In times of global crises and wars, a special type of police patrol in the city of Zurich is expected to enhance security.
When it comes to so-called “No-go Areas,” the Zurich population primarily mentions places in District 4, especially Langstrasse.
Concerns Over Safety and Crime Rates in Zurich
Certain criminal cases can have a significant impact on the perceived sense of security. For instance, a violent attack in October where a 23-year-old Chinese man in Oerlikon stabbed a group of children on their way to daycare, leaving three boys injured.
Crime Statistics and Public Safety
Many parents and residents question the safety level in Zurich. It’s essential to differentiate between the number of crimes committed and the actual sense of security felt by the population.
Analysis of recent crime statistics reveals a 2.5% increase in bodily harm offenses in the city compared to the previous year, which does not indicate a significant rise in crime rates.
Violence in public spaces predominantly affects minors, with a surge in incidents near the main train station and Langstrasse. The number of knife attacks in the canton has doubled since 2019, from 50 to 105 cases, with half occurring in the city.
The impact of these statistics on the public psyche is a matter of concern.
Perception of Safety and Police Response
The Zurich City Police is also interested in this question. Every four years, they gauge the public sentiment. The latest results of a representative survey, conducted by the Demoscope research institute, were unveiled on Monday.
Notably, some residents feel that the perceived safety situation in the city has deteriorated in the past five years, with 27% reporting a decline in safety compared to 17% four years ago.
The explanation for this prevailing uncertainty among parts of the population seems somewhat vague, attributed by pollsters to global crises and wars impacting the overall sense of security.
Citizens identify drug addicts or drug dealers as the most pressing security issue that the police should address, followed by concerns about traffic safety and public violence.
Confidence in Law Enforcement
The majority of Zurich residents feel adequately protected by the City Police, with 89% expressing a sense of security. Moreover, 81% believe that Zurich police officers act correctly.
Among the 13% who criticized police behavior, most felt unheard or experienced unfriendly to disrespectful treatment.
The City Police enjoys a high level of trust among the population, scoring 8.25 out of 10 points. Safety Chief Karin Rykart remarked on Monday that these high trust values demonstrate the close relationship between the City Police and the public.
Challenges and Solutions
To address concerns of racial profiling, Rykart proposed implementing an app where officers must justify their identity checks. Additionally, the police should inform individuals where to report if they disagree with the check.
The Zurich population also supports the use of body cameras by police, with 84% considering video recordings as beneficial.
Enhancing Police Presence and Response
A visible police presence is favored by Zurich residents, with one in four desiring more foot patrols and one in three requesting increased bicycle patrols.
Commander Beat Oppliger stated that visible police presence positively influences the sense of security but comes with operational challenges, such as adjusting station hours and prioritizing non-urgent cases like noise complaints.
Due to high workload, the City Council requested seventeen additional positions for the security police this year, as mentioned by Karin Rykart.
In a new initiative, the City Police will expand their visible presence in public spaces by introducing patrols in yellow-marked vests. Additionally, all officers will undergo bicycle training to increase bicycle patrols in the city over the next two years.