Differdange’s reputation has taken a hit in recent years.
The town in the Grand Duchy’s southwest is regarded as a popular hub for drug trafficking and other criminal activities. To address this, the municipality and the police collaborated on a local security plan, which was unveiled on Thursday. The initiatives in this plan will be implemented in collaboration with partners who specialise in social affairs, education, and prevention. Our colleagues from RTL Télé travelled to Differdange to report on the situation in the city.
While Parc Gerlach might seem a peaceful spot in the morning, the municipal park was actually identified as the main criminal hotspot in Differdange during the drafting of the local security plan. From the afternoon until late at night, people flock to the park to consume alcohol and illegal drugs, all while making noise and littering. Especially the customers of one particular café are regularly causing trouble, without the owner being able to do anything about it. The plan includes efforts at several levels to improve the situation in Differdange.
Sophie Hoffmann, deputy regional director for the southwest region, explains that police presence will be increased in designated areas. However, the strategy also includes a preventative aspect, which will include special classes in local schools focused on juvenile delinquency, drugs, or violence in general.
Local authorities have also demanded that CCTV cameras be installed at Parc Gerlach, in addition to increased police presence. According to Minister of Internal Security Henri Kox, the Ministry is currently assessing whether video surveillance is necessary and, if so, how it should be implemented. Local politicians in Differdange are convinced that the measure must be adopted.
Mayor of Differdange Christiane Brassel-Rausch points out that video surveillance “has been requested by the population” and is also part of the local coalition agreement. While the Minister has said that assessments are underway, Brassel-Rausch criticises that assessments always take time “and this time, which is required to make a proper and coherent decision, is always presented as if nothing is happening.”
Nevertheless, the Mayor is optimistic and thinks that the municipality is “on the right track”. Brassel-Rausch admits that a particular challenge with this issue is that different generations have a very different idea of what they consider a sense of security. But even if it is impossible to please everyone, the local authorities want to continue working on transforming Differdange into a town where the majority of people is happy to live, the Mayor concludes.
