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“And I see the deal in the square in front of the pharmacy even in broad daylight, I see shady people coming in and out of the vacant lots on Rue Basse, I see the devastated people passing by in cars with faces that wouldn’t make me want to let my children out, I see the murder of this poor young man in Gosselies, two kilometers from here, last week. Another car was burned in front of my house 5 years ago. In short: it’s getting serious.”
Courcelles is grappling with a perceived rise in insecurity, but a deeper look at the data reveals a more complex picture. While residents express concerns about recent incidents, official figures indicate a long-term decline in many types of crime.
A Community on Edge
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Residents voice anxieties over visible drug dealing, suspicious activity, and a general sense of fear, recalling a previous incident of vehicle arson near their home. This sentiment reflects a growing unease among those who live and work in Courcelles.
Long-Term Trends Tell a Different Story
Despite recent concerns, official statistics reveal a significant decrease in several key crime categories over the past quarter-century. Burglaries, car thefts, and armed robberies have all been halved, or even reduced to a third, of their previous levels. Even more recently, data from 2024 shows a nearly 25% drop in serious criminal acts-those that directly endanger individuals-over the last decade.
Is Courcelles becoming safer? while recent incidents have raised alarms, official data indicates a long-term decline in many types of crime, with serious offenses down almost 25% in the last ten years.
The police chief emphasizes the need for careful interpretation of the figures. “And again, we must be careful with these figures,” Autre insists. He explains that an increase in reported drug-related offenses is partly due to increased police focus on areas frequented by young people, aged 15 to 23. “If we see a statistical increase in acts linked to narcotics, with very young perpetrators, aged 15 to 23, it is also because that is what we control more. Who hangs out outside in the cities or city centers? Young people. So it is they who we control, and it is them who we pinch.”
The Changing face of Crime
While traditional crimes are decreasing, certain offenses are on the rise. Shoplifting, bank and computer fraud, and drug consumption are all increasing. However, Autre points out that the nature of crime is evolving, with digital scams becoming increasingly prevalent since the COVID-19 pandemic. “The evil of the century, on the other hand, has clearly been digital scams and scams since Covid: crime is transforming.”
- Crime on Place des trieux has increased in recent months,prompting increased police patrols.
- Burglaries, car thefts, and armed robberies have substantially decreased over the past 25 years.
- Serious criminal acts endangering individuals have dropped almost 25% in the last decade.
- digital scams and drug consumption are on the rise,reflecting a shift in criminal activity.
The situation in Courcelles highlights a complex reality: while residents’ concerns are valid, the overall trend suggests a safer community than in the past. The challenge now lies in addressing the emerging forms of crime and maintaining public trust through proactive policing and community engagement.
Courcelles, Belgium – November 8, 2024
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