SCHINNEN, the Netherlands (April 2009): The revelation by authorities last month that a convicted child molester was living in the northwestern German town of Heinsberg spurred concern and questions among many in this corner of the Netherlands and Germany where residents routinely cross the borders near Heinsberg. How could this be allowed' Are other criminals also living among us' What can be done for protection'
The answers aren't exactly easy, given the strict privacy laws enforced in Germany and the Netherlands. In the U.S., comprehensive databases track the whereabouts of sexual offenders (and in some jurisdictions, other convicted felons) so average citizens can easily access data identifying offenders and where they reside. This allows citizens to know about risks in their own neighborhoods and take precautions for themselves and family members.
But in much of Europe, that information is not available to average citizens because it is considered a violation of privacy. In Germany, the protection of privacy is a cornerstone of basic law or Grundgesetz (German Constitution). In the Netherlands, privacy protection is a fundamental right, guaranteed under Article 10 of the Nederlandse Grondwet (Dutch Constitution).
This makes for difficult dissemination of information, according to U.S. law enforcement authorities assigned to tri-border military installations. "The privacy laws make it harder for us as military police," explained John Hopper, USAG Schinnen Provost Marshall, "because sometimes there's information we'd like to have, but we're not allowed to access or collect it."
The Bundeskriminalamt (Federal Police) in Germany operate a nationwide database of criminal profiles and convicted offenders, but federal laws restrict the release of personal information contained in that database.
Air Force Master Sgt. Jason Krebsbach, International Military Police Investigator at Geilenkirchen NATO Airbase in Germany, points to the Heinsburg case as a good example. "The Heinsberg Police didn't release information about the individual other than the fact he's there, and this came only after the story had circulated in other media sources. It was a way for the Polizei to let the international community know, since they [non-native speakers] might not have been reading the local news in Deutsch," Krebsbach said.
In the Netherlands, an advocacy group is attempting to get around Dutch privacy laws by hosting a web site in the U.S., where it posts the names and addresses of pedophiles living in the Netherlands. A quick search of the site, located at www.stopkindersex.com, turned up two offenders in nearby Heerlen, and one each in Landgraaf, Kerkrade and Maastricht -- all towns within a short drive of USAG Schinnen.
Although these laws are intended to protect individual privacy rights, they have the effect of stemming the flow of information that in some cases could be vital to the safety and protection of residents. Both Hopper and Krebsbach say local Dutch and German law enforcement authorities work "wholeheartedly" with their respective military units and share information as much as possible.
"We get what we need; we're able to do our job," said Hopper, "but if there's information that deals strictly with the Dutch, then they [local police] are not allowed to share that information with us. That leaves us in the dark sometimes for what's going on in certain neighborhoods."
Hopper and Krebsbach say this prevents their offices from passing on information to newcomers or others who might inquire about the safety of certain cities or neighborhoods. Hopper's office keeps statistics of crimes involving Americans, and Krebsbach keeps general statistics of crimes involving NATO personnel assigned at Geilenkirchen (including Americans). From these limited sources, both offices publish announcements and warnings about crime trends and how to take precautions, but that's about the extent of information available.
Hopper says this area is not a high crime area, but Krebsbach thinks that leads many Americans to conclude crime isn't serious in Europe. "The lack of information isn't the biggest problem here; it's the lull people fall into by letting down their guard and not practicing the same basic safety measures we all perform instinctively in the U.S.," Krebsbach explained.
Since the story of the convicted child molester living in Heinsberg first circulated, local citizens raised many objections with government officials and politicians. Protestors led demonstrations outside the alleged house of the offender. Within weeks, German media reported the offender had agreed to counseling and was being constantly monitored by law enforcement.
The release of information in that case allowed citizens to take important steps toward personal protection. What can you do, given the lack of information available under current privacy laws' Hopper and Krebsbach offer these tips:
- Get to know your neighbors. Local nationals are your best source of information. People living here usually know what's going on, even if official sources can't release details.
- Request a security inspection. An inspection of your home can identify potential risks. Schinnen's Military Police will perform this service free upon request.
- Take crime prevention seriously. The risk is no different here than anywhere else. This is especially true in large European cities, just as in large U.S. cities.
- Report crime. If you become the victim of a crime, report it to local police and to the Schinnen MPs (0031-46-443-7555) or the GK IMPs (0049-2451-63-4819) so the incident can fully documented.
(Editor's Note: This is the first in a three-part series on crime prevention for military personnel living in Europe. Next month will be a story on home burglaries and crimes of opportunity.)
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