The Brussels regional public safety and prevention service safe.brussels has announced that the Regional Crisis Centre will be operational on New Year’s Eve. The Regional Crisis Centre coordinates security measures across the capital, where large crowds are expected to gather to welcome in the New Year.
The emergency, the local police services and the regional and municipal authorities in Brussels have drafted an integrated security plan to ensure the safety of both the public and frontline staff throughout the night. The authorities are urging Brussels residents and visitors to our capital city to enjoy the New Year’s celebrations while respecting safety instructions that are given.
The First Minister in the Brussels-Capital Region’s outgoing regional government Rudi Vervoort (Francophone socialist) told the press agency Belga that “Behind the urban buzz, hundreds of professionals are working quietly to keep everyone safe. My role is to ensure they can carry out their mission in the best possible conditions. Welcoming the New Year should be done in a spirit of shared responsibility.”
Safe.brussels’ Director General Sophie Lavaux describes New Year’s Eve as “a major event for large cities like Brussels”. She calls on the public to look out for eachother and to respect the staff of the services that will be deployed on the ground.
The Chief Commissioner of the Brussels-Capital/Elsene Local Police Service Michel Goovaerts calls for mutual respect between revelers, residents and the emergency services.
Fireworks banned
With the exception of organised displays, fireworks are banned across the Brussels-Capital Region. Elsewhere in Belgium, the issue of fireworks remains hotly contested. The Flemish Minister responsible for animal welfare Ben Weyts (nationalist) has renewed his call for a nationwide ban on the use of fireworks by private individuals. He argues for a general ban on fireworks, with exceptions made only when municipalities explicitly authorise displays at a specific location and time.
Mr Weyts notes that a ban that was introduced in Flanders in 2019 was annulled by Belgium’s Constitutional Court. Since then he has actively encouraged municipal authorities to introduce local bans of the use of fireworks. Mr Weyts says that 70% of cities and municipalities in Belgium have local firework bans in place. However, “There are still too many places where fireworks can be set off indiscriminately and where the rules are unclear.” The Flemish nationalist politician argues that a uniform federal approach would provide clarity and prevent accidents and harm to animals.