Ghent alderman Sofie Bracke (Open VLD) is pushing for a black list of troublemakers who cause problems in recreational areas.
Such a list should be given a legal basis nationwide, according to Bracke.
Consultations are to be held with federal Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) on the issue.
A disturbance occurred in the Blaarmeersen recreation area in Ghent last weekend. The city council is working with a fence, atmosphere managers and security guards to maintain peace and safety in the park. However, there are no identity check to vet visitors’ records.
After last weekend’s incidents, a blacklist to keep unwanted guests out could help improve the situation, Bracke told the city council. “A few persons are ruining it for the bigger group,” she said. “But then you have to be able to get those few out. We cannot do that today. There is not enough legal basis for that.”
Attempts by the East Flanders deputation to set up such a system are also failing, said Bracke.
The alderman, in consultation with Mayor Mathias De Clercq (Open VLD), wants to plead for a legal basis at the federal level.
“We are going to escalate this to the federal level," she said. "This legal ambiguity has to be resolved. We feel the issues are such that a proper legal basis is needed for an access ban.”
