With the rise of threats such as terrorism, the focus on public safety has increased significantly.
While the Ghent Winter Festivities should herald a period of festive joy and togetherness, the question arises whether security measures in Ghent are sufficient, especially in light of the ongoing terrorist threat in Europe. Despite increased police vigilance, worrying gaps in the event's security remain.
Most disturbing is our observation of vehicles still pushing their way through crowds of people. The image of a lost motorist maneuvering through the crowds in the city center of Ghent is not only alarming but also unacceptable. These situations immediately bring back memories of tragic incidents at European Christmas markets, where vehicles were used as a means of attacks, with catastrophic consequences.
It is incomprehensible that in a city like Ghent, while there is a terror threat level, vehicles, including taxis and pizza delivery scooters, drive around unhindered in areas densely populated with Winter Festival visitors. This shows a worrying discrepancy between theoretical safety requirements and their practical implementation.
In Ghent, this challenge is particularly relevant during events such as the Winter Festivities. The historic city center, with its narrow streets and open squares, is ideally suited for pedestrians, but also poses a challenge for maintaining safety.
Although the threat level is two for Christmas markets and end-of-year events, it is evident that current security measures are insufficient to address the specific risks that these events pose. Using concrete blocks to close off certain parts of the city to traffic is a step in the right direction, but this measure loses its effectiveness if other busy areas are left unprotected and disrupted by trams, stray cars, scooters and taxis.
striking
The contrasts between the safety measures during the Ghent Festivities and the Winter festivals are striking. During the Ghent Festivities there seems to be stricter enforcement of traffic restrictions, while during the Winter Festivities such precautions seem less evident. This lack of consistency in safety measures raises questions about the city's priorities when it comes to ensuring the safety of its citizens and visitors during major events.
These safety issues underline an urgent need for a review of safety protocols during major public events in Ghent. Incidents such as those in Nice and Berlin, where vehicles were used to carry out attacks on crowds, have caused cities around the world to consider how to prevent such tragedies.
