Brussels, February 15, 2024 – Local authorities and police zones in Brussels are facing an uphill battle against escalating drug-related violence, with calls for coordinated international action to tackle the root causes of the problem.
Federal Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt, in a recent interview with VRT, highlighted the international nature of the criminal organizations behind the violence.
He pointed out the presence of Albanian, Moroccan, and Scandinavian gangs operating in Brussels, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive criminal analysis of Europe to effectively combat these transnational networks.
“We need to have sufficient information to tackle this and must take this position at the European level,” Minister Van Tigchelt stated. He called for cooperation during Belgium’s Presidency of the Council of the EU to address the issue.
Minister of Interior Affairs Annelies Verlinden echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of fighting organized crime “on all fronts, at all levels and with all partners.” She stressed the need for local administrations to play their part in combating the problem.
However, local authorities are grappling with resource shortages, with Brussels Midi police chief Jurgen De Landsheer highlighting a 20% staff shortage in his zone alone.
This shortage hampers efforts to address the immediate challenges posed by drug-related violence.
In response to these challenges, Minister Verlinden emphasized ongoing efforts to implement a coordinated and integrated approach to combating organized crime.
She pointed to the Federal Police’s annual report, which underscores the complex nature of the drug problem and the need for intensified efforts to address it.
The establishment of the Organised Crime Observatory and the Fugitive Active Search Team (FAST) reflects the government’s commitment to disrupting criminal networks and apprehending suspects.
Additionally, significant investments have been made in police services, including the creation of the Port Security Corps in Antwerp to combat drug trafficking.
Despite these efforts, the scale of the challenge remains daunting. Justice Minister Van Tigchelt acknowledged that reducing crime and violence would require effectively dismantling the criminal revenue model, which necessitates sustained international cooperation.
“This is not just a Brussels or Antwerp problem. This is not even a national or European problem. It is a global problem,” Minister Van Tigchelt emphasized.
In light of recent incidents in neighborhoods like Saint-Gilles and Anderlecht, there have been renewed calls for urgent action at both the federal and regional levels.
The Ecolo-Groen group in the Federal Parliament has urged for a special meeting of the Home Affairs Committee to discuss immediate measures to address the violence.
As Brussels grapples with the fallout from drug-related violence, the need for a comprehensive and coordinated response has never been more urgent.
With criminal organizations operating across borders, effective solutions must involve international cooperation and concerted efforts at all levels of government.
In the face of this daunting challenge, Belgian authorities remain committed to tackling organized crime and safeguarding the safety and well-being of their citizens.
However, it is clear that addressing the root causes of drug-related violence will require sustained and collaborative action on a global scale.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
