Extensive checks in the city center by state police and public order office

More than 100 police officers and a member of the public order office checked 41 properties, 350 people and 40 vehicles yesterday evening. The operation was accompanied by the Darmstadt public prosecutor's office. Additional support was provided by officers from the Hessian Police Headquarters (HPE).

The Offenbach public order office checked cafés, betting shops, shisha bars and amusement arcades, among others. After the joint operation with the state police, Head of Public Order Paul-Gerhard Weiß said: "Yesterday's operation was a continuation of previous priority checks that we have repeatedly carried out at irregular intervals. Yesterday, a total of 19 breaches of hospitality law and breaches of the protection of minors were detected. Gaming machines were taken out of operation in two pubs." Two establishments were temporarily closed due to violations. The fines for the administrative offense proceedings that were initiated amount to a total of around 20,000 euros.

Head of Public Order Weiß emphasized that night-time checks will continue to take place in the future. "We are currently focusing in particular on gambling machines. We are also checking whether the regulations for the protection of players are being adhered to and whether legal software is being used," added Weiß, who also thanked the state police for their consistently good cooperation.

The police also took a close look at conspicuous vehicles during traffic checks in the city. Operational units such as the "TRuP" (tuners, speeders and posers) unit of the Road Safety Directorate were also deployed for this purpose. The operating licenses of four of the cars inspected expired due to technical modifications. In the case of a Mercedes S500, the structural modifications to the exhaust system were so serious that the car was seized; it will now be examined by an expert.

During the police operations, which took place between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Thursday evening, the police reportedly initiated ten investigations and misdemeanor proceedings - including for violations of the Narcotics Act. The law enforcement officers also punished a violation of the Compulsory Insurance Act and violations of residence law. There was also a case of resistance, which is why the police have launched an investigation.

"The visibility of the police officers received praise from the public on several occasions. Many conversations were held in which citizens expressed their thanks for the police presence and the checks", said the head of the Offenbach Regional Crime Inspectorate at the South-East Hesse Police Headquarters. The positive response from the public, the resulting exchange and not least the results of the checks showed that such operations are indispensable. The police are present in Offenbach city center in civilian clothes and uniforms.