Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

Vandalism in the metro stations of the Belgian capital, Brussels, increased by 83 percent during the past year compared to the year before, amounting to a total cost of 1.68 million euros for the transport company “STIB”, especially with regard to infrastructure. This appeared in Transport Minister Elke van den Brandt’s response (from the Green Party) to a written question from Dominique Loetsel, head of the “hard-right” Vlaams Plane party bloc in the Brussels Parliament. According to a statement issued by the hard-right party, a copy of which we received, “in just one year.” , acts of vandalism at metro stations exploded dramatically. Besides drug consumption and ubiquitous begging, the underground infrastructure has clearly deteriorated. “There is an urgent need for a decisive approach.”
The statement added, “The estimated costs of sabotage on the STIB network will remain significantly high in 2023. With a total cost of 3,063,179 euros,” the far-right member said, “When taking a closer look at the estimates, it is striking that underground infrastructure has become the new target of saboteurs.” The now well-known insecurity combined with drug consumption creates new problems.
According to figures from the Brussels Public Transport Company, the cost of vandalism in metro stations rose by 83% (or an additional 763 thousand euros in 2023), which means that the total damage to metro stations can be estimated at about 1.68 million euros. This includes “usual” forms of vandalism such as graffiti, damaged fire extinguishers, blocked escalators or costs to clean up signs. But the strong increase is mainly due to vandalism to the entrance gates (+ 218,000 euros in damage), lighting and electrical boxes (+ 163,000 euros in damage) as well as a series of accidents to the fences and shutters of the stations (+ 340,000 euros). euros in damage). “The increase is accompanied by the generalization of the drug problem on public transportation,” says Lutzel. “The longer the government fails to keep drug addicts, beggars and troublemakers out of metro stations, the bigger the problem becomes. To the detriment of the common traveler, both literally and figuratively.”
The Vlaams Plan parliamentarian pointed out that catching saboteurs red-handed remains difficult. “With only 537 PV vehicles in 2023, the chance of being detected is still very low. The increased police presence at metro stations is paying dividends. In 2023, police were able to catch 55 vandals red-handed, compared to 44 in 2022.” “It's still a matter of wiping with the tap open,” Lutens-Style concludes. “As long as people tolerate drug addicts, beggars and runaways using Brussels metro stations as a playground, nothing will change.”