Aachen's new concept against begging: strengthen security and social work!

Aachen's new concept against begging: strengthen security and social work!

In Aachen there is a comprehensive realignment of the urban security and attractiveness strategy. On Wednesday evening, October 9, the city council of the city of Aachen gave the green light for the integrated concept for attractiveness and security (IKAS) in a meeting. This decision is followed by recommendations from the Citizens' Forum and various committees, which reacted to the challenges of the city that had become clear since Corona pandemic.

The concept aims to be able to approach the increasingly problematic phenomena in the city center, such as aggressive begging and open drug use. The most affected places include Kaiserplatz, the Bushof and parts of the pedestrian zone. The reports on drug crime and illegal prostitution that burden the residents and visitors to the city are particularly worrying.

regulatory measures in the focus

One of the central elements of the Ikas includes a reform of the street regulation, which is based on the regulation in the Swiss canton of Basel-Stadt. Here, a ban on begging in the immediate vicinity is suggested to heavily frequented places such as restaurants and public transport. This measure is intended to help defuse the situation without fundamentally questioning the right to begging. Among other things, the regulation stipulates that no begging is no longer allowed in a five-meter radius about specific facilities. Additional restrictions are already available for begging with children or aggressive behavior.

The city of Aachen emphasizes that despite these changes, there are still enough options for people who beg. The focus here is to worry about an appropriate balance between public safety and the right of begging. Accompanying the adjustment of the street regulation, closer cooperation between the city administration and the police are planned to actively act against drug crime.

Furthermore, a focus is also on improving road social work: two additional social workers: Inside, the contact points for those seeking help should multiply and the communication between help offers and those affected. A new coordination office is created to network the existing resources more specifically.

upgrading the public space

In addition to the regulatory approaches, the concept also provides for the need to improve the appearance of the city center. This includes the creation of more green areas and the provision of new play and relaxation areas in highly frequented zones. Mobile benches are said to serve as a retreat for homeless and other vulnerable groups in particular on Kaiserplatz. In order to increase the feeling of well -being in the city, it is also thought of better lighting and a potential sound exploration of anxiety with classical music.

an information campaign entitled "Help - but right!" is also part of the initiative which support options for homeless people show. The introduction of an "Aachen Talers" is also discussed, which is considered an alternative payment method for goods of daily needs. This measure could be sustainable support for affected people and at the same time help to offer targeted help.

The comprehensive strategy will be further worked out by the administration in the coming weeks. Overall, the Ika's concept is an ambitious attempt to tackle the challenges of the city of Aachen and at the same time meet the needs of all citizens. Detailed information is also available in the City of Aachen's Council Information System. For more information, See the current reporting on www.aachen.de .