Kortrijk (The brussels Morning Newspaper): Police introduce new vehicle for confidential community interactions and increased visibility to improve safety. Command post set up to address youth gang issues and maintain a welcoming environment.
Chief of Police Filip Devriendt talked about a new police vehicle that has two main purposes, improving safety and helping police connect with the community. This vehicle can quietly check people or have private talks, letting officers handle situations confidentially. Its design helps make these interactions smooth without bothering the public or drawing too much attention. The vehicle is also meant to make police more visible in the community. A stronger police presence can help prevent crime and reassure residents that local law enforcement is active and responsive. This way, the police can be seen more often while also interacting with people on the ground, creating a safer and friendlier environment.
What measures is Mayor Van Quickenborne taking to address youth gang violence and improve safety?
Mayor Vincent Van Quickenborne from Team Mayor has announced plans to improve safety because of recent problems with youth gangs. To tackle these issues, a command post will be set up in the area soon, especially when many young people are around. This is meant to make residents and visitors feel safer. The increased police presence is part of a bigger plan to deal with the violence from youth gangs and to show that such behavior won’t be tolerated. By placing the command post in key areas, local authorities aim to keep a closer watch on the situation, prevent any possible crimes, and reassure the community that they are committed to keeping everyone safe.
Devriendt recognizes that while the station is generally a safe and friendly place, there are serious concerns about some people acting inappropriately. This includes cases of extortion and violent thefts, which have made the environment less welcoming. He believes it’s important for young people to have a place to hang out, but certain disruptive and harmful behaviors cannot be accepted because they threaten the safety and friendly atmosphere of the station. To deal with these problems, the police and city officials have created a command post at the station to watch over and handle the bad behaviors. They will check in a few months to see how well this is working. The review will look at whether the command post has kept things safe and managed the situation. Based on what they find, they will decide whether to keep this plan or make changes to make things better.
