The De Wever government’s plans include the merger of the six police zones in the capital, the implementation of the law in hospitals and greater security in rail stations. Here are some excerpts from the 5-party accord culled from the 200-page document by Brussels media outlet Bruzz.
‘In recent years, it has once again become clear that security policy in Brussels is too fragmented. This means that criminal activities are not dealt with in the most efficient ways. There is a clear need for more unity of vision and leadership when it comes to police and security policy in the capital. Given the territorial interconnectedness of the Brussels Capital Region in terms of urbanisation and safety, there is a need for an unambiguous security policy. We are therefore merging the 6 Brussels police zones into 1 zone’ the government accord reads.
Dutch and French in hospitals
‘Today, it is not uncommon for Dutch-speakers in the capital to experience difficulties getting care in their mother tongue, even though it is the main national language spoken by the majority in this country. In a bilingual region, this is unacceptable. The government will ensure compliance with the legislation on the use of languages so that patients in Brussels hospitals covered by the legislation can be treated in their native language thanks to bilingual services.’
South Station safety
‘We are working on a national action plan for station security. We are taking measures to strengthen security in and around our stations, especially in the Brussels South station, the gateway to the capital of Europe and the international institutions (in Brussels). We are strengthening the police presence in the stations. We are also increasing vigilance in the immediate vicinity of stations. (...) For its part, rail company NMBS will commit to taking preventive measures, in the design and cleanliness of public spaces, carrying out ticket checks inside stations, evaluating the possible installation of access barriers in larger stations and the possible expansion of the camera network.’
Zero tolerance for drugs in stations
‘We will implement policies that lead to an immediate response against and zero tolerance of drugs in and around stations, e.g. in Brussels and in the stations of other main cities in the country.’
Federal Canal Plan
‘We will roll out a strengthened federal canal plan in and around Brussels, in line with the plan set up in 2015 following the Paris attacks and the terrorist threat in Belgium. The increase in drug-related violence in the capital and the airport area, as well as the structural capacity problems experienced by local security services, require a rapid reintroduction of support to actively fight organised crime and radicalisation. This new plan will include the strengthening of the relevant local police zones, in order to carry out close monitoring of radicalised individuals and take vigorous action against arms and human trafficking, drug trafficking, the illegal economy, etc.’