While it is not uncommon to see security guards carrying out this type of mission at the entrance to certain establishments, the situation here is unprecedented because it comes from a municipal authority. And because it must allow these security officers to be active in public spaces. Specifically around the Rive Gauche shopping mall, in the lower town, and the “CampusUCharleroi” in the upper town.
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A few days ago, Julie Patte (PS), acting mayor of Charleroi, explained to Day DH the reasons for such a request. “It is very complicated today for a security guard to manage the exit of a building while not being able to intervene outside, because it is a public space. To offer a rapid response, complementary to the presence of the police […]to act on the feeling of insecurity of the population but also on the feeling of impunity of some, we want to create these zones, she had explained. For example, a security guard hired by the management of Rive Gauche or CampusUCharleroi will be able to intervene in the event of a drug deal in the area around these buildings, rather than having to wait for a police patrol to arrive.”
Relieving the police
The security agents called to intervene in these “Vigilis” zones will therefore support the police officers on the ground, without replacing them. This has been possible since November 2017, when the Law Tobback of 1990 – governing the work of guards and security agents – gave way to the Jambon Law granting more generosity to so-called security professions.
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This legislative text was, moreover, eagerly awaited by the sector as the role of security guards had evolved while the missions delegated to them were limited by a Tobback law that had become unsuitable. To meet the growing demand, it was therefore necessary to propose a more adequate offer, without neglecting the legal guidelines necessary for the function. Another text was drawn up by the Minister of the Interior at the time, Jan Jambon (N-VA) and co-signed by the Minister of Justice at the time, Koen Geens (CD&V). The development of this security law made it possible, on the one hand, to broaden the missions to be entrusted to security guards and, on the other hand, to relieve somewhat the police officers, who were in high demand after the attacks of 22 March 2016 in Brussels.
The 2017 law authorized security agents to, in particular, carry out a search at the entrance to a public place or to detect the potential presence of narcotics, weapons or explosive devices. And to be mobilized, in a structured and temporary manner, in public spaces. As desired by the PS-Engagés-Écolo majority in Charleroi.
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False good idea according to the PTB
Pauline Boninsegna, PTB municipal councillor in Charleroi, says she understands the need for security in the neighbourhoods where the security guards will be deployed. But she believes that this is a false good idea.
“I know the place very well. These are neighborhoods affected by organized crime with regular settling of scores, she begins. A continuous security presence is needed, but we are faced with a phenomenon that can only be managed by the police. Putting security guards in such a context will not do much good. I also think that at the beginning, some of the security guards were not keen on the idea…”.
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The municipal councilor also specifies that the mission will be temporary, whereas it is necessary “act in a sustainable manner if we want to hope for positive results.” And to clarify : “The police must be more present, but that does not mean that we want more repression. The peacekeepers could also intervene and carry out preventive work with the police. It is by acting in this way that we will find long-term solutions.”
Should we conclude that the PTB will vote against this project at the municipal council?We decided to abstain. Because the idea, in itself, is positive and could help reassure the population. But not in the targeted neighborhoods. There, it is up to the police to intervene.”
