As outlined in the 22-action plan brought in to improve safety in and around Brussels-Midi station, the mayor of Saint-Gilles has extended for three months the banning of the consumption of alcohol.
According to the local authority, the aim of the measure is to stop such consumption, and not to systematically fine the people concerned.
The order was issued last June. The measure has been extended in and around Brussels-Midi station, in accordance with the action plan recently drawn up by all the players concerned, under the coordination of the federal government.
The ban on alcohol consumption in the public space, together with the closure of shops at 13:00, in the station area only, completes the set of measures taken as part of the action plan for the station.
Mayor of Saint-Gilles, Jean Spinette. Credit: Belga
"The ban on alcohol consumption in the street is not a miracle solution. But it will help to reduce the level of nuisance and violence caused by excessive alcohol consumption for the benefit of the homeless public, who are the first victims of this violence, social workers to enable them to work in safer conditions, residents of the neighbourhoods concerned and station users."
He stressed that his priority remained the social work that was essential for the homeless public. “And I can only stress once again the effort that must be made by the federal government in the reception of migrants and unaccompanied foreign minors to ensure effective care for this public and its better distribution between regions”, he said again.
