Minister for the Interior Bernard Quintin (Francophone liberal MR) has responded to the spate of recent shooting is the capital. He believes the violence is a targeted response from the drug underworld. “The police are disrupting their operations, but we must not allow ourselves to be intimidated,” he said.
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Shootings in Brussels: interior minister Quintin says everybody needs to step up to the plate
Colin Clapson
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Last night, unidentified individuals fired an automatic weapon at the junction of Gustave Defnetstraat and Montenegrostraat. No one was injured and the perpetrator fled the scene.
After a relatively quiet summer, gun violence in the capital is flaring up again with a vengeance. Brussels has seen no fewer than six shooting incidents in recent days.
Jurgen De Landsheer, head of the Brussels South police zone, sees the incidents as a direct response to the intensified fight against drugs. Belgian interior minister Bernard Quintin agrees. “Drug criminals are issuing threats because we are disrupting their operations,” says the minister.
“They are warning us, but the police must not back down. We must continue to wage this fight with determination. It will certainly be a long-term struggle.”
Discussion on resources and manpower
The bullet holes in the Anderlecht police station that recently came under attack are proof that the threat to officers is increasing. “Officers know their job is dangerous,” says Quintin. “But they must, of course, be given the appropriate resources and be protected.”
The minister emphasises that he is doing everything in his power to make this possible. “I have already deployed 77 additional officers and am looking into whether that number can be increased further. You must realise, however, that police officers need specific experience in this area. We cannot simply send the first person who comes along.”
Meanwhile, Mayor Spinette of Sint Gillis is demanding that the Brussels region is able to count on exactly the same level of support and funding as the police in Antwerp. “Even though I have just reinforced the Federal Judicial Police in Brussels more than in Antwerp!” Quintin retorted to that criticism.
Shared responsibility
Minister Quintin emphasises the importance of better cooperation. He points to shared responsibility. “I am providing extra personnel and resources, but I do not decide how they are deployed on the ground.”
As an example, he cites his investment of 1 million euros in new CCTV cameras around Brussels-South. “If it then takes two years to install those cameras because it isn’t prioritised locally, there’s nothing I can do.”
Police chief De Landsheer had previously emphasised the fact that the police cannot win this war on drugs on their own. Quintin agrees and advocates a broad, multi-faceted approach. “I am the Minister for Public Order and am trying to secure funding, but drugs are just as much a public health issue. So, let’s all sit down together and discuss this,” he concludes.
Quintin is visiting police headquarters in Anderlecht today, one of the Brussels municipalities plagued by the recent violence.