Scaling Up Protection: TheCase for Ankle Monitors in Osnabrück
Law enforcement leader advocates for adoption of electronic monitoring devices on wrists. - Officer in charge advocates for ankle restraints.
Here's a fresh take on the topic:
The new police president of Osnabrück, Friedo de Vries, is advocating for the immediate implementation of electronic ankle monitors for violent offenders to help combat the scourge of femicides in Lower Saxony. De Vries believes that this tool can serve as a significant step in the fight against violence against women, especially among young people.
De Vries references the Spanish ankle monitor model, which uses real-time tracking to maintain a safe distance between offenders and victims. This model has already proven successful in states like Saxony and Hesse, where it has helped improve enforcement and potentially discourage reoffending. Lower Saxony’s Minister of the Interior, Daniela Behrens, too, has announced the introduction of the electronic ankle monitor as part of the reform of the Lower Saxony Police and Public Order Act (NPOG).
The aggressive nature of violence against women knows no bounds, and its devastating impact is evident. In May, three heart-wrenching incidents in Lower Saxony left three women dead – victims of arson, car attacks, and parking lot stabbings. Each time, the perpetrator was apprehended and charged with murder. De Vries assumed office as police president on June 1st, following his role as president of the state criminal police office since 2018.
When it comes to technology and the protection of women, the Spanish model serves as a beacon—an example of how technology can be harnessed to enforce restraining orders effectively. The model's success lies in its reliance on real-time tracking, which notifies authorities if an offender breaches set boundaries, enhancing enforcement efforts and potentially deterring offenders.
The effective implementation of this model requires a coordinated effort between police, courts, and social services. It's crucial that Lower Saxony adapts best practices, such as those from Spain and France, by ensuring monitoring is accompanied by victim support (shelters, counseling), and clear protocols for intervention when offenders violate conditions. The model's success depends on technical reliability, adequate funding, and community trust.
While there may be cultural or legal barriers that differ from those in Spain, this model could be effectively implemented in Osnabrück if tailored strategies are employed. The prospect of such a step could significantly strengthen the region's stance against the insidious problem of femicides, contributing to a safer community for all.
- To further bolster the community's safety, the new employment policy could be extended to include training programs for police officers in implementing and utilizing the science of real-time tracking technology, such as ankle monitors, as part of the employment policy, with a special focus on women's health and general news related to crime and justice.
- In an effort to shore up health-and-wellness initiatives within the community, a comprehensive review of the community policy could be undertaken to assess the feasibility of incorporating resources for victim support services, including shelters and counseling, as a complementary aspect to any employment policy emphasizing the implementation of ankle monitors.
- As a means to address the upsurge in violence against women, an updated employment policy within the public order Act (NPOG) could be formulated to mandate collaboration and coordination between social services, courts, and the police force, ensuring that effective interventions are in place when offenders breach set conditions, thereby enhancing enforcement and potentially discouraging reoffending.
