The Mayor of Kortrijk, Ruth Vandenberghe (Team Mayor), is collaborating with the hospitality industry to create a plan for safe nightlife in the city.
She met with bar owners from the nightlife area on Thursday afternoon, following the arrests earlier this week.
"This was our first discussion since the news broke," Ruth Vandenberghe commented. "Everyone is in shock. It’s horrifying for the victims. Young women must always be able to go out safely. Therefore, we are working with nightlife venues to ensure such incidents never happen again."
The meeting took place on Thursday, one day after five people were arrested on suspicion of spiking. Among those detained are the proprietors of the well-known café De Geverfde Vogel and the former café Patron, which went bankrupt last year.
"They are being held in custody today," the mayor added. "It’s unfortunate for the hospitality sector that the actions of a few impact the entire community’s reputation. Ninety-nine percent of the owners have good intentions."
"We need to work together to restore Burgemeester Reynaertstraat as a popular nightlife destination where young people can enjoy themselves without worry," Vandenberghe concluded.
