event in the city.
What is the history behind Aalst carnival and recent safety measures?
The Aalst Carnival has continued to be a UNESCO-recognized cultural tradition since 2010 while serving as one of Belgium’s leading yearly tourist attractions throughout three days of annual events. Aalst’s carnival remained prominent because of its satirical parades, vibrant costumes, and traditional “Voil Jeanet” dolls, which have attracted multitudes of city visitors over the years.
Over the last few years, the event has encountered problems in the areas of public order and safety. The authorities have concentrated their efforts on drug control and safety measures to deliver security during festival weekends. This year’s carnival sees a short-term stoppage of both the café and night shop manager as part of continuous risk reduction efforts.
Policing strategies and venue inspection protocols were used during previous editions of the carnival to secure public protection along with amplified police staff deployment.
