Ninove has recently added three BINs (Neighborhood Watch) to its list. The city has gone from 15 to 18 Neighborhood Watch networks in just two months. The only municipality without a

BIN is Nederhasselt, and efforts are now underway to find suitable candidates.

A Neighborhood Watch (BIN) is a legally established collaboration between police services and local residents, allowing for the exchange of information. The purpose of a BIN is to increase the sense of security among citizens and improve the chances of apprehending offenders. For example, if the police are aware of a series of burglaries in a certain neighborhood, they can report it to a BIN, which can then keep a close watch. Residents can also notify BIN members if they notice anything suspicious.

In Ninove, the number of BINs has recently increased from 15 to 18. However, Nederhasselt is still without one. "It's unfortunate that one municipality is still missing a BIN," says acting mayor Marc Torrekens (Open VLD). "We hope that changes soon, so that Neighborhood Watch networks cover our entire area. Such information networks can be beneficial not only in Ninove but also in every municipality."

The search for BIN candidates is now underway. "First, we are looking for a coordinator who can oversee everything and inspire people to join the initiative. Any citizen can apply. It is entirely cost-free, and no special training is required," concludes Torrekens.