Belgium invests $30 million in police surveillance camera expansion

Belgium's federal government is spending close to $30 million to expand and modernize police-operated surveillance camera systems across the country. The substantial funding boost, reported by VRT news on Tuesday, is part of a strategy to enhance security, with a focus on combating drug crime in urban centers like Brussels and Antwerp.

Funding distribution for major cities

A large portion of the investment, approximately $17.6 million, is directed to the capital Brussels and the port city of Antwerp, which will each receive $8.8 million. Other cities including Ghent, Liege, Namur, Charleroi, and Mons are also allocated significant sums, with the remaining funds distributed to other police zones based on the size of their forces.

Integration with existing security systems

The newly deployed cameras will not operate in isolation. They are set to be linked to Belgium's current Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) network. This integration will allow all regional police zones to access and share data seamlessly, creating a more unified national surveillance framework. The government is concurrently developing a new analytical tool to speed up the detection of vehicles linked to criminal activity.

Official rationale for the investment

Interior Minister Bernard Quintin framed the surveillance expansion as essential for modern policing. "Cameras are the eyes of our law enforcement agencies. They make it possible to record incidents linked to insecurity and collect crucial data," he was quoted as saying. The total allocation ultimately exceeded initial plans by $5.9 million, underscoring the project's priority for Belgian authorities as they address public security concerns.