Sint-Truiden (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Official policy targets public nuisance by taking away benches in order to stop gatherings of youths along with homeless people. The previous Sint-Truiden mayor ordered the removal of the benches from the station district.
The municipal government of Sint-Truiden brought back station benches after their previous removal from the station area. The city removed its benches as a response to problems created by residential and homeless youths standing in public areas. The current mayor, Ludwig Vandenhove (Vooruit), restored the benches in the station area to improve social connection and establish a warmer atmosphere for visitors. Vandenhove stressed the need to preserve the station area as a gathering space for people to meet and rest, yet he maintained a focus on safety and honouring respect.
From today, residents and visitors of Sint-Truiden can relax on a bench in the station area.
“The benches were put back to make the station area more attractive and inviting,”
Says Mayor Ludwig Vandenhove.
“We think it is important that the station area remains a place for meeting and resting. This must, of course, be done in a safe and respectful way.”
Mayor Vandenhove also wants to continue to combat nuisance and vandalism, but he just doesn’t believe that removing benches is the right way.
“If there is a feeling of insecurity or a real safety problem, then that needs to be addressed. Removing benches is not a solution. Benches actually bring people together in the fight against a subjective feeling of insecurity.”
What is the background behind this decision?
Vandalism and public nuisance issues have been longstanding problems in the Sint-Truiden station area, which officials have addressed through multiple measures over the past years. Safety improvements and less loitering became possible through the ban on placing benches at the station site.
The order to remove benches caused public discussions about maintaining security versus open public spaces. Implementing benches supports Vandenhove’s goal to boost community interaction by combining safety enhancement through his ‘nuisance pool’ program.
