The municipality of Anderlecht began using surveillance cameras at the end of 2016 to combat illegal dumping and the method has proven its effectiveness according to the municipal authorities. As a result, no fewer than 822 fines have been issued since January on hygiene offences, totalling 123,000 euros, local authorities in Anderlecht said on Tuesday. Among these, 47 fines, for a total amount of 7,250 euros, were issued thanks to the placement of surveillance cameras.
These violations were confirmed by means of illegal dumping searches, the organisation of hiding places and the placement of surveillance cameras. In addition, a coordinator has been hired in the law enforcement department to ensure permanent punitive actions together with his team.
Surveillance cameras have been placed in strategic locations in different areas of the municipality, such as glass bubbles and uncrowded zoning areas where there are few homes. The municipal authorities point out that more than 50% of the offences identified by the cameras are committed by people living in Anderlecht. These figures were obtained during a period of tolerance for bags deposited outside hours, which was introduced from 1 January to 31 March following the change in the collection schedules by Bruxelles-Propreté (a waste collection and treatment organisation), they add.
"These checks provide good results and allow us to impose severe fines on the people who pollute our city. Thanks to the cameras, we are able identify the illegal dumping offenders that we could not apprehend for such offences previously," said the alderman of Public Hygiene behind the initiative, Elke Roex.
The Brussels Times
