Brussels – Belgium’s Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting local authorities in their battle against crime, particularly offences classified as “destabilising crime.”
Speaking at a workshop hosted by the Directorate for Integrity Evaluation for Public Authorities (DEIPP) on Friday, Quintin emphasised the importance of administrative measures in supplementing police and judicial efforts.
The workshop, held to evaluate a law outlined in the government agreement, focused on granting additional powers to mayors to combat organised crime.
The concept of “destabilising crime”—defined by the Interior Ministry as illegal practices concealed by economic activities that undermine the rule of law—has become a growing concern for municipalities across Belgium.
Strengthening Local Responses
Quintin highlighted the need for municipalities to have robust administrative tools at their disposal to address these complex criminal networks.
“Administrative measures complement the work of the police, inspection services, and the justice system,” he stated.
“We therefore want to give local authorities, who know the specific realities of each municipality better than anyone, the tools and confidence they need to effectively combat organised crime. This will better protect the social, economic, and political fabric of our towns and villages.”
Belgium has seen a rise in crimes that operate under the guise of legal businesses, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies alone to tackle them effectively.
The proposed measures would empower mayors with additional authority to intervene administratively, such as revoking business permits or imposing restrictions on enterprises suspected of criminal ties.
Evaluating the Legislative Framework
The DEIPP’s role in this initiative is to provide an expert evaluation of the law before the end of the year.
This assessment will determine whether the additional powers granted to mayors align with legal frameworks and governance principles while ensuring they do not overreach or conflict with existing judicial processes.
Experts at the workshop examined case studies where administrative intervention had successfully disrupted criminal enterprises at the local level. They also discussed potential risks, including ensuring that such powers are exercised fairly and transparently.
Municipal leaders attending the workshop expressed both optimism and caution regarding the proposed law. While many welcomed additional authority to combat crime in their jurisdictions, concerns were raised over the potential for administrative decisions to be challenged in court, delaying necessary action against criminal entities.
Broader Implications for Crime Prevention
The Belgian government’s initiative aligns with broader European efforts to strengthen local governance in crime prevention. Several EU nations have adopted similar approaches, granting municipal authorities more influence in addressing crimes that impact their communities.
As the DEIPP prepares its formal opinion on the law, stakeholders across law enforcement, governance, and civil society will continue to engage in discussions on how to implement these measures effectively.
The findings from this workshop will play a critical role in shaping Belgium’s strategy to tackle organised crime at the municipal level.
With crime evolving in complexity, the Belgian government’s push to bolster administrative tools for local authorities signals a shift towards a more comprehensive, multi-layered approach to law enforcement. The final decision on the law’s implementation is expected before the year’s end.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
