Security discussion in Aalen: Focus on video surveillance and alcohol ban!

Security discussion in Aalen: Focus on video surveillance and alcohol ban!

In a current meeting of the local council committee for culture, education and finance (KBFA) in Aalen, essential measures were discussed to improve the perceived security. The focus was particularly on the central bus station (ZOB), the station forecourt and adjacent underpasses, which were identified as problem areas. The mayor Bernd Schwarzendorfer emphasized the need to increase objective security in Aalen, and made comparisons to other cities. Among the measures discussed were an alcohol consumption ban and the introduction of video surveillance.

The city administration has already reacted with the introduction of the municipal regulatory service (KOD) to respond to security concerns. Further targeted measures are to be presented in the coming autumn. James Smith, the head of the Aalen police station, informed about a decline in crimes in public spaces in 2024, but expressed the fear that an increase could occur in 2025.

discussion about security strategies

In the meeting, several committee members spoke up. Thomas Wagenblast from the CDU called for urban changes such as improved lighting and approved the testing of the alcohol ban. Bennet Müller of the Greens expressed concerns about the ban on alcohol and also supported the exam. Hermann Schludi from the SPD and Franz Fetzer from the free voters emphasized the need to discuss the reasons for the lack of video surveillance.

Mayor Frederick Brütting pointed out that other cities were able to implement measures such as video surveillance due to a higher crime burden. In addition, there was a controversial discussion when AfD parliamentary group leader Andreas Lachnit announced his views on the illegal migration, which were rejected by Brütting and other committee members. Ultimately, however, the committee did not recommend a recommendation, but decided to take up the suggestions in a revised session template.

handling of the number of unreported cases and crime

According to a Study of the city administration is another aspect on the subject of security, the dark field, i.e. not reported crimes. The reasons for this number of unreported cases are diverse: fear of the perpetrator, shame or uncertainties about the legal status can cause crimes not to be reported. The aim of criminological dark field research is to identify these incidents that have not been recorded and thus gain a better understanding of the distribution of crime in society.

research results are essential to design targeted police measures and effectively use resources for crime reduction and victim protection. As part of projects for future security in urban rooms, such findings are used to make cities more secure. Initiatives such as "Divercity" and "Siba" specifically aim at security and crime prevention in urban quarters. These projects, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, underline the endeavor to develop a comprehensive strategy to improve the security situation in cities, so that the perceived security of the citizens is also strengthened.