I would like to help strengthen the good relationships in our city of Neumünster. Where there are as yet no points of contact, I would also like to develop ideas for reviving our city center, the Renckspark and the Klosterinsel, in order to create new places for community.

I am convinced that in this way we, as citizens of this city, will be able to fight hatred, crime and also the feeling of being alone, lonely or forgotten. I would like to point out that our society and all its areas should understand the value of well-thought-out, orderly and necessary coexistence in Neumünster.

We are all part of a community in which everyone lives together. It is time that we try to live together as good neighbors and work for the well-being of the city and of our fellow citizens.

But “living together” involves more than a political or friendly conversation. It is about how people meet one another and find ways together to live, work and spend their free time in harmony – in their own neighborhood, but also in Neumünster’s city center. Our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools and businesses as well as our town centers are all “places in transition”, where new people are constantly on the move. It matters to everyone how they interact and communicate with each other and what efforts they make to create welcoming places. This applies not only to newcomers, but to everyone else too.

Together we should work to make our city of Neumünster and its many places worth living in.

We should always keep in mind that the way we revitalize our city will have an important influence on the living conditions that the generations after us will find.

Crime and violence are just some of the many challenges our city currently faces. Crime and violence pose a serious challenge to social cohesion and economic stability in the city of Neumünster. The damage and fear they cause are a serious threat to quality of life, human rights, social and economic stability and sustainable development. Those affected most are citizens who like living in Neumünster and therefore do not want to leave or move away.

Violence and crime have unfortunately also become a serious problem in our city of Neumünster, one that can no longer be ignored.

Crime and violence do not arise by themselves. The loss of financial prosperity through the financial and industrial crisis of recent years, poverty and also growing hopelessness, the loss of many jobs and an ever-aging population in the city of Neumünster have led and continue to lead to citizens losing interest in living in Neumünster and in taking part in any activities in the city center and especially in the Renckspark. As a result, people who have found their business model in crime were drawn to Neumünster, hoping to win a larger clientele for their business here.

Crime has led to a certain unease and fear among the citizens of Neumünster. This has strengthened in many the feeling of being disempowered and left alone in this situation. In this way criminal structures were able to establish themselves in our city.

It is the responsibility of all citizens of this city to help reduce crime.

The police, courts and prisons are important players in the fight against crime and violence in Neumünster. Nevertheless it is essential that all citizens of the city do their part to stop the escalation of violence. Ensuring public safety should be regarded as a right of all citizens and treated with due seriousness. I am convinced that cooperation between institutions and civil society can help to increase safety in Neumünster. An inclusive and equal urban environment can serve as the goal.

I recommend taking the initiative and coordinating community-wide crime prevention strategies in order to reduce crime and violence. The success of such efforts depends largely on close cooperation between local decision-makers, citizens and civil society.

Good city governance values citizen participation and strives to involve all citizens – including those who are most marginalized and live in poverty – in local decision-making and planning.

I would be very pleased if Neumünster were a place worth living in for all its residents. I would be very grateful for the opportunity to present my concept to anyone interested. I would also be very thankful for support and accompaniment in implementing this goal.

It is important to note that public spaces such as the Großflecken, Am Teich and the Renckspark are important places where urban safety can be improved by promoting the values of social cohesion and living together.

I am convinced that the people of this city can make an essential contribution to bringing about positive change in these places. I would like to point out that citizens should be addressed and seen as perceptive and sensitive people, rather than merely as those who complain about everything.

How can we create more safety in Neumünster?

Many citizens of our city are very interested in fighting crime and violence in Neumünster. We must not forget that crime and violence in their various forms are a major concern for many women, especially those living in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods. A safe city is one with a balance between law enforcement and prevention, where investment is made in young people and where the strengths of neighborhoods and communities are built upon.

A city-wide campaign could help ensure that all residents of the city, regardless of their socio-economic status, gender, or ethnic, religious or social background, can take part in the social, economic and political opportunities of our city.

I am convinced that involving all citizens, including poor city residents and young people, at all levels of planning and decision-making is the key to creating a safer city.

I would be very pleased to be supported in creating a platform in the park that offers solutions for better cohesion and better coexistence.

It would be desirable to promote successful solutions and encourage innovation where change is necessary.

In recent months I have raised the topic of the Großflecken, Am Teich and the park again with those I was already in conversation with. The aim was to develop ideas together on how we can revive the city center. On this matter I have already spoken with various stakeholders, including associations, organizations, individuals and business owners. I consistently received positive feedback. All interest groups expressed their interest in cooperating on the concept I proposed and taking an active part in it.

I think we can all assume that we are pursuing the same goal in this matter. It is of great importance that we work together to turn the city of Neumünster, and the city center in particular, into a safe and livable place.