2023-12-27 13:46:00
This is the incident that spoils the spirit of the end-of-year holidays and undermines the atmosphere of the Christmas village: last week, a police patrol showed up in a well-known champagne bar in the rue de Dampremy to impose “cut the music”. Immediately and without concession. It was not the middle of the night, it was 7:30 p.m., and on the two nearby squares which house the Christmas village chalets (Place Verte and de la Digue), sound systems were spitting out their decibels with impunity.
Two weights, two measures ? This is what the operators and customers of this champagne bar felt: “The party is authorized 100 m away, but prohibited here. The traders who bring Charleroi to life every day of the year therefore do not have the same rights as those who invite themselves there during the end-of-year celebrations. year and pay a space to a private organizer.” We understand their anger. But there is one detail that ignited the fire on social networks, like a breeze blowing over the smoldering ashes of a home: this comment from the intervention police officers. “We carry out orders from above”.
Hear – we suppose? – of the mayor or a member of his executive. However, the spokesperson for the municipal college wants to wring the duck’s neck. “It is not at the request of the political authority that the police enforce public order, but because a general regulation requires it and it must be applied.”
In this case, the broadcasting of music in the collective space requires authorization from the college. “A request must be submitted to the events unit and receive approval from the mayor and aldermen.” This is the procedure and it is the rule, this regulation was examined in the municipal council and adopted by a majority. For the champagne bar on rue de Dampremy, there was indeed authorization to install a terrace.
But not to broadcast music, we are assured, even if operators have been broadcasting it for years without it bothering anyone.
Of course, police officers always have the choice of tact or zeal. They can act gently, suggest lowering the sound so as not to cause disturbance. Or forcefully interrupt the music, which was the case here. This incident has the merit of reminding us how much excess harms everything. He should also invite the police to provide accurate and undistorted information. Because enforcing the provisions of the law is not the work of higher orders.
Not at all, it’s because there has been a complaint and the police are there to put an end to the disturbances or so-called disturbances. To imagine that there is political exploitation behind Pandora’s little phrase is perhaps outrageous. Let’s put it down to clumsiness or thoughtlessness.
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