By Danilo Gladow and Stefan Peter
Don’t the Berlin bathing establishments feel bound by the new admission rules? Since Saturday it has actually been said in the outdoor pools: No entry without presentation of ID. But this rule was simply ignored by the staff in several pools over the weekend.
After many violent incidents, a strict admission system should take effect immediately.
On Friday, 4:20 p.m., the bathing establishments reported: “From Saturday, access to the outdoor pools is only possible upon presentation of a photo ID. This can be an identity card as well as a driver’s license or a student ID card. The document must be presented at the entrance.”
But reality looks different!
Contrary to the announcement, anyone who buys their ticket online does not have to provide an address – first and last name and e-mail address are sufficient. Not only that: After payment, the ticket comes by mail, but is not personalized – so it can be passed on to anyone.
Joana (27) and William (10) from Steglitz: “I think the rules are right. There’s been too many fights lately. This is not fun and dangerous, especially for children. If this keeps problem guests away, that’s a good thing” Photo: Ralf Gunther
The BZ check
► In the summer pool in Pankow on Wolfshagener Straße, the security checks on Sunday were very lax. Two employees ask guests in a friendly manner: “Do you have a glass or knife with you?” Those who said no were allowed to continue.
Bag control? none. The online ticket takes you to the express entrance: hold the barcode in front of the scanner and you can pass through the turnstile. ID check? Also nil!
In front of and in the bathroom, however, a police team car. A good 20 officers were present on Sunday, patrolling the huge area. Just three weeks ago, there was a wild brawl between two visitors and security in the Pankow summer swimming pool.
► Admission to the Humboldthain Summer Pool (Wedding) was also possible with an online ticket without an ID check. Those who approached the express entrance did not even have to show their bags.
The security staff checked bags in the summer swimming pool in Kreuzberg – they weren’t that precise with ID cards
Photo: Ralf Gunther
► In the problem pool Prinzenbad (Kreuzberg) ID checks took place on Sunday. However, many bathers came in without ID. There was no sign of a registration. A quick look at the ID card and in the bag – “Have fun!” The presence of the police in front of the pool is remarkable: in addition to a mobile guard, two police vans were stationed in front of the pool.
Nevertheless, a fight broke out between several men early Sunday evening. The police took the personal details of those involved.
Gabriela Stangenberg from Kreuzberg: “I came in without an ID. I find the controls and police presence exaggerated. There are completely different places in Berlin where I wish there were more police – but not in the swimming pool.” Photo: Ralf Gunther
Lots of police in front of the summer pool at the islander (Steglitz). There, the new rules were already pointed out by posters in the area. Every visitor had to present an identity document and the obligatory look in the pocket was also taken seriously. A real registration did not take place here either.
A good 20 uniformed police officers were present in the Pankow summer swimming pool on Sunday and patrolled the area
Photo: Private
Why are the new rules hardly applied? How bathers with a house ban should be prevented from entering? Not clear. Neither the bathing establishments nor the Senate Department for the Interior and Sport responded to inquiries from the BZ
That was actually planned
They wanted to demonstrate determination and drive: only on Thursday did the governing Kai Wegner (50, CDU) and Interior Senator Iris Spranger (61, SPD) present the tough rules for Berlin’s outdoor pools.
Kai Wegner and Iris Spranger announced the new rules on Thursday. They have been in effect since Saturday – but are not implemented
Photo: Paul Zinken/dpa
Key Announcement:
► Visitors must register online in advance with their name and address, then show their ID at the entrance.
► If you want to go to the pool spontaneously, you have to bring your ID with you and you will be registered on site. Children need a student ID card.
In addition, the fences are to be raised so that rejected visitors can no longer climb over them. In the Columbiabad and the Prinzenbad, the entrances (but not the sunbathing areas or the pool) are to be monitored by video in the future.