Drug trade - Fight about Görlitzer Park: "Districts are delivered to the Senate"
After a court ruling regarding the Görlitzer Park in Berlin-Kreuzberg, Green district mayor Clara Herrmann admitted her defeat and criticized the court. "In effect, the Senatsumweltverwaltung can now begin construction of the fence and gates in our park," Herrmann told the daily "Taz" (Tuesday). I cannot understand the court's argumentation because the districts have been "delivered to the political whim of the Senate."
"We will discuss how to react at the next district office meeting," Herrmann added. "Görlitzer Park is not an island, but lies in the midst of residential areas – and we want practical and comprehensive solutions for the problems on site that go beyond symbolic politics." The planned closure of the park at night will further shift the excessive drug trade into the residential areas.
The Senate aims to combat drug criminality and violence with entrance gates and nighttime closure of the park. Herrmann stated that most residents of the streets around the park would prefer more police presence and visibility on foot. However, the Greens had opposed a new police station at the nearby Kottbusser Tor.
The Administrative Court recently decided that the Bezirk Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg has no "defensive rights" against the interference and the Senate's decision to build a fence around the Görlitzer Park. The district is not an independent community, but assumes tasks as a subordinate part of the unitary community Berlin. The decision is not yet legally binding. A complaint to the Higher Administrative Court is possible.
- Despite the court's decision in favor of the Senate, Clara Herrmann, the Green district mayor of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, expressed her dissatisfaction, stating, "I cannot understand the court's argumentation because the districts have been 'delivered to the political whim of the Senate.'"
- The court's ruling allows the Senatsumweltverwaltung to start constructing fences and gates in Görlitzer Park, a move that Herrmann believes will exacerbate problems related to the drug trade by pushing it further into residential areas.
- The Senate's plan to combat criminality and violence in Görlitzer Park involves installing entrance gates and closing the park at night, but according to Herrmann, most local residents prefer increased police presence and foot patrols in the area.
- The Administrative Court recently ruled that the district of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg has no "defensive rights" against the Senate's decision to construct a fence around Görlitzer Park, reinforcing the idea that Berlin's districts are not independent communities but rather subordinate parts of the larger Berlin collective.
- Following the court's decision, Herrmann announced that she will bring the issue to the district office meeting, where they will discuss potential responses and look for comprehensive solutions that go beyond symbolic politics to address the problems facing Görlitzer Park and its surrounding community.
