This summer, police officers in plainclothes and in uniform will be travelling on NMBS / SNCB trains running between Brussels and the Belgian Coast, Belga and Het Nieuwsblad report. Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) aims to draw a line in the sand against violent incidents on the train.
The officers will accompany the trains from Brussels to Ostend, and vice versa. “Summer vacation should be a period of relaxation for everyone, not a nuisance or intimidation,” said Quintin. Specifically, the ‘Sunrail‘ operation involves officers “acting quickly and decisively when situations of nuisance occur,” according to the minister. Consultations have also taken place with local police zones, such as the Ostend police, to ensure smooth and rapid cooperation.
“Our goal is clear,” also states Eric Snoeck, head of the Federal Police. “We need to ensure that families and holidaymakers can travel to and from the sea in a safe, peaceful environment.”
The number of officers deployed on each train depends on a risk analysis. “If this summer it turns out that incidents also occur on other lines heading to the coast, we will allocate capacity there as well,” the Interior ministry said.
Tough trains
Trains to and from the Coast can be tough. When temperatures rise, tempers also heat up. People are in holiday mood and perhaps paradoxically (or not), they tolerate less. No-one or nothing should stand in the way of their own good time. But in a world were more people do more activities, places will be more crowded and that means being more considerate of others, not less. And that, in the current zeitgeist, is a rare occurrence.
Combine this with people of all backgrounds and ages eager to assert themselves, can lead to explosive situations.
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