Joint targeted police operations around the Porte de Hal area in Brussels, launched in response to rising drug-related violence in the area, are already having the desired effects. Dozens of arrests and increased police presence have led to a drop in drug use and sales.
Located in a densely populated area of southwest Brussels, Porte de Hal has long camped with social unrest fuelled by poverty, which in turn contributes to rising crime, homelessness and rampant drug use and trafficking in broad daylight.
Four shootings took place here in just three days in early February, adding to locals' feelings of insecurity. The easy availability of substances like crack cocaine created a further sense of social deterioration in the area, with open drug use becoming more frequent – even during the day.
Following the spate of shootings in the area last February, the area was identified as a priority hotspot for drug trafficking by Brussels authorities. The intention of marking these locations was to carry out actions based on three pillars: security, prevention and neighbourhood life.
As part of this plan, the City of Brussels/ Ixelles police zone together with its Brussels-Midi counterpart have been holding a joint security operation at the Porte de Hal and its surroundings, including in the area's metro station since April.
"This action came in response to incidents in and around the Porte de Hal park, regarding the sale and use of drugs, fights, vehicle thefts, walkers in the park being harassed by homeless people, littering, and so on," the police zones noted in a press release.
Arrests, drug seizures and bags of cash
During several searches as part of the joint operation, the police seized 1.5 kg of hard drugs and 1.2 kg of soft drugs, eight weapons (including one weapon of war) and €93,375.
Additionally, 131 people were made available to the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office, of whom 36 were placed under arrest for, among other things, threats, attempted manslaughter and attempted murder, theft with violence, money laundering and possession and sale of narcotics. Among these arrests were 14 minors.
The seized weapons. Credit: City of Brussels/Ixelles and Midi Police zones/ Public Prosecutor's Office
Five people were placed at the disposal of a juvenile justice while 22 other people were summoned through the fast-track procedure and will soon have to appear before the correctional court.
So far, 16 convictions have been handed down by the Brussels Correctional Court – ranging from autonomous probation sentences to prison terms of 14 months to three years. Another six files will be finalised by the end of this year.
"These arrests, combined with the daily visible presence of the police, led to a significant decrease in drug sales and drug use, as well as the nuisance this caused," the police noted. The actions in the area will continue in the coming months to further tackle drug-related crime and violence.
Credit: City of Brussels/Ixelles and Midi Police zones/ Public Prosecutor's Office
A total of 11 detectives from the City of Brussels/Ixelles zone were joined during the operations by four colleagues from the Brussels-Midi police zone, members of the intervention services of both zones, the railway police, and the central Anti-Disturbance Brigade.
The operation was conducted in cooperation with the local municipalities concerned (City of Brussels and Saint-Gilles). The mayors of both communes – Philippe Close (PS) and Jean Spinette (PS) – are hopeful that these targeted actions are having an effect on the ground.
"The cooperation between our municipalities and police zones in the fight against crime and drug trafficking is bearing fruit. We persevere and continue to see concrete results on the ground thanks to our police officers, who are doing an impeccable job," said Close, the mayor of the City of Brussels. The Brussels-Midi police zone's Summer Plan also entered into force several days ago, allowing for an increased police presence in the neighbourhood.
