Beggars standing in front of traffic lights at major intersections are part of the urban landscape in every major city in Europe. In Luxembourg too, this phenomenon exists. For example on the road to Esch, in Hollerich, at the crossroads in front of the parish church or on the Place de l’Etoile in the capital.
As Interior Minister Léon Gloden (CSV) confirms in his response to a parliamentary question from the ADR, he is aware of the situation. Between May 21, 2023 and May 20, 2024, the police are said to have carried out a total of 59 targeted checks in Hollerich in this context. On the Place de l’Etoile, the police checked beggars twelve times. In order to emphasize prevention in addition to repression, the police have reinforced their presence in these places.
Sanctions exist
The highway code provides a legal means to combat beggars who ask for alms from motorists stopped at red lights. Violations are punishable by fines, Gloden continues. However, the police cannot say how many times such offenses have been punished over the past twelve months. Details are not saved in databases. “We are currently examining whether further changes to the law are necessary to combat this phenomenon,” he said.
In Hollerich, a couple of elderly beggars had even set up a rest and sleeping area a few weeks ago directly at the crossroads in front of the church. To protect themselves from sun, wind and bad weather, they used an ADR election poster, recently challenged for copyright infringement.
Homeless people had settled under the ADR election poster in Hollerich. © PHOTO: Steve Remesch
This article was originally published on the website of Luxemburger Wort.
Adaptation: Simon Martin
