The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI strengthening its capacity with the swearing-in of eight Extraordinary Police BavPol (see Tuesday newspaper) is a positive development. They have been empowered to support control actions and the issuing of fines.
This enhances the ministry's ability to follow up on violations with more immediate consequences. The latter is very important, because without such people too often get away with it.
While warning letters were issued by VROMI, the newly certified officers now have greater authority. They can prepare reports to be submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office and used in court proceedings, significantly expanding the ministry's enforcement toolkit.
In general, the impression exists that many fines remain unpaid, sometimes for years. This obviously makes them a far less effective deterrent.
Enabling government officials to take punitive action themselves makes the approach more direct. It facilitates swiftly holding those responsible truly accountable in cases of – for example – environmental offences.
As for improving collection, stopping people with outstanding fines at the airport when they want to leave the country is one option already applied in various countries. It only targets those travelling abroad, of course, but that’s at least something.
