So far it’s just a push. Police Inspectorate 45, active in the districts of Pasing-Obermenzing and Aubing-Lochhausen-Langwied, is considering setting up a security guard in its area of responsibility. Not because it would be particularly dangerous there. On the contrary – in Aubing-Lochhausen-Langwied, the crime rate is 40 percent below the Munich average, according to Deputy Head of Department Jakob Siebentritt. And in Pasing it’s still 20 percent less. “But,” explains the deputy chief responsible for fighting crime, “there is also the subjective feeling of security.” A lot is changing in the West, especially with the settlement of Freiham. “And we as the police simply cannot meet the demand to be on site everywhere at the garden fence.” A guard, on the other hand, is able to take on this task.
Since the security guard was introduced in Bavaria in 1994, there have been repeated efforts to improve security by expanding this volunteer network trained by police officers. Also in Munich: In the state capital, the inspections in Schwabing, Sendling, Perlach, Neuhausen, Milbertshofen and Olympiapark already have such volunteer supporters. In mid-February at Schwanthalerhöhe, the introduction of “moving emergency telephones” is being discussed, for example for patrols along the Bavariapark, Georg-Freundorferplatz and Gollierplatz axis. The committee chairwoman Sibylle Stöhr (Greens) expects debates along the known standpoints of the parties, but is critical herself: “We solve our conflicts differently in the district.”
When the security guards were introduced in Munich districts, there were mostly controversial debates about the volunteer patrols vilified as “block wardens” or “deputy sheriffs”, sometimes even disputes. The experiences are nevertheless “positive”, says Marc Aigner from the police press office: Because the security guards are on foot, they can easily be approached. Subjectively, it increases people’s sense of security. However, colleagues could also take preventive action in the event of minor security disruptions.
The police expect the volunteers to have a deterrent effect
Security guards wear uniforms and are equipped with a walkie-talkie, flashlight, first-aid kit and pepper spray. The teams maintain contact with the police and thus ensure that professional help can be provided quickly and in a targeted manner in emergencies or dangerous situations. But that’s all, the police emphasize: The security guard complements the police work by increasing their presence in public spaces. However, it is not a substitute for the police and should not be. Siebentret could therefore imagine that members of a possible security guard in the area of PI 45 in residential areas such as Langwied, Lochhausen or Obermenzing would try to prevent break-ins. “We expect it to have a deterrent effect.” Or that they were present at the Aubinger Herbstfest, at events in the Blutenburg or at youth meeting places such as the Neuaubinger Gleisdreieck. Volunteers on patrol may also verify the identity of individuals and issue evictions.
However, Aubing’s Greens and SPD politicians are not convinced of the plan. They see the regulatory sovereignty of the police, consider an expense allowance for volunteers of eight euros per hour to be far too low and are also concerned about the safety of the volunteers. “What if difficult situations arise?” asked Robert Brenner (SPD) at the most recent meeting of the district committee, where Siebentret presented the concept. “What if people are affected who don’t have the kind of thorough training that police officers have?” He considers that “problematic”. Green politician Siegfried Liedl also fears that private individuals with character deficits could also apply.
Boris Schwartz (Greens), deputy chairman of the committee, also referred to the municipal field service, which is already successfully supporting the police. “These are people who are very well educated and are paid excellently.” Above all, emphasized Barbara Götz-Schubach (CSU), it is important that this approach does not focus on the monitoring aspect, but on the idea of cohesion. According to a flyer from the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior, the candidates are only appointed after personal selection interviews for service in the security guard, so as not to train would-be sheriffs and recreational rambos.
Aubing’s local politicians are divided on the question of an introduction
Moreover, if there is the slightest doubt that someone is suitable and reliable, the police can terminate the activity. In the area of the police headquarters in Munich, spokesman Marc Aigner confirms, “no cases have been reported to date in which the employees of the security guard wanted to take advantage of their function”. In the vote in the Aubinger district committee, eleven citizens’ representatives voted against the establishment of a security guard, ten – the CSU and two out of three members of the parliamentary group Freie Wahler/ÖDP – were in favor. In Pasing, the debate is still pending.
Ultimately, however, the decision as to whether a security guard should be introduced is made by the police – “even if the agreement with the district committees is of course important to us,” says Siebentritt. In the case of a “yes” for the security guard, implementation would definitely take some time. Applicants must first go through a 40-hour course. And it only happens once a year.