Kyodo News : Kobans inspired from Japan in Belgian streets
Schaerbeek, with 110,000 inhabitants, is the second most populous municipality of the Brussels Capital Region after Brussels City. This north-eastern district also has one of the highest percentage of foreigners in the country, especially Moroccans and Turks. Crime and racial tensions are much higher there than in most other Belgian municipalities, so something had to be done to tackle it. The authorities have decided to install mini police stations, holding one or a few police officers, in strategic locations near stations, schools and markets, where a lot of peopl gather, so as to be able to respond more quickly in case of problem.
Schaerbeek, with 110,000 inhabitants, is the second most populous municipality of the Brussels Capital Region after Brussels City. This north-eastern district also has one of the highest percentage of foreigners in the country, especially Moroccans and Turks. Crime and racial tensions are much higher there than in most other Belgian municipalities, so something had to be done to tackle it. The authorities have decided to install mini police stations, holding one or a few police officers, in strategic locations near stations, schools and markets, where a lot of peopl gather, so as to be able to respond more quickly in case of problem.