County mayor insists on boosting law enforcement numbers to crack down on drug dealers and associates.
In a turn of events, the "uncertain barrel incident" apparently stirred up a focus on policing around Neuss City Hall on March 14, with no prior consultation with the city amidst Petrauschke's publicity stunt. The city chief remarked, "This evidently appeared contrived to divert attention from the district administrator's less-than-stellar performance evaluations based on crime statistics."
In a letter to Petrauschke, Breuer expressed his dissatisfaction, advocating for substantial intensification in the battle against drug crime. He points to the five new positions added to the communal service and public order department (KSOD) as evidence of his commitment. Interestingly enough, the KSOD staff count swelled from eight to 25 during Breuer's tenure.
To further emphasize his point, Breuer suggested heightened vigilance in areas like the city hall, Rhineland Theatre, and Rheintorstraße. Speaking of increased police presence, Breuer invited the idea of spotlighting these areas even more during non-daytime hours when public watchfulness is minimal.
The joint contact point of the police and KSOD on Krefelder Straße, open merely from Monday to Saturday from 10 to 2 p.m., contradicts expectations for more vigilance during evening and night hours, according to Breuer.
Petrauschke clarified to our inquiry that the March 14 operation was indeed a police focus deployment, although some of these can't always be coordinated in advance due to tactical reasons. Joint deployment plans with the city of Neuss are currently under discussion. Emphasizing a holistic approach to drug issues and homelessness, Petrauschke insists, "Through collaboration and mutual understanding of these social issues, we can achieve long-term improvements."
Since 2022, his administration has refocused efforts around the city hall to mitigate drug crime—an effort that has shown results with a decrease in drug-related offenses. The police remain active in the evening and night hours within the areas of focus, ready to assist citizens.
As for urgent updates, Petrauschke plans to review and assess the current opening hours of the joint contact point in collaboration with KSOD and the police headquarters following the one-year trial period, which concludes in June 2025. Citizens yearn for swifter action, particularly during night hours, when they often feel insecure, especially around the station...
...In such situations, law enforcement typically takes several steps to boost presence— like intensified patrols, community outreach, and technological support such as CCTV. However, for precise information regarding Neuss City Hall, it's advisable to get in touch with the local authorities or closely monitor local news sources.
Breuer suggested an intensification of the fight against drug crime, particularly in areas like the city hall, Rhineland Theatre, and Rheintorstraße, and advocated for increased police presence during non-daytime hours when public watchfulness is minimal. The general-news focus on the "uncertain barrel incident" in Neuss City Hall seems to have diverted attention from other areas, such as politics and crime-and-justice, where the city's performance could also be scrutinized.
