Many residents in and around the Gare district have expressed unease due to criminal activity in the area, particularly illegal drug dealing. City councillors Heloise Bock of the DP, and Claudine Konsbrück of the CSV tabled a motion on Monday to increase security in the district. Bock has spent years campaigning for an increased police presence in the area. The government recently increased this by 30%, but Bock felt this was insufficient as patrols are often diverted to deal with other tasks.
Konsbrück supported the motion, saying a more intensive cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was required to tackle the issue. The two councillors proposed a 15-step plan, including the implementation of new redevelopment measures in the rue de Strasbourg and the strengthening of the police force in the districts concerned, as well as a reassessment of the situation around the Abrigado drug centre in Bonnevoie. The motion also proposed the development of a video surveillance system around Bonnevoie.
The Green Party, which forms the main opposition in the municipality, opposed further repression and video surveillance. Councillor Christa Brömmel said it would be more favourable to work on prevention, while LSAP councillor Gabriel Boisante argued for more support for those in difficulty, as well as better infrastructure, housing and commerce.
The proposal has been submitted to the aldermen and will be debated over the coming weeks.
