Thierry Geerts, the CEO of Brussels Enterprises Commerce and Industry (BECI), has expressed deep concern over the escalating security situation in the Belgian capital, particularly in the aftermath of recent drug-related shootings.
Geerts, whose organization represents over 35,000 businesses in Brussels, spoke to The Brussels Times about the mounting challenges businesses face due to increasing perceptions of insecurity.
Earlier this month, Brussels was shaken by a spate of violent incidents, including four drug-related shootings within a week.
One such incident, caught on surveillance cameras, showed two individuals carrying Kalashnikovs at the Clémenceau metro station in Anderlecht during rush hour, a frightening display of growing violence.
The aftermath of these events has left a child’s bedroom wall pierced by a bullet, further amplifying fears among residents and business owners alike.
Geerts stressed that although Brussels remains relatively safe compared to other major cities, the situation is deteriorating.
“Brussels used to be a very safe city, but in the last few years, we see it going in the wrong direction. You have to react fast,” he stated. For BECI, safety and cleanliness have become top priorities, as the rise in violence directly impacts businesses in the region.
The CEO noted that while Brussels is often viewed as an international hub, international media coverage of these violent incidents has only heightened fears, contributing to an altered perception of the city’s safety.
“The perception is that we have a situation that is completely out of control, but that is not the case. Still, more has to be done,” he said.
He pointed out that drug trafficking, primarily originating from the Port of Antwerp, plays a significant role in the city’s safety problems, exacerbated by the influx of refugees and a lack of adequate housing solutions.
The impact on businesses has been tangible, with many struggling to attract customers and retain staff. The rise in crime, particularly around train stations like Brussels Midi, has made commuting and entering the city feel unsafe for many.
Retail businesses in the Louise area, for example, have reported frequent complaints about security, especially as homeless people sleep in front of stores, creating an uncomfortable and unsafe environment for both workers and customers.
Geerts highlighted that these concerns are being voiced with increasing urgency. “We’ve had a tsunami of requests and complaints.
Since the end of 2024 and the start of 2025, it’s been safety, safety, safety,” he said. Business owners are worried not only about physical harm but about the broader implications of a deteriorating reputation for Brussels.
To address these issues, Geerts has called on all levels of government to prioritize safety. “No business thrives in an unsafe environment. Before you take any other measures to stimulate the economy, you have to make sure that people feel safe,” he emphasized.
Despite political fragmentation in Brussels, with no regional government in place for several months, Geerts urged politicians to focus on collaboration, ensuring that all stakeholders, including local governments and national institutions, take responsibility for improving safety.
Responding to recent remarks by Brussels Minister-President Rudi Vervoort, who suggested residents would have to “just live with” a certain level of drug-related violence, Geerts disagreed.
“It is not acceptable that someone in charge would give the message that drug violence is okay because it happens in a big city,” he asserted.
He called for a balanced approach that addresses both immediate and long-term security challenges, stressing that accepting the decline in safety would only lead to further trouble.
As Brussels grapples with the complex interplay of drug violence, homelessness, and political gridlock, Geerts’ call for swift and comprehensive action has gained increasing support from the business community, which views safety as a crucial foundation for the city’s future prosperity.
