The Police's 'secrets' almost all revealed

OPEN HOUSE BRUSSELS/IXELLES POLICE STATION The 'secrets' of the police almost all revealed The sun was out, but there were fewer curious visitors than one might have thought. What a shame. Because they probably speak best of it, police officers from the Brussels Capital Ixelles zone opened the doors of their police stations this Saturday, for the public. The particularly numerous activities did not, however, attract crowds, as the weekend program was already quite busy. It was indeed difficult to choose between the Jazz Marathon, free for the first time, Evere my discovery, or the annual opening of Tervueren Avenue. Whatever the case, the police officers from the zone were present to welcome you and answer your questions: shooting range, K9 unit, traffic, technoprevention services, children's traffic park, skill course, exhibitions and information about the profession in one of the three police stations in Laeken, Brussels City, and Ixelles. On Rue des Palais, it was the motorcyclists who caused a sensation, balancing on their machines, performing figures, 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 switchboard, a 1962 model police bicycle next to a slightly more flashy current bike, and finally a notice dating from 1914 inviting motorists to respect the maximum speed limit in urban areas of 15 km/hour! "We have been organizing open days since 1999 and it's very positive," explains Danielle Kumps, police commissioner for the zone. "We show them what they fear most often, like breathalyzers, speed cameras (see box), or the roller-cops 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, embark 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, Principal Inspector Christian Temmerman had taken the opportunity to bring out about a hundred helmets and kepis from a personal collection rich in some 730 pieces displayed in his attic! A total of 168 countries represented: Namibia, Taiwan, Brazil, Switzerland, England, Australia or Zaire. "That one comes from the owner, "that's where they were made." Surprising. After the motorcyclists' demonstration, the roller-cops, equipped with helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads, took action. Four women, 10 men, all "volunteers, athletic 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 to supervise, every Friday, from 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 traveled Liedekerke-Bruges with colleagues." Late in the 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 captions] Featured on Rue des Palais, the acrobatic motorcyclists of the Brussels police. □ V. FROMONT DEMONSTRATION AT THE SHOOTING RANGE Speed cameras, a delicate subject that police officers wanted to clarify. □ V.FROMONT Handcuffs on a child, just for show. □ V.FROMONT [Focus] ROAD SAFETY 20,000 traffic tickets per year for speeding