Fewer police zones in West Flanders soon?
For the CD&V minister, the current zones are not equipped for the current problems, which often cross borders: “Just think of drug smuggling, cybercrime and human trafficking. But also specializations in, for example, domestic violence or sexual offenses are more obvious on a larger scale. require a different approach than a bicycle theft.”
Verlinden emphasizes that the district commissioners and district inspectors remain necessary: ”They are the eyes and ears on the ground and can sometimes pick up signs of juvenile delinquency, domestic violence or even terrorism more quickly. An old woman who is robbed of her handbag must quickly and get help at home.”
Small commissariat
“Even small supervisory directorships in shopping centers are an option. Or file a digital declaration with an inspector.” She refers to the Limburg Carma zone, where people in various places can make a declaration via screens, which put them in contact with a real inspector.
No savings
For Annelies Verlinden, this is not a cost-cutting operation: “Thanks to the increase in scale and more efficient use of resources, we will be able to do more with the same budget. We will also be able to better protect sensitive police data in larger systems”.
There are currently 19 police zones in West Flanders, employing more than three thousand people. The plans for amalgamation of police zones are not new. Prime Minister De Croo also suggested the idea, provincial governor Carl Decaluwé then argued for four police zones in West Flanders, parallel to the emergency zones of the fire brigade.