Belgian Interior ministry must reinforce security in Molenbeek, urges mayor

Following a shooting on Thursday, Molenbeek’s Socialist Party (PS) Mayor, Catherine Moureaux, demanded an immediate response from the Federal Minister of the Interior this Friday. “I am enraged,” stated Molenbeek’s Mayor. 

“There have been new gunshots in my commune. I have spoken with and written to Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden on two occasions to remind her of the critical need for additional police units.”

Following a confrontation between two men on Rue de l’Intendant in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, which resulted in both of them being sent to hospital, Catherine Moureaux, in a tweet posted Thursday afternoon, urged Federal Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden to strengthen police ranks.

Given that this is the tenth shooting in the commune in the last months, she urged federal authorities not to ignore her pleas.

“Molenbeek also has a right to security” she stated. “To truly cripple drug and weapon traffickers, the Federal Government has to put the means on the table.”

Considering the multiple staff shortages and several demands for an increase in federal funding over the past year, Moureaux has been advocating for a greater number of police personnel since the spring of 2019.

“Our officers in the Brussels West police zone are doing an excellent job. However, this goes well beyond the means of local police,” she concluded in her statement.

(VIV)

© BELGA PHOTO (PAUL-HENRI VERLOOY) Molenbeek Mayor Catherine Moureaux during the commemoration of the 2016 terrorist attacks in Brussels, in front of the Flamme de l'Espoir - Vlam van de Hoop (Flame of Hope)statue in Brussels