Drug trafficking and its side effects are frustrating residents and local shop owners. The mayor echoed those feelings at the traditional “City Breakfast” meeting with members of the press. Polfer said “we feel let down by the authorities”.
The City Council feel that their demands to deal with the drug problem in Luxembourg City in a more sustainable way have fallen on deaf ears. Particularly drug abusers lounging and doing their business in building or shop entrances have left a profound sense of insecurity, particularly at night. The list of grievances that locals have is indeed long.
Polfer stressed that not enough has been done by the government to support the City council. Last summer police was promised more resources to do away with squatters – some residents could reportedly not enter their homes anymore – but the problem persists. The City employed private security personnel out of “desperation”, Polfer says. It is “high time” that the government addresses the problems surrounding drug abuse and trafficking.
Polfer also said that local residents approve of private security personnel patrolling the streets. These patrols have been carried out since December.
The mayor also expressed her disappointment regarding the “polemic” that such patrols have elicited. According to Polfer, only a joint cooperation between law enforcement agencies, charities and health services could deal with problems related to drugs in the most sustainable way. Private security firms, bar an increased police presence, are part of the solution, so Polfer’s rationale goes.
She is calling for the police to be given the powers to remove squatters. She would also like to convene another citizens’ meeting to ask residents what they think regarding the issues at hand. Such meetings have been suspended due to the pandemic. The City council will instead carry out a poll amongst residents.
Bus operated by the Ville de Luxembourg will be fitted with security cameras. Patrick Goldschmidt, the councillor in charge, stressed that these were not intended as surveillance cameras but as “protection cameras”. Footage will only be analysed if there had been an incident. However, he did not say for how long such data will be stored.
Furthermore, construction at the Place de Paris are scheduled to be finished by 23rd June, Luxembourg’s national holiday. Starting on Thursday, construction works will be expanded and intensified, which will trigger some road closures. Amongst others, the rue Zitha will be closed for traffic. For more details please consult vdl.lu.
