Security service disappeared from town hall in Upper Bavaria

Follow us on Google

Garmisch-Partenkirchen’s new mayor Daniel Schimmer (FW) has ended the security service in the town hall. And thus fulfilled a campaign promise.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Quietly and without fuss, Daniel Schimmer fulfilled his first campaign promise. The security service that controlled the entrance to the main entrance to the Garmisch-Partenkirchen town hall has disappeared. This was done by the new mayor (Free Voters), who has been in office since May 1st. There will no longer be a security service at the gate as in the current form in the future.

Security service in the town hall in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Emotional topic in the panel discussion

It became surprisingly emotional when the topic was brought up Tagblattpanel discussion with the five mayoral candidates in February. Does the town hall need security? This question should be asked by Schimmer, the then mayor Elisabeth Koch (CSU) and her challengers Peter Schimpf (SPD, now third mayor), Dr. Stephan Thiel (Greens) and Dr. Answer Anton Hofer (Garmisch+Partenkirchen together) with a sign. Thumbs up for “yes”, thumbs down for “no”. Only Koch voted for it. The audience in the room, however, had a clear opinion. They responded with loud shouts of “No.”

“Town Hall should be open to its citizens”

Shimmer is now fulfilling this wish of the population. “A town hall should above all be an open house for its citizens,” emphasizes the mayor. He completely ignores criticism of his predecessor Koch and the administration, but rather defends them: “The security service was an important and correct measure at a special time.”

The security was originally introduced during the corona pandemic to direct visitors. After the restrictions ended, the administration retained the concept – “due to growing concerns about the safety of employees on the part of the management at the time,” explains town hall spokeswoman Silvia Schwarzenberger. This refers to Wolfgang Berger, the highest official in the town hall under Koch and her right-hand man, who Schimmer transferred to the legal office as one of the first official acts.

“Silent alarm” for employees in the town hall: help at the push of a button

According to Schwarzenberger, the market now considers the security service to be “not necessary and not up to date”. The electronic control system in the residents’ registration office has eased the situation, they say. “This gives us modern options for making processes efficient and citizen-friendly,” adds Schimmer. Visitors are advised and steered at the double-staffed gate in the entrance area. “The idea of ​​security for employees will be taken into account in the future through the option of triggering a silent alarm directly at the workplace,” emphasizes Schwarzenberger. Several systems are being tested that can be used to get help at the push of a button. There will be a test run in the town hall in mid-July. (vfi)