Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo wants a police station built at Brussels’ Midi station, he announced Thursday, as part of an action plan to tackle a surging drug problem.
“A police station will be built at the Brussels Midi train station. This is one of 22 measures taken. It was requested by local and regional authorities” as well as by Belgium’s National Railway Company (SNCB), De Croo said on X (formerly Twitter) and during a press conference Thursday.
The action plan — which contains a mixture of social and security measures — aims to “significantly improve life for passengers and local residents,” De Croo added. Midi is Belgium’s main domestic and international railway hub.
He presented the details of the action plan Thursday morning during a joint press meeting with Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet, Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden and the minister-president of the Brussels region, Rudi Vervoort.
Midi station — which has been struggling with people consuming crack on and around the premises — will have a better care system for drug users, while alcohol consumption will be prohibited entirely, Belgian media reported.
The train station’s appearance will also be improved through regular cleaning operations to remove tags and graffiti, while badly lit areas will be brightened up.
Brussels authorities and the SNCB will also work together to share their surveillance camera footage, Gilkinet announced.
Beyond the newly planned permanent police station — the location and opening date for which were not announced — law enforcement will patrol more regularly in the Midi station.