The well-known house of filthy morals in Bessemerstraat in Lanaken – where about twenty prostitutes work – has been a thorn in the side of local residents and the municipality for some time. There have been several recent incidents: a car fire, multiple explosions in a container, vandalism and punctured tires. All this was reason enough for the neighborhood to sound the alarm.
“We filed a complaint and started a petition that was signed by almost the entire street. These types of situations, which closely resemble settlements, pose an acute threat to the people in the area,” local residents said.
Safety
Mayor Marino Keulen (Open VLD) has had enough. “We had a hearing with the operator on Monday. I have then made the decision to close the building for a period of six weeks, until Monday, May 6 at 6 p.m.
According to the mayor, this closure is a necessary step. “Public safety is seriously compromised, with three arsons in a short period of time and damage to vehicles. And that in the middle of a residential area. The risk of escalation and recurrence is increasing. We do not leave local residents to their fate. We hope to restore peace in this way. The nuisance had to be curbed. Our technical department will close the building and do the necessary to make the building inaccessible. With the closure we indicate that we do not allow such disturbing activities in our municipality, and it is also a strong signal to our residents that we fully support them.”
Meanwhile, the public prosecutor’s office is also investigating human trafficking and money laundering.
Tags: Mayor Marino Keulen ordered Monday closure house fornication Bessemerstraat Lanaken Lanaken
.){kind=link}