Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Brussels-Midi station faces rising drug crimes. Home Affairs Minister Annelies Verlinden plans more police presence, but coordination issues and local criticism linger, particularly from Mayor Jean Spinette.
It has been said that drug crimes at Brussels-Midi station have become a more important issue since Plan Midi was announced last September. Home Affairs Minister Annelies Verlinden promised to deal with crime by adding more police and setting up a police station at the station, along with other security measures. A spokesperson from Verlinden’s office mentioned that “their response to the plan was not very strong.” They said, “It was difficult to coordinate all the services and partners.” Saint-Gilles Mayor Jean Spinette (PS) responded to the statement, saying, “Everyone has been working together for a year, despite what was said. When I read the spokesperson’s comment, I was shocked.”
What is the status of the Brussels-Midi police zone?
Spinette pointed out that the police, social services, and other government agencies in the area have been collaborating closely. In terms of security, the police in the Midi Zone work together with railway police and have made 420 arrests since the Plan Midi was introduced.
They’re also making sure the train station stays clean with the help of Bruxelles-Proprete, the city’s cleaning service. Social support is given to drug users in and around the station. The mayor mentioned, “Our street social workers are in touch with homeless people daily”.
Saint-Gilles, Anderlecht, and Forest are the three areas forming the Midi Police Zone, one of Brussels’ six police districts. Discussions continue at the federal government level, there is a suggestion to combine all six zones into a single police force, a plan strongly opposed by the Socialist Party. Those who support the merger think it will make people work together better and reduce crime—flemish parties back it, with Ecolo as the only French-speaking supporter in pre-elections. CD&V, French-speaking centrists, show flexibility in government talks.
