Amidst concerns over safety in Luxembourg City's Gare district, Fokus calls for a dedicated police minister, arguing that the current official cannot efficiently handle both housing and internal security simultaneously.
At a press conference held in the capital's Gare district on Tuesday, the Fokus party argued that Luxembourg needs a full-time police minister to get what they described as a deteriorating situation back under control. Party officials underlined that the concerns of residents have to be taken seriously so that they do not end up taking matters into their own hands.
Fokus believes it to be irresponsible to have one person - regardless of party - fill the roles of both housing and internal security minister, which is the case for Henri Kox. Frank Engel, the party's lead candidate, noted: "How do I want to take care of the police, which is actually a full-time job, ... if I am simultaneously minister for housing? The previous one was also economy minister."
The young party argues that former Luxembourg City police stations should reopen to ensure that there is continuous oversight. Furthermore, Fokus wants to improve the training and equipment of police officers. Engel stressed that these improvements have to be made to avoid recreating situations, such as the one in Gare, elsewhere in the country.
As for transparency and organisation, there is still room for improvement, according to Fokus. Engel says the police's work is often rendered less efficient by complicated procedures. The goal is to reduce the procedures pertaining to minor violations to a maximum of ten days, said spokesperson Luc Majerus.
The party also says the police has an image problem that needs work.
Fokus believes that parties should stop trying to outbid each other with their proposals for how many officers are needed in the field. Rather, the structural problems should be prioritised, concluded party officials.
