Brussels municipalities seek measures to limit scooter use in drug-trafficking hotspots
Brussels municipalities are set to discuss measures aimed at curbing the use of electric scooters by drug dealers in neighbourhoods affected by drug trafficking. The precise arrangements have not yet been finalised.
On Thursday, Benoît Cerexhe (Les Engagés), chair of the conference of mayors, said the mayors are expected to decide next Wednesday whether to establish a working group on the issue. A few weeks ago, public prosecutor Julien Moinil asked the conference to identify users of these fast modes of transport in the hotspots.
According to the prosecutor, scooters are used by both gunmen and drug dealers. In a letter sent this week to the conference chair, Moinil also highlighted the rising number of traffic accidents involving shared scooters.
Debate over possible restrictions
Cerexhe says he supports improved authentication of users but does not favour a ban that is limited to specific areas (hotspots and their surroundings) or specific times (evenings and nights).
In an interview with BX1, the mayor of Saint-Gilles, Jean Spinette (PS), expressed stronger support for a ban on shared scooters in hotspots, though not on private scooters, for which he argues registration should be required.
Brussels MP Sofia Bennani (Les Engagés) backs a ban on electric scooters between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. in the most affected municipalities, which are Anderlecht, Molenbeek, Schaerbeek, Saint-Gilles and Forest. She warns that restricting them only within hotspots could simply shift trafficking elsewhere, but advocates an exemption for night-shift workers who rely on scooters for commuting.
© BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
Related news
