The sense of security is to be increased at ZOB From now on, the police will be increasing their presence at ZOB Bottrop and the surrounding area, including the Ehrenpark, by deploying the Mobile Guard. Police President Friederike Zurhausen sees no abnormalities at the ZOB, but still relies on a strategy of feeling. “In addition to the development of crime, it is also important to me that people feel safe.”
The central bus station in Bottrop and the surrounding area, including the Ehrenpark, have been a particular focus of the city and the police for years. In addition to the daily presence of the security service and emergency services from the police station and the district and priority service, priority actions take place regularly. Increased traffic controls in the city area aimed at speeders, posers and the illegal tuning scene are also part of the increased police measures. The assignment takes place several times a week, with the focus on the midday and afternoon hours.
“Citizens feel safer when they perceive emergency services in the city area. That’s why the increased presence through the deployment of the mobile guard at the central bus station is an important signal for people,” says Zurhausen.
The time of the increased presence was chosen against the background that more people spend longer outdoors in spring with the higher temperatures. Past experience shows that the central bus station and the surrounding area are a magnet for many. The size of the vehicle alone makes the Mobile Guard a clearly perceptible indication of the presence of the police. The extensive technical equipment also includes the possibility of placing advertisements directly on site.
OPINION POLL
How do Bottroper see the increased presence of the police. Security or Surveillance? The STADTSPIEGEL asked.
“In my opinion, the last time I saw a police car in town was this morning at the Cyriakus Church, the presence strengthens my sense of security and I support this approach by the police,” says Kirsten Fringe. “I think the presence works as a preventative and there is also the possibility of us citizens addressing us directly. In addition, the police officers can intervene quickly if necessary.”
“It definitely makes me feel safer,” agrees Bettina Döblitz from the Galerie-7 art and literature studio. “The presence will definitely make things a little quieter in the area and the drug crimes, which often don’t even really take place in secret, will no longer start there in broad daylight. I’m definitely in favor of it.”
“I’m ambivalent: Of course, an increased police presence also creates increased security, but on the other hand I don’t really want to live in a city where everything is monitored at all times,” says Carsten Wilm.
Tanja Lobert sees it this way: “I’m usually only there during the day (editor’s note: around Berliner Platz) and I think it’s a great idea! Otherwise I always feel very uncomfortable there, I get it definitely help if the police are there.”
“It’s nice that we have so much free capacity in the police force that they can now take care of the subjective sense of security of the AfD and their ilk instead of real crime…”, says Sven Hermens. He is referring to a corresponding application by the AfD to strengthen the municipal security service, which is opposed to findings from the police statistics, according to which there are no crime hotspots there.
