Police violence in St. Pauli: Citizens defend themselves against racial profiling!

Police violence in St. Pauli: Citizens defend themselves against racial profiling!

In St. Pauli, once proudly celebrated as a cultural center, there are increasing voices of concern about the security concept of the Hamburg police. The neighborhood has been declared a “dangerous place” since 2016, which has a crucial impact on the lives of residents. Numerous complaints about police violence and racial profiling, particularly against black people, are making the rounds. In a frightening report, the police documented over 10,000 checks between April and June 2023. Nevertheless, the population remains uncertain about what the situation actually is. That's what she reports taz that the constant police presence fuels fear and uncertainty among residents.

In the past year there have been several incidents in which the police intervened with weapons drawn. These frightening situations, such as the case of a black person who was taken to the ground and restrained by plainclothes officers in August, have raised eyebrows. In addition, police violence is examined critically, especially in light of the case of Lorenz A., who was fatally injured in April. The campaign “St. Pauli for everyone! – without discrimination, expulsion and police violence” has joined forces with around 60 district stakeholders and is calling for an end to the high police presence. The alliance's spokesman, Steffen Jörg, expressed serious concerns about the conditions and calls for a safe St. Pauli for everyone, in which the abolition of the drug task force and the special police zones are the priority.

Growing criticism and demands

But the police vehemently reject the allegations of racial profiling. She emphasizes that her measures are taken on an occasion- and situation-related basis. According to the police, origin and skin color are not criteria for their actions. Despite these assurances, critics argue that the police presence does not help create security, but rather spreads fear and uncertainty. Moana Kahrmann from a research project draws attention to the police's responsibility to ensure everyone's safety. An evaluation published by the Left Party also shows: Of the almost 370,000 checks since the drug task force was introduced, only 0.5% of the cases resulted in arrest warrants.

The city invested over 1.4 million police hours in the drug task force, which cost taxpayers a total of almost 95 million euros. But the police's promises don't seem to be working. It’s time for residents to fight for change. The need for action is clearly visible. The voices calling for an end to discrimination and violence by police forces are becoming louder and louder. An end to the special zones and racist measures by the police is called for in order to restore harmonious coexistence in the neighborhood.

A look into the past and the future

The problem of racial profiling is not new and has been discussed again and again by various experts. A study on racial profiling shows the far-reaching psychosocial consequences of racist police violence. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education This institutional racism could cause long-term social damage. The demand for a reform of police work for the benefit of all residents remains explosive.

St. Pauli is therefore at a point where the voices of the population must be heard. Safety and respect for everyone must be the focus in order to ensure peaceful coexistence.