How do I take these pants in?

I’m pretty amateur at sewing but I have a decent sewing machine. I got these pants on Depop and they’re just barely too big for me. Normally would be absolutely fine — but these pants don’t have a belt loop!

How can I make these pants just a little tighter? Like 1-1.5” would be perfect cause then I can wear em higher on my hips, but even 0.5” would help a lot.

It would be optimal to take it in on the main waist part, rather than that front flap. For example, if I wear the Velcro a little tighter (offset it a bit), it helps but then that front flap bulges out a bit.

The waist band is stretchy so I don’t really know how to deal with that.

Thank you!!