Procedure for problem property on Spessartring

The reporting of abuses in a private property on Spessartring has led to a great deal of public incomprehension towards the municipal authorities. The press report was prompted by complaints from the neighborhood, which have become public and which expect the city to act more quickly. Head of Public Order Paul-Gerhard Weiß is therefore keen to clarify the background: "The reactions, some of which were very indignant, are understandable. We have not communicated clearly enough to the neighbors affected and I understand that the impression has arisen that the city is capitulating to the problems. However - and I would like to emphasize this - exactly the opposite is the case here: the authorities are neither looking the other way nor are they inactive. On the contrary, the pursuit of such conditions is a focus of the city authorities' work. Of course, we do not simply accept these conditions. Instead, those involved are responding: they are adapting to the increasingly difficult situations and adjusting their operations so that we can continue to successfully tackle problem properties. That's exactly what's happening right now."

Head of Public Order Weiß also makes it clear that the building inspectorate, with its numerous operations and successes, is a key player, but by no means the only one: "The city has an inter-agency and inter-office task force specifically for this purpose. In this cooperation, which has been exemplary throughout Germany for many years, Offenbach has been very successful in combating abuse of benefits and other legal and human abuses in private properties. Nothing has changed in this respect," says Weiß and adds: "The Spessartring case has been on the task force's agenda for some time and the building inspectorate is working in close cooperation with many other departments. For this reason alone, there can be no question of inactivity on the part of the city. Especially as the authorities are dealing with several problem properties in the city at the same time."

A large-scale property inspection was organized at Spessartring back in April 2024, and legal hearings and proceedings have been ongoing in the background ever since. "This is the work that continues after an operation, but is of course not visible to bystanders." The public order office also investigated several reports of littering from the neighborhood in March and early April of this year. However, these reports could not be confirmed on site. Only three garbage bags were found, which were located in a shared parking lot with the neighboring building and could not be assigned to any specific persons. There were also no witnesses who could confirm who had left the garbage there. For legal reasons, the city cannot do anything about littering on private property as long as it does not lead to hygienically questionable conditions or vermin infestation. All residents are jointly responsible for the waste produced on their property. However, the public order office keeps an eye on the situation. As soon as it finds any problems, it will take action again and impose penalties.

On the issue of security during such operations, Weiß emphasizes that task force operations are always accompanied by the city police. In special cases, the state police are also involved on request. "Nevertheless, the city has a responsibility to take additional personal protection measures for its own employees who interact with those affected on the front line in such situations, which are always unpredictable. Experience has taught us that we need to make adjustments here. It is important not to underestimate the state of emergency that an eviction puts the people housed there in. They lose their home at that moment. The reactions to this are diverse, unpredictable and increasingly unpredictable. We have reacted to the increased potential for conflict and violence and arranged for additional protective measures, also with the support of the public order office. This has led to delays in the meantime, but of course we will continue to work on all cases," promises Weiß with regard to the Spessartring. "It is important to me that citizens can continue to rely on the authorities in the future. This is precisely why we are adapting to the challenges."

However, quick visibility on site is not always the key to success, Weiß makes clear when looking at similar cases as a whole: "The city is always bound by law and order - especially when it comes to evictions and people lose their homes as a result. That's why we always prepare such operations very well so that we can successfully implement all legal procedures afterwards. We have already taken many unconventional paths in Offenbach that have also stood up in court afterwards. Precisely because we proceed in a very considered and well-prepared manner, we ensure that owners do not get away with their actions. Even if they are prepared to take all legal steps themselves."

Head of Public Order Weiß points out that the perpetrators of such abuses usually exploit people for their business model for the sake of profit. "It is not the city that is inactive, it is usually the owners who deliberately and purposefully bring about such conditions. The residents, about whom the neighbors then understandably complain, are usually victims themselves. I don't want to leave that unmentioned. We fight such cases resolutely, but it is undoubtedly time-consuming and legally complex, as the 'perpetrators' defend themselves in court and in other ways. It is important for us to send out the message that we are not just capitulating, but that we are staying on the ball and adapting to new challenges! That's why everyone can rely on us: The next deployment will come - unannounced!"

The city of Offenbach is now also informing the affected neighbors about this background in a further letter. "We realize that our previous correspondence with the neighbors has raised more questions than it has answered. I regret that. We have therefore sent a further information letter to those affected and they can of course continue to contact us with any questions or comments."