In a year and a half, 251 municipal administrative fines have been issued to individuals visiting the Peterbos neighbourhood in Anderlecht.
This was confirmed by Anderlecht Mayor Fabrice Cumps (PS) on Thursday, following a report by the Dutch-language Brussels media outlet Bruzz.
Introduced in early 2024, the fines are aimed at combatting drug trafficking and related violence in the area. By imposing them, local authorities and police hope to deter drug dealers and discourage drug consumers from entering the neighbourhood.
Another goal is to reassure residents that the police and local authorities are committed to addressing the situation.
Most dealers and sellers in Peterbos “have no ties to the neighbourhood or even to Anderlecht,” Mayor Cumps stressed.
So far, the sanctions have been renewed every three months. A new extension was to be proposed to the communal council on Thursday.
In addition to the fines for non-residents, 66 other administrative sanctions have been issued for various offences, including spitting, disrespect, and ignoring prohibition signs.
