Recklinghausen Police Advisory Board: New strategies against clan crime!

Recklinghausen Police Advisory Board: New strategies against clan crime!

On October 24th, a meeting of the police advisory board took place at the Recklinghausen police headquarters, at which important topics were discussed. Franz-Josef Thorwesten, the deputy chairman, chaired the meeting and presented the agenda together with Police Chief Friederike Zurhausen. This included the status of the properties as well as the introduction of electronic files in criminal cases. The focus was particularly on the development of clan crime in the region, an issue that not only concerns the police but also the population and raises concerns. Loud DW There are recognized research results on this topic in Germany that show that the actual crime-related activities of so-called clans are often exaggerated.

During the meeting, Police Chief Zurhausen thanked the chairman of the police advisory board, Mr. Gunnemann, for the successful cooperation. A special feature of the meeting was the farewell to Thorwesten, who received a coin from the Recklinghausen police headquarters to commemorate his work. In view of the upcoming local elections, there will be a new composition of the district council, which will also have an impact on the police advisory board. Some members are no longer available, which could provide a breath of fresh air for future police work.

Research into clan crime

The issue of clan crime is also of great relevance for the police authorities. Mahmoud Jaraba, an expert who has been researching Arab, Turkish and Kurdish extended families since 2015, criticizes the use of the term “clan” in the media and police debate as misleading. He argues that actual crime should often be viewed as “family-based crime,” involving well-connected family members at home and abroad. These families are by no means homogeneous in nature and the majority of members reject criminal activity and instead want effective measures against crime.

In several federal states, including North Rhine-Westphalia, the authorities have taken action to combat this form of crime. For example, regular checks and raids are carried out, but the effectiveness of these measures is critically questioned. Criminologist Daniela Hunold criticizes the legal framework and the effectiveness of these strategies. Ultimately, citizens' subjective sense of security is a central aspect that influences the measures.

A look into pop culture

Another exciting aspect within the crime topic can be found in the media landscape, where series like “Criminal Minds” appeal to a wide audience. The hit American police series, which premiered in 2005, follows a team of profilers from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). With exciting characters and complex criminal cases, the series succeeds in shedding light on the topic of crime. While we deal more with real investigations, the series shows how complex the topic of crime is.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the current meeting of the Police Advisory Board was not only important for the police, but also raised far-reaching questions about security and the public's perception of crime. The challenges posed by things like clan crime and police responsibility remain a constant topic of discussion in the community.