They have been on the streets of Poing for four years, and in Vaterstetten for two years: the security guard, consisting of citizens who do their rounds in the communities on a voluntary basis and are intended to ensure more security. Because members of the security guard will soon be retiring in both communities, the Poing Police Inspectorate is now looking for new emergency services.
While in Poing only one volunteer is leaving because he has reached the age limit of 67, four security guards are absent in Vaterstetten. The reasons for this are career changes, studies or because they are too involved in another voluntary position, says Daniel Schubert, the new head of the Poing police station, to the SZ.
“So far we have received two applications for Poing and two applications for Vaterstetten, which are still being examined,” says Schubert, “and we are still looking.” In a selection interview, the background for the application should be examined. “We don’t want block wardens,” emphasizes Daniel Schubert, “but citizens who want to make their contribution to public safety.”
After the successful application, forty teaching units are held on legal matters or community statutes. “With the support of other departments” the Poing Police Inspectorate wants to do this together.
Applicants must be at least 18 and no more than 67 years old and be able to communicate fluently in German. The members of the security guard have to make their rounds in their area of operation at least five hours a month, but seven or eight is better, according to the police chief. Originally, an upper limit of six volunteers was set for Vaterstetten, but they now want to deviate from that, says Schubert: “More is better.”
The task of the security guard is, for example, to patrol the areas of the municipality where the citizens would like more presence, for example in public parks, playgrounds or in housing estates. In return, it is given powers such as issuing evictions or carrying out identity checks. The volunteers are equipped with a cap and outerwear that identify them as security guards. For their work, they receive eight euros per hour as a flat-rate volunteer fee.
Interested parties can contact the Poing Police Inspectorate on (08121) 99 17 0 or by email at [email protected].