The Cureghem district of Anderlecht, a densely populated and historically industrial neighborhood near Brussels Midi station, has once again found itself in the spotlight following a surge of drug-related shootings, public nuisance, and resident frustration.
After a series of February incidents – including two gunmen brandishing Kalashnikovs in a metro station – locals penned an open letter accusing the authorities of “deliberate abandonment.”
Anderlecht Mayor Fabrice Cumps (PS) has rejected the claim that his administration has forsaken the area. Speaking to The Brussels Times, he acknowledged the scale of the challenges but insisted that the municipality is taking action within the limits of its resources.
“It is worth remembering that the Cureghem neighborhood, like many others in the heart of the Brussels-Capital Region, faces a host of challenges,” said Cumps. “Our resources are limited, but we are not abandoning anyone.”
Residents Decry Years of Neglect
The open letter from Cureghem residents described a situation they believe has worsened over years: noise disturbances, littering, illegal dumping, visible drug use, and a wave of violent incidents. According to locals, these conditions have fueled a pervasive sense of insecurity, especially for families and older residents.
The spark for the latest outcry was a series of violent events, including two shooting incidents in early February and security footage showing armed young men moving freely in the neighborhood.
These incidents prompted high-level meetings with Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin and Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden, but residents argue that tangible improvements remain elusive.
“We no longer feel safe,” the letter stated. “Authorities have allowed our streets to become a playground for dealers, criminals, and neglect.”
A Complex Urban Struggle
Mayor Cumps painted a broader picture of Cureghem’s difficulties, pointing to the district’s high-density housing, aging building stock, and the scarcity of green spaces.
Many properties are in substandard condition, often managed by absentee landlords, and turnover among the local population remains high.
Environmental and social challenges compound the security issues. Illegal dumping is frequent, public cleanliness is a persistent concern, and the district is home to a diverse population, including refugees from war-torn countries.
In addition, its proximity to Brussels Midi station makes it a prime territory for drug traffickers.
“Criminal organizations constantly struggle for control over lucrative drug-dealing spots,” Cumps explained. “This makes it very difficult for residents to carry out positive projects for their neighborhood.”
Police and Municipal Action Intensifies
To combat these challenges, the Anderlecht municipality and the Midi police zone – which also covers Saint-Gilles and Forest – have ramped up targeted operations in Cureghem. Cumps highlighted the creation of a 30-officer local team dedicated to nuisance and drug-related issues.
“Except in emergencies, these officers are exempt from responding to emergency calls,” he said. “They can focus on contacting the public, gathering evidence, checking problem locations, and confiscating illegally offered goods.”
The approach is complemented by coordinated raids and administrative actions. In recent months, ten problem establishments in Cureghem were shuttered, and a major police operation involving over 110 officers took place in Porte d’Anderlecht.
The operations are part of a broader regional anti-drug strategy, with seizures, fines, and judicial files accumulating steadily. Cumps coordinates closely with Brussels Public Prosecutor Julien Moinil to ensure that administrative police actions feed directly into judicial proceedings.
Fighting Dirt as Well as Crime
While security dominates headlines, cleanliness is one of the residents’ most visible grievances. Many accuse authorities of failing to address littering, missed collection days, and illegal dumping that blight the streets.
Cumps insisted that the municipality is not blind to these concerns. Street cleaning teams have been reinforced, Cureghem is designated a priority zone, and collaborations with Brussels Cleanliness – the regional agency responsible for major roads – have intensified.
Mini-recycling parks and a new facility at Quai Demets have been opened to give residents alternatives to illegal dumping. Still, Cumps admitted that the effort requires more staff and better resources.
“We urgently need more personnel at Brussels Cleanliness to maintain streets most affected by litter,” he said, adding that curbside waste collection might require “innovative alternatives” such as deposit systems for cans.
Housing and Community Initiatives
Cureghem’s aging housing stock remains a core issue. Many buildings are over a century old and ill-maintained. The municipality is pushing property owners to renovate and improve living conditions through regular meetings and inspections.
“It is with great determination that our staff are involved in these very concrete cases,” Cumps said. “Cureghem buildings are older than elsewhere in Anderlecht, and our goal is to provide optimal living conditions for occupants.”
Looking ahead, the municipality plans to strengthen its community presence. A new community center is scheduled to open on Chaussée de Mons this autumn, which Cumps says will symbolize “our desire to consider Cureghem as a neighborhood with enormous potential.”
Resource Gaps and Regional Challenges
Despite these initiatives, the mayor is candid about the scale of the task and the strain on municipal capacity. Funding and personnel remain the biggest hurdles.
“We are awaiting refinancing via the general municipal grant,” he said. “Without additional resources, maintaining a constant presence in Cureghem will remain a major challenge.”
The broader regional debate about policing in Brussels adds another layer of uncertainty. The federal government is proposing to merge the city’s six police zones into one. Cumps is skeptical:
“I am not reassured at all,” he said. “Community policing must rely on a much larger number of personnel, and merging zones does not solve the human resource problem.”
“Cureghem is Not Abandoned”
As he faces resident anger and mounting media scrutiny, Cumps continues to reject the narrative of deliberate neglect. He emphasized the importance of maintaining public services, coordinating with multiple agencies, and making visible efforts to improve both safety and quality of life.
“Clearly, the Cureghem neighborhood is not being abandoned,” he said. “On the contrary, our challenge is to maintain as much of a public presence as possible to address the realities on the ground.”
For now, residents remain vigilant, balancing hope for meaningful change with the daily realities of a neighborhood caught between insecurity, urban decay, and slow-moving municipal machinery.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
