Public prosecutor’s office and police are quick to respond in Peterboswijk: “Fines for drug users and bans for those who do not live there” (Anderlecht)

The municipality of Anderlecht has issued a ban on people who do not live in the Peterbos district. It is one of the measures that the local police and the Brussels public prosecutor’s office have announced to reduce crime. Anyone caught with drugs or a prohibited weapon risks a fine.

“At the beginning of March, a partnership was established between the municipality of Anderlecht, the federal and local police and other partners who are closely involved in the safety and quality of life in the Peterbos district of Anderlecht,” says Sarah Frederickx of the South zone (Anderlecht, Sint-Gillis). and Forest). “Since this neighborhood has recently come under strong pressure from drug violence and drug use, it was necessary to bring the various stakeholders around the table and see how each partner can contribute to increased safety in the area. neighbourhood.”

Place ban

For some time now, the police have been patrolling the neighborhood at different times of the day and organized actions are also being held, both in the field of drugs and road safety. There is also a ban on places for people who do not live in the neighborhood. “The police can deny all persons access to the neighborhood until May 16, 2024 if they do not live there,” says Frederickx. “This measure can be renewed each time for a period of two months.”

Identity checks

In addition, anyone who enters the neighborhood can be asked to identify themselves at any time and the police can subject anyone to a check. “All dangerous objects or objects that encourage drug use can be confiscated,” the police said. “There is also a ban on the consumption of alcohol in public spaces, not only in the Peterbos district but on the entire territory of the municipality of Anderlecht.”

Foreign Affairs service

The Immigration Office is also involved in the approach. “They provide places in the closed centers to remove drug criminals who are in our country illegally from the territory. This measure applies to everyone in the neighborhood,” says Frederickx. “The municipal decisions will be evaluated every two months and renewed if necessary, the other measures will remain in force as long as necessary,” it said.

Immediate amicable settlements

The Brussels public prosecutor’s office is committed to providing a “strict and appropriate judicial response to the infringements committed,” says spokesperson Stefan Vandevelde. “In the near future, the public prosecutor’s office will also work in this district with immediate amicable settlements. This means that adult persons found to be in possession of drugs or certain prohibited weapons can be offered an immediate amicable settlement. This means that they are imposed a fine that must be paid immediately or within a short period of time in order to close the file, as is often the case in road safety cases. The purpose of this procedure is the rapid handling of so-called ‘petty’ crime.”