Saint Michael is watching over us!

BRUSSELS/IXELLES POLICE STATION OPEN DOORS Saint Michael is watching over us! The patron saint of police officers did his best, but the crowds were elsewhere. Because they probably talk about it best, the police officers of the Brussels Capital Ixelles zone opened the doors of their police stations this Saturday for the public. The particularly numerous activities, however, did not attract the crowds, as the weekend's program was already rather busy. It was indeed difficult to choose between the Jazz Marathon, free for the first time, Evere ma découverte, or the annual opening of Avenue de Tervueren. Be that as it may, the zone's police officers were there to welcome you and answer your questions: firing range, canine brigade, traffic, techno-prevention services, children's traffic park, skill course, exhibitions and information on the profession in one of the three police stations in Laeken, Brussels-city, and Ixelles. Rue des Palais, the motorcyclists caused a sensation, balancing on their machines, performing tricks, slaloming between tires, or gathered in a pyramid, under the impressed gaze of the youngest and even the older spectators. On the 2nd floor of the police station, an exhibition of uniforms, archive photos from 1956, Morse code devices, an 80s telephone table, a 1962 model police bicycle next to a slightly more flashy current bike, finally a notice from 1914 inviting motorists to respect the maximum speed in built-up areas of 15 km/hour! "We have been organizing open doors since 1999 and it's very positive," explains Danielle Kumps, police commissioner of the zone. "We show people things they most often fear, such as breathalyzers, speed cameras (see box), or the rollercops unit, and they take the time to listen to our explanations." Not being afraid to cross the threshold of a police station and, why not, embarking on the profession, was also one of the objectives of the operation. Next to a display case presenting the commissioner's private collection, three shelves of small figurines, miniature police officers from all countries, Chief Inspector Christian Temmerman took the opportunity to bring out about a hundred helmets and kepis from a personal collection rich with some 730 pieces displayed in his attic! A total of 168 countries represented: Namibia, Taiwan, Brazil, Switzerland, England, Australia, or Zaire, "that one actually comes from Rue du Midi!" smiles the owner, "that's where they were made!" Surprising. After the motorcyclists' demonstration, the rollercops, equipped with helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads, went into action. Four women, 10 men, all "volunteers, sporty, and very motivated" specifies Sandra, from the foot patrol. "After about ten hours of training, we are able to ensure the security of the Bois de la Cambre during weekends and supervise, every Friday, starting June 4 and throughout the summer, the Rollerparade (departure at 8 pm Place Poelaert)." She continues: "During the week, we are assigned to other divisions. The atmosphere is excellent, we just did the Liedekerke-Bruges route with colleagues, 90 kilometers on rollerblades!" Finally, in the late afternoon, little Julien, who came with his dad, left proud to have escaped the handcuffs, without even needing the keys. As for Servet, 10 years old, he is sure now, when he grows up, he will be a police officer! [Photo caption] Speed cameras to limit speed, speed cameras to avoid an outcome that could be fatal [Box] ROAD SAFETY Thomas, 6 years old. Forever. No one could have missed this painful slogan present on most roads. And it is to contribute to this campaign that a stand dedicated to speed cameras and speed limits was open to the public on Saturday. We note the unfamiliarity with the blue sign "road for motor vehicles" which prohibits slow vehicles, mopeds, and pedestrians, without, however, increasing the authorized speed limit. It therefore remains 50 in tunnels, 70 if expressly indicated. And for speed cameras? "The V80 system allows motorists to set the limit themselves: 'out of 600 vehicles controlled, we take 100 speeds. The 21st in descending order becomes the threshold above which one is in violation'" explains Inspector Kockelmans. "Thus, we opt for 80% prevention, 20% repression. I encourage reporting all speed cameras to encourage people to slow down."