One does not have to be one of those who immediately report to a newly elected city government that they would rather act in a hurry than with the care their office deserves in order to be amazed, like the debate on the voluntary police service on Thursday evening in the Frankfurter City council has passed. But the question may well be raised as to whether the new coalition is aware of the differences between the tasks of the state police, the city police and the so-called auxiliary police. Apparently, however, it is easier to compare apples with oranges and to randomly throw everything together that says “Police” on it. In the end, a decision was made that was made purely for ideological reasons.
At least one should have been honest enough to say it.
At least to those who have been involved in the voluntary police service for years.
Mind you, in volunteering.
Some of them are retirees who want to spend their free time wisely.
Then there is the mother of four who wants her children to grow up in an orderly environment.
There is the student who is happy about the seven euro expense allowance.
And there is the engineer who at some point decided to get more involved in society.
No block waiting room
None of these are block attendants. But people who care about what happens around them. Instead, the volunteers had to find out that they were compared in the city council with Christmas geese, who were not asked what they thought of Christmas. It couldn't be more cynical.
All of this gives a deep insight, especially since the four parties of the new coalition have made it their business to pursue a policy for the citizen - “from the people”. That was not done here. Because the coalition did not understand that the voluntary police service was never intended to fight crime, but to ensure that it does not arise in the first place. Your "weapon" is the open ear and the watchful eye. Talking to residents and local retailers. This is not about serious crimes, but about the defective lantern light at the bus stop, disturbances of the peace and parked driveways. The information is passed on to the district.
If it is argued that fewer patrol hours were worked in the past year, the coalition must ask itself why.
During the pandemic, the helpers had to take a break.
The security officer at the state police could have found out about that.
Would she have asked.
In the end, the debate wasn't about content anyway.
It's about the packaging.
What if the volunteers were called “prevention workers” - without the “police”?
Then you would even have adorned yourself with it.