Molenbeek (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Acting Molenbeek mayor Saliha Raiss (Vooruit) urges stronger federal action after a shooting on Waterpasstraat. She and Jef Van Damme want lasting safety plans against Brussels’ drug violence.
As GVA News reported, Saliha Raiss, acting mayor of Molenbeek and member of Vooruit, is asking the federal government for stronger help against drug violence in Brussels. She spoke out after a shooting on Waterpasstraat, where 3 people fired shots at each other on Wednesday, Aug 6, 2025.
Police and local staff are now watching certain streets more closely. Extra officers, guards, and mobile teams are on the ground. But Raiss says this is not enough. She believes the problem runs deep and needs more than quick actions. She wants lasting support from the federal level. Raiss says the people of Molenbeek should not be left to deal with this alone.
“These incidents aren’t isolated events: they’re interconnected and spread from one neighbourhood to another. What begins in Anderlecht ends in Molenbeek,”
Raiss denounces.
What is the Federal Government’s plan to end drug violence in Brussels?
Saliha Raiss says the federal government is not doing enough to stop drug violence in Brussels. She thinks short-term help and one-time actions are not working. She says they will not stop the criminal groups behind the violence.
“Brussels deserves better. Molenbeek deserves better,”
she said.
Raiss says more police are needed, but also more help for young people and schools. She wants the city and the federal government to work together. She says problems like poverty and youth crime must be tackled at the root. Raiss warns that the violence will grow if nothing is done.
“The violence continues in Anderlecht as well,”
Comer agrees.
“That remains particularly frightening for residents and for those who work in Anderlecht.”
Saliha Raiss, acting mayor of Molenbeek, and Jef Van Damme from Comer want the federal government to do more to stop drug violence in Brussels. They ask for better teamwork between the region and the federal level. They say the plan should not only focus on arrests but also on prevention and long-term safety.
Raiss and Van Damme think working alone will not solve the problem. They believe that bringing all 6 Brussels police zones together would help the police act faster and better. But they also want clear answers from the federal government about when this change will happen.
The office of Interior Minister Bernard Quintin says the federal government has been working for months to fight drug violence in Brussels. His spokesperson, Olivier Schotte, says local police now get help from federal brigades. The federal judicial police have also been strengthened to handle violent cases faster.
Schotte says this plan is working, with more arrests and better progress in investigations. He says federal and local police meet often to share information and plan together. But he also says these actions must be part of a bigger and long-term plan to fully stop drug crime in the city.
Comments
10 responses to “Saliha Raiss Calls for Federal Assistance Following Molenbeek Shooting”
Oh, brilliant! Because clearly, throwing more officers at the problem is the magic solution. Who knew that *actual* community support and long-term strategies were just a fancy bonus? 😏💼
Oh, brilliant! Because clearly just *more* police and *better teamwork* are the magic solutions to a mess that’s been brewing for ages. Next, they’ll be asking for a sprinkle of fairy dust to fix it all! 🧚♂️💼
Seems like Saliha Raiss thinks asking the feds for help is the magic spell to turn Molenbeek into a peaceful paradise. Good luck with that; maybe they’ll finally discover that crime doesn’t actually take a holiday! 🤷♂️
So, Molenbeek’s mayor thinks a few extra cops will solve the drug violence problem? Brilliant strategy, why not just throw in a couple of streetlights and call it a night? 😏
Isn’t it charming how the acting mayor is suddenly a fan of federal support after a shooting? Must be a new trend in Molenbeek fashion – “Let’s wear our troubles like a badge and hope for a handout!” 😏💼
Oh sure, because a few extra police on the streets is definitely going to turn Molenbeek into a peaceful utopia overnight. Maybe we should just throw in a couple of fairy godmothers while we’re at it! 🧚♂️💸
Oh, brilliant! Because asking for more help when the situation is as clear as mud always works wonders, doesn’t it? 🤔 Let’s just throw in a few more officers and hope the criminals take a tea break.
Oh, brilliant! Because nothing screams “safety” like asking the federal government to finally wake up and smell the gunpowder. Can’t wait to see their “lasting plans” – perhaps a nice 5-year plan with a side of paperwork? 😂
Oh, sure, because throwing more officers at the problem has worked so well in the past, hasn’t it? Maybe next they’ll suggest a friendly chat with the criminals over a nice cup of coffee. ☕️🤷♂️
Looks like Molenbeek’s got itself a real life “who’s who” of shooting stars! 🤦♂️ Maybe if we throw a few more officers at the problem, they’ll magically disappear—like my hopes of getting a decent cuppa in this town! 🍵
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