2023-05-26 11:35:00
By 2030, if all goes well, the surroundings of the Gare du Midi will be subject to a facelift to make way for real estate projects that will allow more social control. But while waiting for this project to finally materialize, the situation is getting bogged down in this district and local residents and shopkeepers are at their wit’s end.
“It is clear that there is an upsurge in violence in this neighborhood”
“It is clear that there is an upsurge in violence in this neighborhood linked to the growing presence of homeless people and the consumption of narcotics which is on the rise”, explains the mayor of Anderlecht Fabrice Cumps (PS). “Social actors wrote to us this Thursday to ask for additional resources because they are struggling to cope with the increase in requests for care and exacerbated violence. In particular, we asked the Region to provide an additional envelope for Samusocial in order to better support the beneficiaries.”
The hell experienced by a French couple living in the center of Brussels for five months: “A Walking Dead around the Gare du Midi”
In an attempt to calm the situation, the hours of the local police have been extended. They are now on the ground until midnight in order to prevent any problematic situation, with the intervention police who remain vigilant in the event of an overflow. “Since January 1, we have arrested around 80 dealers and we have seized 28 kg of drugs, but it is clear that it is not enough and that additional resources are needed.”, specifies Fabrice Cumps.
According to him, he is “urgent” that the federal government release funds to assign more police officers to this area. “This is an international station with a Thalys and therefore security needs to be improved. If we do it for Brussels National Airport, why would it not be possible for the Gare du Midi side?he concludes.
Three grenade throws recorded in 2023
Finally, it should be noted that this year, 18 incidents of possession of weapons were recorded in the district, including three grenade throws, compared to 13 incidents in 2021 and 22 in 2022, according to a response provided by the commander of the Midi zone to a question from group leader MR Gaëtan Van Goidsenhoven.
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