Good afternoon.
We start the week with a report on a survey which puts some figures on a feeling that many of you have been expressing about where we live over the past few months.
Almost one in five Brussels residents "often" or "always" feel unsafe in their neighbourhood, according to a new Security Monitor survey. The increasing feeling of insecurity is linked to drug nuisance and drug crime.
The new Security Monitor – a survey of almost 150,000 people – shows that across Belgium, just under 10% of people "often" or "always" feel unsafe in their neighbourhood. At 19%, this figure was highest in the Brussels-Capital Region (up from 16% before), compared to 7% in Flanders and 13% in Wallonia.
This may not seem a huge amount, but the fact that it's getting bigger is worrying, and it feeds the perception that things are getting out of control – which, as I have said before, is as important as the numbers themselves. That perception carries over into half of the respondents saying that they thought there was no point in making a complaint to the police. This becomes a vicious circle, and makes tackling the problem even more difficult.
Governments and authorities need the cooperation of us citizens to tackle the biggest problems in our society – if that relationship of trust breaks down, it is very difficult for politicians to regain it.
On a slightly different note, you can be forgiven for feeling a little insecure in your commune last night if you lived in Saint-Gilles.... what with all the fireworks and car horns. It wasn't a coup that was in progress – rather 90 years of pent-up emotion and exuberance from long-suffering Union Saint-Gilloise fans bursting out into the streets.
The club have been pipped at the post on a couple of occasions recently by Belgium's slightly bonkers play-off system; but last night, they were finally crowned champions. Congratulations to all involved!
Belgium in Brief
is a free daily roundup of the top stories to get you through your coffee break conversations. To receive it straight to your inbox every day, sign up below:
1. One in five Brussels residents feels unsafe in their neighbourhood
The new Security Monitor – a survey of almost 150,000 people – shows that across Belgium, just under 10% of people "often" or "always" feel unsafe in their neighbourhood. At 19%, this figure was highest in the Brussels-Capital Region (up from 16% before). Read more.
2. Brussels municipality considers installing underground waste bins
"Rubbish bags on the streets are out of date. We should look at the many examples of European metropolises where they put waste underground." Read more.
3. Belgians accused of ‘stealing wind’ from the Dutch
A Dutch weather expert says Belgian wind farms have an important advantage over those of their Dutch neighbours. Read more.
4. Flanders criticised for raising fees of all language courses except Dutch
"Multilingualism in our globalised society is not a luxury, but a necessity." Read more.
5. Union St-Gilloise win first league title in 90 years
A decisive 3-1 over KAA Gent crowns Union as Belgian champions, surpassing Club Brugge by three points. Read more.
6. Belgium’s water ‘roulette’: Extreme weather complicates water resilience
"Water has been taken for granted for very long in Europe." Read more.
7. Brussels’ only outdoor pool closure must serve as ‘wake-up call’ for authorities
"In today's segregated societies, outdoor pools are one of the few places which bring all kinds of people together, based on a shared enjoyment of refreshment." Read more.
