Raised fences, camera surveillance and ID checks: After violent incidents, Berlin’s outdoor pools are relying on a security concept worth millions this season. Some employees still have an uneasy feeling.
At 10 a.m., many swimmers are already doing their laps in the main pool of the Berlin summer pool Wilmersdorf. The new season has begun. It’s 15 degrees outside and a pleasant 23 degrees in the water.
Wilhelm Hopfgartner is getting dressed again on a bench next to the pool. He has just completed his swimming program and has been coming regularly for four years: “But only in the morning, so never when it’s really crowded.” He wants to avoid the stress, as he says. And so every visit feels “like a short vacation from the city,” he says.
Holiday feeling and Berlin outdoor pools – these two words have become less and less compatible in recent years for many Berliners. There have been too many riots, fights, overcrowded bathrooms and negative headlines in recent years. Violent incidents were sometimes part of everyday life.
2.5 million euros for security measures
A white tent was set up just a few meters from the pool. The Berliner Bäder-Betriebe (BBB) has invited people to the press conference and wants to ring in the new season. In addition to the BBB board chairman, Johannes Kleinsorg, Berlin’s Interior Senator Iris Spranger from the SPD also appeared. And her opening speech quickly turns to the topic of safety in Berlin’s pools.
Spranger reports: “Last year we had to intervene very massively. We spent a total of 2.5 million euros on security measures.” The SPD politician promises that the same amount will be available again this year.
The money is intended, among other things, to finance security personnel. This is intended to contain and de-escalate tumults involving mostly teenagers and young men as much as possible. Today there are only two security guards at the entrance to the pool. In the main season there should be up to 20 thanks to the amount provided. Because: “Safety in outdoor swimming pools simply has to be guaranteed,” emphasizes Spranger.
Capacity utilization of the pools should be visible online
But in addition to the new million-dollar sum, there are also further measures this year. And one thing is new: a traffic light will be introduced that shows on the homepage how busy a pool is. When it’s red, no one can get in anymore. This is intended to provide better and more transparent information. In the past there have been conflicts and riots because pools suddenly had to be closed due to overcrowding and many suddenly found themselves in front of a pool with no entry.
One of the main goals of the season is to get better overall control over pool utilization. To achieve this, the swimming pool companies are now increasingly relying on digital. For the first time, all tickets can also be purchased online, ten percent cheaper. The online tickets are personalized and non-transferable.
Video surveillance at entrances
But that wasn’t it with the security measures. This year there is again the controversial ID requirement upon entry, which was introduced last year. It applies to all guests aged 14 and over who must show either ID, driving license or another document.
This should make it possible to effectively impose house bans in the event of violations. Video surveillance at the entrances to certain pools is also intended to help and will remain in place so that troublemakers can be identified afterwards. In addition, the fences in several pools were raised to prevent visitors from bypassing the cash registers. And on particularly hot days, police officers are positioned directly at the entrance to the pool.
Holiday feeling despite measures
Despite these measures, the Berlin bathing experience should not feel “like a visit to a high-security area,” promises Spranger. A visit to a swimming pool offers people who live in a big city an important opportunity to relax and spend their free time. That is also important to her, said the Interior Senator.
And despite the safety discussions in advance, employees are also looking forward to the new season, assures the head of the Berlin pools: “They are going into this summer season with passion. Even if there are still one or two uneasy feelings: we have increased the training “We introduced psychological counseling and held joint team days with police and security personnel.”