Anderlecht (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Lemmensplein in Anderlecht is quiet this winter. A young man witnessed a stabbing on Christmas Eve, raising safety concerns. Residents express worries about crime, preferring to stay indoors at night.
Lemmensplein appears quiet this winter morning on 31st December, with the playground looking worn and underused. A few young people in hoodies are gathered in the area. The local baker remarks that there are no issues in the neighborhood, while a nearby shopkeeper notes that it can become unsafe at night, leading him to close his store early on December 31. A 64-year-old man who has lived in Anderlecht for some time mentions that he prefers to stay indoors after 8 p.m., especially on New Year’s Eve.
How are Anderlecht residents coping with rising crime and safety concerns?
In Anderlecht, a young man who has lived there for a year witnessed a stabbing on Christmas Eve. He described the scene as frightening, which made him call the police. Due to safety concerns, he and his friends have changed their New Year’s Eve plans. Instead of staying home, they will eat in Brussels and go to a café, making sure to leave before dark and park their car indoors to keep it safe.
A young father picking up his son said, “Oh, things happen here sometimes.” He lives in Oudergem, a part of Brussels, and thinks the justice system should be serious on young people who break the law. A woman who has lived in Anderlecht for ten years feels things are getting worse, with more crime and dirty streets. She wants to move somewhere quieter outside the city. While she will celebrate New Year’s in Anderlecht, she plans to stay inside the next day because she thinks it’s too dangerous outside.
