On Monday evening, shots were fired in the Brussels municipality of Saint-Gilles for the third consecutive day. This was already the sixth similar incident in Brussels within a few days: in addition to Saint-Gilles, there have been shooting incidents in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek and Anderlecht in recent days.<\/p>\n
Minister of the Interior Bernard Quentin describes the incidents as “completely unacceptable.” However, he also considers them a sign that the fight against drug crime is bearing fruit. “This shows that it works, and we must carry on,” he said in De Ochtend, “but it is a long-term effort.”<\/p>\n
Quentin also emphasised that he has indeed ensured reinforcement at the federal judicial police in Brussels. The mayor of Saint-Gilles, Jean Spinette (PS), expressed criticism regarding the reinforcement of the Brussels police and called for “the same resources as Antwerp,” but according to the minister, Brussels is not disadvantaged compared to the Scheldt city.<\/p>\n
He calls for “stopping the finger-pointing” and working together, but also points out the responsibility of Brussels’ local politicians. “I have allocated 1 million euros for new cameras in the South zone, but I hear now that it could take up to two years before they can be replaced due to problems with trees. That’s not the fault of the minister of the Interior, is it?”<\/p>\n
Later on Tuesday, Quentin will also visit the police station in Anderlecht, he said. The minister is also available to the Chamber’s Interior Committee. Opposition parties PS and Vlaams Belang have requested that the meeting be held so they can ask questions. “It’s only a matter of which is greater: the number of stray bullets or the broken promises to do something about it by the government. The committee must meet on this,” said Vlaams Belang (extreme right) MP and committee chairman Ortwin Depoortere.<\/p>\n