One of the police cars that has not yet been repainted is parked on the city motorway near Dürerplatz in Friedenau Photo: Isabel Pancake
By Julian Loevenich
At least that was the policy plan for the police in 2012. The uniform blue should be a sign of solidarity in Europe. But again and again there are astonished looks from Berliners when they see police vehicles today.
Because even ten years later, antiquarian green-and-white squad cars are still out and about on the streets. The reason: there is a lack of money.
According to a police spokeswoman, there is funding for renewal purchases with which all vehicles would have to be served. However, the money is often used for repairs and is therefore not available for repainting.
Ten state vehicles are still driving around with the old paintwork. Almost 100 federal vehicles are added, for which Berlin is also responsible.
The ten state vehicles are to be replaced by blue-painted vehicles by 2023. There is no specific timetable for the approximately 100 federal vehicles. Just the announcement: they too should be replaced over time …
There are still a number of green vehicles in use in Berlin Photo: Isabel Pancake
Effort and costs could actually have been saved! Because: Until 1976, the Berlin police still wore blue. At that time, however, she switched to green because it was supposed to look friendlier …