This situation induces a change in behavior on the part of customers who will favor shopping centers with more security with private parking or turn to online shopping. “Customers will avoid going to certain areas carrying their shopping bags because they no longer feel safe there. These places will therefore be deserted in favor of secure shopping centers or for the benefit of shopping on the internet.he specifies. “Security has a clear influence on commerce at large. We see that customers are fleeing certain hospitality establishments located in problem areas. The same goes for hairdressers, liberal professions, pharmacies, etc.”
Moving deal points
In order to stem the problem of drug trafficking, reinforced police surveillance is organized in different places, particularly at regional hotspots. This is the case on the side of the city of Peterbos in Anderlecht. From then on, traffic moves in the surrounding area, including near the Westland Shopping located very close to the city. “The deal was organized even on the terraces of establishments and restaurants in the shopping center, which is why I extended the order prohibiting gatherings to the vicinity of Westland. explains Fabrice Cumps, mayor of Anderlecht.
A report of incidents of incivility is also observed in the Brussels Capital Ixelles police zone, demonstrating that when an area is subject to increased police surveillance, crime tends to move to less supervised areas. “We are observing a shift in crime such as thefts, drug trafficking and attacks from rue Neuve in the city center of Brussels to the town of Ixelles where there is less traffic. This observation applies to the Chaussée d’Ixelles which has many stores. specifies Carolle Van Dijck, spokesperson for the security agency Securitas.
“We sacrificed the lower part of Forest where insecurity has become the norm for the well-being of the sores who live up there”
Not all traders are on an equal footing to eliminate the feeling of insecurity. “Small traders are clearly harmed because they cannot afford a security agent, a security gate or intelligent cameras, especially since they are often unaware of the legislation in this area. We observe, although still not widespread, small independents who come together to rent, together, the services of a security agent from G4S or Securitas who carries out rounds and thus reassures customers and traders.concludes Olivier Mauen of the SNI.
The threat of the ram car
Particular attention is once again being paid this year to securing access to the main commercial centers. As we have seen recently, the car-ramming attack remains a preferred mode of operation for terrorists. This was the case during the attack at the Magebourg market in Germany where an individual drove his vehicle into the crowd (five killed and 200 injured) as well as during New Year’s Eve in New Orleans when a sympathizer of the Islamic State took the lives of 14 people, leaving around thirty injured.
Insecurity in the North district, Bernard Clerfayt highlights the inaction of the Federal Government: “it no longer assumes its missions”
Ocam, the body coordinating threat analysis, is well aware of the problem. “Sales are typically considered a ‘soft target’, i.e. a mass event popular with terrorists and for which increased vigilance is required to prevent a tragedy from occurring”, concludes Kevin Volon, spokesperson for the Oscar.
