As of: January 19, 2024, 7:00 a.m
By: Elena Royer
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Press
Split
The police can't be everywhere.
That's why officials often rely on support from the public.
The press reports in the newspaper are a good help for this.
© Robert Michael/DPA
There are plenty of police reports and calls for witnesses in our newspaper.
Readers are asked to help almost every day.
But they don't always lead to the desired success.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen
- “If you have observed something, please report it to the police.” This sentence can be read again and again in our newspaper.
Regardless of whether it's an accident, graffiti or bodily harm - hardly a day goes by without the authorities asking our readers for their help.
But what do these calls to the population actually achieve?
Do readers really report to the police?
Can officers use this to catch criminals?
Reports appeal to the public's attention
“Yes,” says Christopher Seebauer, police chief inspector in the Geretsried inspection department.
“The press reports are an adequate means of appealing to the public's attention.” Seebauer knows that many would specifically read the reports and articles.
“And there are regularly profitable reports that lead to concrete investigative successes.”
You can read the latest news from the Wolfratshausen/Geretsried region here
Tips are incorporated into patrol activity
Even though they are traveling by car or on foot, newspaper readers often remember the reports and give tips to the police.
“We then incorporate this into our patrol activities,” explains Seebauer.
However, the Geretsried law enforcement officers do not receive feedback on every police report that is published in our newspaper.
This is also the case with the police in Bad Tölz, as deputy head of inspection Andreas Rohrhofer admits.
“An appeal to the public is often our last chance,” he says.
However, reports are rare.
In general, he observes: “Relatively often nothing comes of it.” Why is that?
“If someone saw something, they would contact us on their own.” If the police already have an investigation, “we don’t even start a call,” reports the Tölzer inspection deputy.
But “if we have nothing at all, there will be a press call”.
It has already happened that a report in the newspaper puts so much pressure on the perpetrator that he turns himself in.
But rarely,” admits Rohrhofer.
Preventative thinking also plays a role
The preventive idea also plays a role in press reports.
Citizens find out from the newspaper when something has happened - and are more attentive in everyday life.
According to Geretsried Chief Inspector Seebauer, the reports on drunk driving also serve a preventive purpose.
If you know the police are checking, you might not drive if you've had something to drink.
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And even if the response to calls in the local press is often muted, “we’re doing it anyway,” emphasizes Rohrhofer to our newspaper.
If the investigation is successful, “those affected will be eternally grateful to us.
They’re as happy as a schnitzel.”
The Tölz deputy emphasizes: “The sacrifice alone makes it worth it that we do this.”
In serious incidents, witnesses report themselves
The tone of the Wolfratshausen inspection is similar: “Citizens are already calling who can provide information.
But no one responds to the majority of our reports,” puts Thomas Wackerle, deputy of the Wolfratshausen police, into perspective.
“When something serious happens, the witnesses come on their own,” he also confirms.
From his personal experience, he can say that “every now and then” there are clues “that help you move forward.
The busier the location, the more.” The most feedback comes from property damage or accident escapes.
That's why Wackerle also describes the police reports in the press as important support.
“We depend on the population because we can’t be everywhere.”
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