Oostrozebeke Since a few months diving there are regular complaints about a group of ‘loitering’. Some residents no longer dare to the streets. It’s a group of 20 to 35 teenagers, who KXR calls. Jean-Pascal Salomez, the father of three boys, let them meet in his basement, but looking for a long-term solution. “They want to just have fun together,” he says.
The issue came to light when opposition party Participation.now they are on the most recent city council brought up. “We are getting signals from some of the people on the Ernest Brengierplein that after a certain hour no more on the street dare come out of fear of eye-to-eye with one of those young people are,” says councillor Marleen Lefebvre. “The municipality must in this case take responsibility.”
A father of three of the young people working currently on the group. “The label ‘hangjongere’ is overblown,” he says. “It comes to young people who like to congregate, listen to music, beatboxen, and have fun. They call themselves KXR and mirror the American rapcultuur, but they have nothing bad in the meaning. They are at some searching and found nowhere a place to come together. They gather in the hall of community centre Mandelroos or in the open air, where they are seen by some as a nuisance to be experienced.”
To give them what structure has to offer, Jean-Pascale them shelter at his home. “They will be my basement as a clubhouse. Only is that much too small and is only a short-term solution,” he continues. “I would love to have that in the church there is a leadership role in plays and them not going to demonize, but it just helps. They can at their age can easily derail, if they do not have the proper guidance.”
Shelter
“Therefore I launch a call to the municipality or associations with the question of whether that can host them. I want them there as controller, feel free to guide. I’ve also been in contact with organisations such as the building up of society Roeselare and From the Margins, young people in vulnerable situations guides. They will me assist.”
Harassing
Also the local police is aware of the problem. “We are a solution to the search, but that requires of course some time”, says Philippe Lavaert.
“Also, the Centre General Welfare work is informed, because there are young people with a difficult home situation. We know of some smaller offences such as vandalism, but for the rest it seems just that they are harassing can happen, while they have no bad intentions.” Mayor Luc Derudder don’t want any hasty decisions.
“This week I’m together with the young people to tell their story once to hear,” he responds. “Then I want with different agencies consult to see what the best solution is. Them just a the space, of course, can not. There are rules and I want to first reading. We are willing to help, but first want to enjoy the different possibilities list.” Who has a solution, Jean-Pascale reached via 0478/19.09.46.