Lack of staff in the security service
The control of the hygiene protection measures is more difficult. At the municipal security service, in short KOS, there is a shortage of staff – and not just since Corona. The problem so far has been the city’s empty coffers. Mönchengladbach has been part of the urban finance pact since 2012. “The pandemic is also tearing gaps in the budget”says Mayor Felix Heinrichs.
According to the city, the security service is to be reinforced with six new posts by 2022. Mönchengladbach will spend around two million euros on this until 2025.
Communication: clubs step in
Markus Effertz is President of the Citizens’ Rifle Club St. Hermann-Josef Speick. He and his wife Katja carried out the relief effort together with the association last year “Together we can do it” brought to life. The principle: You help vulnerable groups in everyday life.
“Those in need of help as well as high-risk patients can contact us via a central number”, explains Katja Effertz. The shooting club’s WhatsApp group then organizes volunteers who do the shopping, pick up prescriptions from the doctor or take the dog out. The group now has more than 50 members. “Often after a few minutes, someone who can help will answer you”, Sagt Effertz.
Information and assistance
The inquiries to the association have been increasing steadily since the beginning of the crisis. “It is no longer just about assistance, but often about information”says Effertz. Every now and then callers even reported that the city had referred them to the shooting club. That doesn’t bother Effertz, on the contrary. The 80-year-old Theo Schmitz is now also moving in WhatsApp-Newsletter of the shooting club. The volunteers help him use the smartphone.
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