Brussels, (Brussels Morning)- By analogy with the stadium ban in the football law, CD&V wants to make a national access ban to recreational areas possible for amok makers. Member of Parliament Franky Demon (CD&V) has submitted a bill for this, says BRUZZ.
“For several years now, the first rays of the sun have been accompanied by incidents in recreational areas. We are constantly receiving reports of fights, vandalism, hindering rescuers and emergency services and even unwanted sexual behaviour,” says Demon.
“This misconduct creates a feeling of insecurity and ruins the atmosphere for the majority of visitors who do follow the rules. Moreover, these incidents tarnish the name of the recreational areas.”
Inspiration for stadium ban from football law
Last year, the Minister of the Interior and Demon party colleague Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) issued a circular with both preventive and repressive measures to prevent and punish nuisance and violence in recreational areas.
“An important step, but it turns out that further steps are needed,” says Demon. “Our proposal is inspired by the stadium ban in the football law: anyone who misbehaves in one domain will also be denied access in other domains.”
Entry ban for those who have already been banned elsewhere
CD&V wants to prevent the nuisance from moving from one recreational area to another. Antwerp governor Cathy Berx is also in favor of such a measure, says Demon.
In practice, mayors would be required to report any restraining order they impose. “That information can then be made available to the recreation domains on request. After all, they can register an entry ban in their park regulations for people who have already been banned from another recreation domain. By having the operators request this information, they will be able to request such an access ban. maintain,” Demon concludes.
Koen Metsu (N-VA) reacts ‘surprised’ to proposal
N-VA MP Koen Metsu reacted “surprised” to the CD&V proposal. Metsu refers to its own resolution from 2020 that referred to a blacklist for swimming pools and recreational areas. That resolution was also signed by CD&V member Demon.
“But it is precisely CD&V minister Verlinden who fails to implement my resolution consistently. The ban on places is already there, the only thing that the minister needs to get in order is the creation of a general database that lists the various domains and the police services. This is the only way to immediately refuse entry upon arrival,” says Metsu.
The N-VA Member of Parliament urges the minister to sort this out as soon as possible. “The summer has already started and the recreational areas have been full for weeks. It is therefore incomprehensible that CD&V still has to come up with its own legislative proposals, instead of implementing what is already on the table,” Metsu concludes.
