All four of the shootings in Brussels last week were related to drug trafficking, and three of them occurred at so-called "hotspots", officially designated areas subject to stricter police checks. Has the strategy made any difference in the fight against drug trafficking and violence?
In February 2024, Brussels experienced four shootings within three days in the Midi police zone. Two people were injured and one person died.
After more shootings the following month, the Brussels-Capital Region introduced the "hotspot" strategy: 15 locations were designated as such, with each one gaining a special police taskforce, a concentration of local "peacekeepers" and increased efforts to keep the area liveable for locals.
A resident wearing a sweater 'Anderlecht 1070' written on it, pictured near the Clemenceau metro station, which is closed off after a shooting this morning, Thursday 06 February 2025. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
Exactly one year later, in February 2025, Brussels has once again seen four shootings occur back to back: one in Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode, two at Clemenceau metro station and one in Peterbos, Anderlecht (the last episode killed one person). Clemenceau and Peterbos are both classified hotspots, but has this label contributed to officials' handle on drug violence?
Nothing more than marketing?
The hotspot strategy aims to ensure public order and prevent drug dealing on a small scale. It does not target largescale trafficking.
Speaking off the record, a source told The Brussels Times that police forces have always focused on unofficial focal points. The official label is nothing more than a PR move to reassure the public there is a concerted response to drug violence.
According to the regional agency safe.brussels, the strategy has served a purpose in that it has "made this issue central to discussions and has helped to break down the barriers between the various departments involved."
Brussels Minister-President Rudi Vervoort (PS) and safe.brussels chairperson Sophie Lavaux pictured during a press conference after a meeting of the Brussels Regional security council to discuss drug-related violence in Brussels, Tuesday 27 February 2024. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
The hotspot measure is managed by a Regional Security Council (CORES) led by Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region Rudi Vervoort (PS) and made up of all 19 mayors of Brussels.
During a CORES meeting in September, Vervoort highlighted the strategy's achievements. He said the approach has raised awareness of drug trafficking at every level of power, allowed for a realistic view of the issue on the ground and created "synergy" between different operations such as the commune, the police and non-profit organisations.
He also conceded that "this strategy alone will obviously not put an end to drug trafficking. The responsibility of the federal authorities must also be reiterated, particularly with regard to strengthening the police and prosecution services in Brussels."
Stigmatising a community
Police pictured at the scene of the shooting in Peterbos last week. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
The hotspot measure was extended by six months in October, but the label has been criticised for stigmatising already disadvantaged communities by giving socially neglected neighbourhoods "the additional reputation of being bad neighbourhoods, dangerous neighbourhoods."
Former Interior Minister and now Justice Minister Annalies Verlinden (CD&V) told The Brussels Times that she appointed a National Drugs Commissioner to deal with the social impact of drug trafficking in Belgium.
This was "in order to bring all the information together to clearly map the situation in Belgium, not just on the repressive side but also on the preventive side," she said in December (when she was still in charge of the Interior).
Speaking off the record, a member of a party that is likely to feature in the next Regional Government majority concurs that too much focus on repression does not contribute to a long-term solution.
"A repressive response is a good first step but it is not enough on its own," the source outlined.
Anderlecht mayor: Shootings not a local issue
The CORES will meet on Tuesday, but last week's shootings will not be a priority according to mayor of Anderlecht Fabrice Cumps (PS). He told The Brussels Times that last week's incidents are not its responsibility (even though the CORES was at the centre of the response to last year's shootings).
"The hotspots deal with drug dealing at street level," he said. Official response to last week's violence "is a judicial matter that is targeting networks and identifying the people in charge of the mafias behind this trafficking."
Anderlecht Mayor Fabrice Cumps. Credit: Belga
Nevertheless, Brussels politicians have called on the CORES to take action in the wake of the shootings. "The time of non-committal with a half-hearted approach is over. Everyone must take responsibility in this," said Brussels MP Benjamin Dalle (CD&V) last week.
"We expect the Minister-President to coordinate the regional security policy," a Groen spokesperson told The Brussels Times. "Too much crime takes place on police zone borders [...] At the same time, drug crime is bigger than the capital. We need to crack down harder on organised crime."
For Cumps, Anderlecht, Brussels and Belgium need a more global response to drug trafficking and the violence it engenders. "Local police should not be the ones investigating mafias. I am trying to mobilise everyone around this fight so that we have a single public response."
