A police officer in a control center (symbolic image) Photo: picture alliance / ZB
By Michael Behrendt
While politicians are admonishing citizens to be frugal and abstain, politicians seem to be lacking in sensitivity when it comes to tax money.
As the BZ learned from security circles, the costs for the urgently needed new control center for the police and fire brigade have exploded – from the planned 84 to 250 million euros!
Reason: dawdling. The property was originally supposed to be handed over last year. According to preliminary estimates, 2029 (!) is now the earliest date.
The police union (GdP) warns of a financial fiasco like at BER Airport.
Background: In 2016, the joint control center based on Eiswaldtstraße in Lankwitz was planned. Construction should begin three years later and be handed over in 2021.
The Senate Department for the Interior appeased. In this project, it should be noted that the entire project will be completed in two construction phases.
Regarding the almost tripled costs, it says: For the first time, “a detailed planning document is available, on the basis of which construction costs can be calculated in concrete terms.”
And further: “The planning of the highly complex requirements of this project with several sub-projects at two locations was carried out – as with every construction project – step by step with an increasing level of detail.” Of course, the sharp rise in the construction price index must be taken into account in the cost calculation to be worked out …
Berlin’s GdP spokesman Benjamin Jendro: “The control center must not become a second BER. We need them as soon as possible. Berlin’s politicians must show that security cannot be cut corners.”