We need to act sooner rather than later to save Gare

The Gare neighbourhood has always struggled with its reputation. While its challenges are often discussed, I want to share my own first-hand experiences, along with stories from friends and family who have lived or worked in the area. 
 
I live in Gare. Of course, not every part of the neighbourhood is problematic, but I happen to live on one of those so-called 'bad streets'. My new year began like this: the lock on my front gate forcibly broken, with nails jammed inside of it. Was it a break-in attempt? Or just a way to harass the building's occupants? There's no way of knowing.

This, for many of us living in Gare, is a common occurrence. Indeed, you see it often on the news: burglaries, forced entryways, broken doors, squatters in cellars and basements – it's all too common. When I tell my friends and acquaintances where I live, I am often met with a look of pity and awkwardness. They seem at a loss for words, unable to conceive that someone would willingly choose to stay there. And the worst part? I get it.

Drug-dealing, prostitution, alcohol, violence, homelessness, vandalism… those are all realities of the area. Realities I have seen since my childhood because yes, I grew up in Gare. People taking drugs in broad daylight (injecting themselves in places I will not mention), catcalling, harassment, sachets being thrown over school gates, men looking like they're touching themselves in front of schoolyards, fights, and people being mugged in broad daylight – I could go on.

But it wasn't always this bad.

Back in the day, it was not unusual to see someone under the influence of drugs. You would also see the occasional drug-dealer here and there, and of course, prostitution has always been a common occurrence. Then there was the mafia in the 70s and 80s. You might think I'm joking but I know more than a few stories that involve them.

However, in some strange way, everything was kept somewhat 'hidden'.

Today, this has drastically changed. Now, instead, there are people taking drugs and injecting themselves in front of people's homes, mine included. How is it possible that almost every day I have people sitting on my front steps? That I have to excuse myself whenever I want to enter or leave my building or that every night, I'm woken up by shouting, fights, or the sound of cars being violently vandalised? That I always feel on edge, day or night, when I walk through those streets – past drug-dealers lingering on every corner, watching passersby like vultures – when all I want is to get home?

These streets, for a lack of better word, are filthy. It is not unusual for me to find broken glass, empty alcohol cans, food, bodily fluids, burnt spoons, and even a needle or two for good measure in front of my front door. The smell is not any better. People relieve themselves on walls, behind cars, and even in the middle of the street – sometimes two or three at a time, chatting casually as if it's nothing. My grandmother, who also lives here, often finds puddles of urine accumulating in front of her flat...

All of this suffocates local shopkeepers, restaurant owners, and residents. There are hundreds upon hundreds of such stories. For example, I can tell you the case of a local restaurant on the verge of closing because drug dealers and drug addicts have turned its entrance into their shelter and stand there every single day.

And it’s not just two or three people, it's dozens! Dozens and dozens of people who have fallen through the cracks. And it's not just the addicts – there are also the sex workers, many of whom seem to be forced into this life, standing on freezing street corners, fixing their hair and makeup in street mirrors.

If you live here, you quickly realise they are normal people who've been dealt a heartbreakingly cruel hand in life. I will never forget the day my grandmother and I were struggling to pack my car with heavy furniture, and those women ran over to help us, asking for nothing in return.

It is a sad reality, and it seems that every day there is a new face on the streets. Sometimes, those faces are outrageously young, and I would not be surprised if some of them are minors. There have been times when I've had brief conversations with those people, and many of them have said it's better to die than to fall as low as they have. Those are heavy words that need to be taken seriously.

The government aims to eradicate homelessness by 2030, but how can this goal be achieved without a clear strategy or real consideration for those already in need of assistance? Yes, homeless shelters do exist, but if you take the time to speak with those living on the streets – especially women – you'll often hear that they're afraid to go there. Theft among guests and harassment of women are very real concerns they face.

Every now and then, you hear about an initiative to make Gare 'better', to make it more liveable, and many people believed that with the new government in place, there would have been more concrete actions. We can for example mention the increased police presence.

There has also been the ban on begging, which, frankly speaking, is a simplistic decision that tries to superficially address the issue, especially because the ban is time limited. It raises the question: do we only care about the City's and Gare’s image during working hours, when commuters flood the centre, while residents are left to grapple with their struggles?

And let's be honest: the proposed solutions are not working. It seems as if the situation is getting worse and worse. Yes, the increased police presence helps in some way, but only during the day! At night, it's a free-for-all. Local residents widely share the sentiment, echoed by Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer, that a "feeling of impunity" pervades – a sentiment that emboldens criminals.

The justice system offers little reassurance, grappling as it is with staff shortages in the judiciary. It's been openly acknowledged that only "significant" cases are pursued through criminal proceedings. But where does that leave Gare's residents?

For many, it feels like a slap in the face, as they endure daily theft, harassment, and vandalism with little recourse. What's the point of reporting these incidents to the police if they lead nowhere, dismissed as too minor to address? Without consequences, offenders will simply carry on.

Marches and protests have been organised, urging the government to act and stop turning a blind eye. Has anything changed? Once again, no. The root of the issue, drugs and drug-dealing, remains unaddressed. This needs to become the top priority, yet it feels like the problem is being swept under the rug.

Ask anyone living in Gare, and they'll tell you with unnerving accuracy where the drug deals take place. I am not qualified to suggest sustainable solutions, nor am I knowledgeable enough. This is something I leave to decision-makers. But what I do know is that we need to act, sooner rather than later.

The neighbourhood is at a tipping point, and if nothing is done, it could spiral into complete chaos. Violent crimes and assaults are already on the rise, with phones being stolen daily – 22 thefts in a single night on New Year's Day alone. Even worse, the police often respond dismissively to complaints because it has become so commonplace.

There have been recent discussions about forming a citizen militia. While I don't think it's a sustainable solution (because, despite everything, this is still not a lawless place) I understand where it's coming from. People are, quite simply, tired.

I really wish it was different because I believe that the Gare neighbourhood has a wonderful quality, a richness that is quite unique. It is a true melting pot of nationalities; a place where people from not just Europe but all over the world live as neighbours and have the opportunity to open small businesses. It is a wonderful aspect that many people forget about; this is a living, breathing area that has so much to offer.

But even as I write this, in the middle of the afternoon, I can hear shouting on my street, and from my bedroom window, I can see a group of people openly taking drugs right in front of my building.

This is a plea for both the public and decision-makers to stop turning a blind eye and stop believing that superficial solutions will suffice. This is a complex, deep-rooted issue that requires serious attention. Despite everything, I love this neighbourhood, and I don't want to see it deteriorate further. I'll leave it at this: We should not forget about Gare.

*The author of this letter wishes to remain anonymous; however, their identity is known to RTL Today.