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Science city of Darmstadt responds to suggestions from the daycare center “An der Modaubrücke”
Following an inquiry from the management of the "An der Modaubrücke" daycare center, the City of Darmstadt thoroughly examined the school route situation along the Modau promenade and initiated the implementation of several measures to improve safety. Children regularly use this route between the nearby school and the attached after-school care center.
The inquiry stemmed from increasing concern among children, parents, and educational professionals after groups of people had established themselves along the Modau promenade during the day, consuming alcohol, urinating in public, and approaching and harassing children. The police and youth welfare office were informed of these incidents.
Joint site visit of all participating agencies
Head of Public Order Paul Georg Wandrey then initiated a short-notice on-site meeting . Participants included the daycare center's management, representatives of the state police, the city police's liaison officer for Eberstadt, the mobility and civil engineering office, and the 2nd police precinct. The aim was to jointly assess the traffic patterns between the school and the daycare center, immediate measures , and coordinate further action.
“ The safety of children on their way to school is our top priority. That is why it was important to me to bring all the relevant authorities together promptly and to jointly assess the situation on site, ” Wandrey emphasizes.
Lighting tested and deemed safe
The Mobility and Civil Engineering Office commissioned the municipal service provider e-netz Südhessen to inspect the technical condition of the lighting on the Modau promenade between Heidelberger Landstraße and the street "An der Eschollmühle" . Measurements of the illuminance were also taken during the evening and night hours.
The result: The lighting is fully functional and meets current traffic safety requirements. Increasing the illuminance is technically impossible and was rejected for environmental reasons. Relocating the lights was also ruled out due to the city's lighting guidelines and the natural character of the Modau promenade.
Further measures to increase subjective safety
In addition to the lighting assessment, further measures are being implemented or prepared. The Parks Department is removing benches in the affected area to improve visibility and reduce the incentive to linger. Furthermore, a shrub near the entrance from Heidelberger Landstraße will be trimmed more regularly to further improve the uniformity of the lighting.
Michael Kolmer , head of the parks department, explains: “ By removing the benches and regularly pruning the vegetation, we create more clarity without unnecessarily interfering with the green space. ”
Responsibilities clearly defined
Head of Public Order Wandrey clarified that the creation and updating of school route plans is fundamentally the responsibility of the schools , but the city provides technical support, for example regarding route guidance, crossing points, markings and signage.
State and city police remain responsible for public order and safety-related incidents such as harassment, intoxicated groups, or public urination . Acute incidents should be reported immediately; an increased police presence has already been considered.
City Treasurer André Schellenberg added that, following another site visit with the daycare center's management, the real estate management department of the City of Darmstadt will assess the necessity of any necessary work on the fence and the grounds lighting. Once a cost estimate is available, the administration will discuss further steps.
(Darmstadt - Red/PSD/Stip)
