Concerns over police zone mergers have recently surfaced in Ninove, sparking debate about local law enforcement’s future. On 2025-06-26 18:10:00, city council member Stijn Vermassen (Vooruit) raised alarms about the impact of nearby police zone consolidations on Ninove’s own police force.
- Stijn Vermassen waarschuwt voor fusierisico's
- Fusiegesprekken tussen vijf politiezones lopen
- Samen bestrijken zones 200.000 inwoners
- Ninove telt 40.000 inwoners alleenstaand
- Risico op isolatie tussen grote zones
- Korps aantrekkelijker maken voor specialisten
Recent exploratory talks involved the police corps of Aalst, Denderleeuw, Haaltert, Lede, and Erpe-Mere, covering around 200,000 residents. Vermassen warned that with Ninove’s 40,000 inhabitants, the city risks becoming an isolated “island” surrounded by larger zones, potentially weakening its police department’s appeal to specialized personnel.
What does this mean for Ninove’s safety and police recruitment? The implications extend beyond administrative boundaries, prompting urgent questions about the city’s policing future.
Could Ninove maintain a competitive and effective police force amid these regional mergers? Vermassen’s concerns highlight key issues:
- Smaller police zones may struggle to offer career growth compared to larger merged zones.
- Isolation could reduce resource sharing and operational support.
- Recruitment and retention of specialized officers might decline.
- Community safety perceptions may be affected if local policing weakens.
As discussions continue, Ninove must explore solutions to strengthen its police corps and ensure public safety. Will the city find innovative ways to collaborate without losing its identity? Residents and officials alike should stay engaged in shaping the future of local law enforcement.
