Münster’s station district stands for change, diversity – and challenges. More and more people report feeling unsafe: neglected streets, conspicuous groups, rising vandalism, harassment. Many businesses, owners and residents ask: who takes responsibility?
Images: ISG Bahnhofsviertel Münster e.V. and AEGIS Protect GmbH & Co. KG
Münster’s station district – a central location with high footfall, historic significance and economic potential – has in recent years increasingly become a security risk for residents, passers-by and businesses.
According to official crime statistics, almost 50% of all violent offences in the city of Münster recently occurred around the station. Knife offences rose by more than 37%; many crimes take place directly around shops, medical practices or hotels. The open drug scene, particularly at Bremer Platz, has expanded sharply – accompanied by crack use, violence, harassment, theft and neglect.
For many business owners the situation is no longer tolerable.
Shops employ door staff and detectives, hotels admit guests only with key cards, retailers report harassment, theft or frightened customers. Entire streets are avoided – not only by tourists, but by people from Münster as well.
This is where our concept comes in: a city patrol that is visible, de-escalates, deters and creates visible security. Together with committed people from the district we want to take responsibility – and send a clear signal through a jointly funded security model.
So that a sense of powerlessness can give way again to trust and quality of life. So that your customers, staff, visitors and you yourselves can move around the district gladly and safely. This project only succeeds together. Now is the time to act.
The city and police have responded: neighbourhood management, public-order officers, more checks. They too are reaching their limits. The number of hotspots, the high dynamics of the scene and heavy use of crack and other drugs confront security authorities and social services alike with enormous challenges.
Guests included Mayor Markus Lewe, Police President Ms Dorndorf, Münster’s mayoral candidates, representatives of the city and politics, local owners and businesses – all with a shared goal: to make the station district a safer and more liveable place for everyone.
And this is where our approach comes in: security does not begin with the police alone – it begins in the middle of society.
As a community of businesses, owners and investors, we have developed a concept that is not based on repression, but on presence, de-escalation and reliability:
A city patrol that is visibly on the move. That can be approached. That can intervene in an emergency.
What does that mean in practice?
This measure does not replace the police – but it completes the security net where authorities cannot be present at all times. It brings visible order into the district and relieves municipal authorities.
Graphic design for the redesign of Bremer Platz. © brandenfels landscape + environment
The situation will not improve by itself. Crime is rising, the sense of security is falling, and pressure on businesses, social facilities and housing is growing. If we act now, we can reverse the trend together.
On 7 July the annual summer festival of the Immobilien- und Standortgemeinschaft (ISG) Bahnhofsviertel Münster e.V. took place – this year with a clear thematic focus: security in the station district.
Guests included Mayor Markus Lewe, Police President Ms Dorndorf, Münster’s mayoral candidates, representatives of the city and politics, local owners and businesses – all with a shared goal: to make the station district a safer and more liveable place for everyone.
On 7 July the annual summer festival of the Immobilien- und Standortgemeinschaft (ISG) Bahnhofsviertel Münster e.V. took place – this year with a clear thematic focus: security in the station district.
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