Schaerbeek (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Police in Schaerbeek have arrested a suspect caught with a saw after three trees were felled and seven others damaged in a string of local vandalism incidents.
A suspect who had a saw in his hand while out and about in the neighborhood on Monday night was taken into custody by the police.
Residents of Schaarbeek’s Helmetwijk discovered a fallen tree on Landbouwstraat last Friday. Two additional trees had damage and sawdust marks.
Two more trees were cut down on Tuesday in Belgium, on Helmetplein and Richard Vandeveldestraat. Five trees there were also harmed.
“We have no idea why someone would do something like this. We first thought it had to do with parking spaces, but the damaged trees in Landbouwstraat are on the sidewalk. Cutting them down would not create any additional parking spaces,”
Says Alderman for Green Spaces Deborah Lorenzino (Défi).
For now, the motives of the perpetrator or perpetrators remain a mystery, but the police did arrest a suspect on Monday night.
“I congratulate the zone for the rapid intervention in a case that stirs up a lot of emotions, in the middle of a heat wave in which greening is already proving its worth,”
Said the mayor.
“We have made an administrative arrest because there was a reasonable suspicion that he had made preparations to cause even more damage,”
Says police spokeswoman Audrey Dereymaeker. For example, the suspect had a saw with him.
“We cannot yet say whether there is a connection between the felled trees in Landbouwstraat and at Helmetplein.”
Already, Alderman Lorenzino has plans to repair the damaged and fallen trees. This year, November, is the planned date.
What measures are local authorities taking to prevent future tree vandalism?
To make trees more difficult to harm or climb, install durable tree guards, root guards, and staking techniques (such double or triple stakes with protective coatings). In order to protect trees during development or construction, protective fencing is also utilized.
urging locals to report suspicious activity and show pride in their trees. In order to promote a sense of shared responsibility, some councils designate “patrons” or community watchers to assist in keeping an eye on parks and street trees.
When vandalism happens, people and local committees are notified, and information is disseminated via media and community newsletters to increase awareness and discourage criminals. The significance of replacement trees is explained and vigilance is encouraged by signage placed close by.
collecting evidence, conducting in-depth investigations into incidents, and, if practical, punishing criminals. More severe fines have been proposed or implemented in some areas.
