Debate Over Military Patrols in Brussels Amid Rising Drug Crime
The proposal to deploy military personnel in Brussels for joint patrols to combat rising drug crime has sparked controversy. Close, a key opponent, emphasized that military forces would be more effectively utilized at the Port of Antwerp or within prisons rather than patrolling the streets alongside police, reports 24brussels.
Close highlighted that “almost all cocaine that enters Europe passes through Antwerp,” underscoring the city’s reputation as Europe’s cocaine capital. The urgent need for stringent measures against drug trafficking is now at the forefront of public concern.
Close further suggested that soldiers could assist in addressing ongoing issues at Haren prison, which has faced scrutiny following recent corruption scandals involving guards. This situation accentuates the potential for military assistance in maintaining order in sensitive environments.
While the proposal from legislator Quintin received backing from his conservative-liberal Reformist Movement and the New Flemish Alliance, it faced substantial opposition from Close’s Socialist Party, the Greens, and the liberal VLD party. The discord highlights a significant ideological split regarding the role of military forces in domestic policing.
The military union ACMP has expressed disapproval of the initiative, asserting that soldiers lack a legal basis for patrolling Belgian streets. A union spokesperson pointed out that soldiers are only permitted to defend themselves in civilian settings, which restricts their capacity to engage in law enforcement activities alongside police.
Defense Minister Theo Francken lent his support to the deployment, stating that a clear legal framework with defined powers and rules of engagement has been established. He condemned the current security situation in Brussels, declaring, “We need to take back control.”
Concerns regarding the potential risks associated with military presence have also been voiced by former army general Marc Thys. He cautioned that soldiers might be “tested” by drug criminals, increasing the likelihood of violent confrontations with civilian casualties. Thys remarked on the inapplicability of historical comparisons, referencing the military deployments following the Charlie Hebdo attack a decade ago, noting that circumstances today differ significantly.