Debate for security in the Berlin outdoor pool: Young men enforce their own rules

Debate for security in the Berlin outdoor pool: Young men enforce their own rules

Berlin is again the focus of a heated debate about the conditions in the outdoor pools. In several baths in the capital, young men have occurred in the past few weeks who do not adhere to the rules and threaten the staff. The summer pool Neukölln, also called Columbiabad, is particularly affected. Due to the incidents, the bathroom had to be closed temporarily.

A fire letter dated June 13, which has only now become public, reveals the unreasonable conditions with which the employees of the bath are confronted. The house rules are deliberately disregarded and there are verbal violence and mobbing. Women, minorities, transpers and queer people in particular are threatened. According to the Berlin “Tagesspiegel”, there was even a sexual assault on a young woman.

It is particularly problematic that the staff, including many people with a migration background, are terrorized mentally. The security guards are overwhelmed and could not enforce their house ban. Criminal charges could also not be made due to inadequate language skills.

The employees of the bathroom have clear demands: they want to have only families with children during the main bathing time. You also want online tickets with the name, better qualified security personnel and permanent police presence in the bathrooms.

The debate about security in Berlin's bathrooms has now also reached federal politics. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) emphasizes that the rule of law must act against violence in public swimming pools, also by police presence. However, the Berlin police are holding back and emphasizes that the bathing companies and the districts are responsible for safety in the bathrooms. Benjamin Jendro, Berlin spokesman for the police union (GdP), suggests introducing admission quotas, professional security services, pocket controls and alcohol bans to ensure safety in the pools.

It remains to be seen how the debate about security in Berlin's outdoor pools continues and what measures are taken to improve the situation.