In the wake of a deadly shooting that rocked the Forest municipality late on Monday night, Mayor Charles Spapens (PS) is calling for immediate and substantial investments in Brussels’ police forces, warning that without urgent action, public safety across the capital will continue to deteriorate.
The shooting, which took place at around 23:45 on Monday on in the north of the municipality where Rue de Mérode intersects Rue Pierre Decoster, has reignited concerns about the spillover of organized crime and drug-related violence into residential neighbourhoods. While details of the incident are confidential due to the ongoing investigation, the mayor confirmed that this particular area had become a hotspot for criminal activity.
“Residents told me they were feeling somewhat relieved by the increased police controls. But unfortunately, this happened last night. I was with the residents again this morning at 07:30,” Spapens told The Brussels Times.
A chronic lack of resources
In an impassioned appeal, Spapens vividly criticised the chronic underfunding of Brussels' police zones compared to other regions in Belgium. He described the disparity as "crazy" and said it leaves local forces overstretched and under-resourced.
“The Brussels police zones don’t get anywhere near the same funding as others (in Belgium),” he added. “For one police officer in Brussels, we have about €30,000 in funding, while in other zones, the average is €50,000. We are missing over 100 officers in our zone alone.”
The mayor argues that the Federal Government must take responsibility and provide structural financing that matches the scale of the challenges faced by Brussels municipalities.
“I hope, once and for all, that the Federal Government understands it needs to fund the Brussels police zones properly,” Spapens said. “Enough is enough, They need to stop playing games and strengthen justice. We have a new public prosecutor who is highly committed, but without resources, he won’t be able to do anything.”
While the mayor acknowledged the efforts of law enforcement and judicial authorities, he stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy that addresses not only security but also prevention and public health.
“We need to work systemically. Reinforce justice and police, but also focus on prevention. We have to support people with addictions because the more consumers there are, the more dealers there are.”
Spapens advocated a hard-hitting approach targeting high-level dealers and their assets. “We need to confiscate their cars, houses, everything they’ve bought with drug money. We need to hit them where it hurts because it’s not the small dealers causing the real harm – it’s those at the top.”
Losing public patience
The mayor’s comments reflect a growing frustration among residents who feel their neighbourhoods are becoming battlegrounds for drug gangs. Some welcomed the recent uptick in police presence and checks whilst others remain sceptical, questioning whether authorities can truly regain control.
“It’s fundamental to act now,” he concluded. “Without adequate funding and a clear strategy, we’re just putting out fires instead of preventing them.”
As investigation works to uncover the truth behind Monday night’s shooting, one thing is clear: this is not an isolated incident. It’s the latest in a string of violent attacks that have rocked Forest and the Brussels region in recent weeks.
The focus must now shift to concrete solutions – whether political, judicial, or operational. But the residents of Forest and the broader Brussels region can't wait for public safety to be restored.
