Nuisance caused by alcohol consumption and drunkenness in public spaces is prompting more and more Brussels municipalities to ban alcohol. For example, the municipal council of Anderlecht voted for a ban on the entire municipal territory. “There are more and more calls for a global approach.”
In places where there is a lot of nuisance due to alcohol in public spaces, municipalities can impose an alcohol ban through a police ordinance. These are often temporary and limited to only the squares and streets with the most nuisance. And the municipality must have a clear reason for such a decision. For example, Anderlecht and Sint-Gillis introduced a ‘summer plan’ in recent months to maintain peace in certain neighborhoods (including the Raadsplein and the Voorplein).
“Ban on the entire territory would be easier”
This often leads to frustration among the police, “because people who cause a nuisance can simply move around to avoid getting a fine. A ban on the entire territory of the police zone would be much easier for us,” says Laurent Masset, police spokesperson for the Marlow zone (Audergem, Uccle and Watermaal-Bosvoorde).
In Watermaal-Bosvoorde there is currently such a general ban throughout the territory, and Anderlecht and Uccle also approved such a ban during the last municipal council. Anyone who causes a nuisance through excessive alcohol consumption may receive an administrative fine.
The police can also intervene if they do not cause problems, but still consume alcohol in public spaces. The drink may be confiscated and thrown away.
“Intention to harmonize regulations”
The issue was discussed at the last Mayors’ Conference. According to Benoît Cerexhe (Les Engagés), mayor of Sint-Pieters-Woluwe, the intention is to harmonize the regulations in the 19 municipalities. “A majority of mayors are in favor,” according to Cerexhe. But there is no concrete plan.
For the mayor of Jette, Claire Vandevivere (LBJette), a general alcohol ban is disproportionate to the problem. “In many places there is no problem, and such a ban on the entire territory would have too great an impact on citizens’ freedom.”
The City of Brussels has had its own regulations for several years, which were recently extended for a year, but not for the entire territory (mainly the northern district of the pentagon and the pedestrian area up to Fontainas).
A general alcohol ban throughout the region is therefore not imminent, but more and more municipalities are expanding their alcohol-free zones.
This article is originally published on bruzz.be
