Elif Eralp, the leading candidate for the Berliner Linke (Left Party) in Berlin, has pledged to strengthen law enforcement efforts concerning organized crime. Speaking to the news portal T-Online, Eralp emphasized that funding in this area should not be cut but rather supplemented with additional personnel. While she distanced herself from the term “clankriminalität” (gang crime), she stressed the importance of specialized public prosecutor’s offices to tackle these issues.
She specifically called for a stronger fight against tax evasion, noting that this practice allows millions to slip away from the state. Furthermore, Eralp highlighted that extortion and protection rackets are severe problems in Berlin, leading to violence and shootings. “We have to address that; we need more police staffing there,” she asserted.
Historically, Berlin Left Party politicians have advocated for resource reductions for the police. However, Eralp pushed back on this, stating: “I will not cut corners on the safety of Berliners.” Nevertheless, she agreed that the deployment of police force needed closer review, questioning the necessity of documenting every minor damage incident during traffic accidents or the large-scale police presence at every demonstration.
Although she clarified that police presence is necessary in areas of high uncertainty and crime, Eralp cautioned that the police are not a panacea. She referenced the situation at Kottbusser Tor and Görlitzer Park, where she observed that increased police presence only seemed to displace crime. Consequently, Eralp declared her primary focus would be on social work and increased prevention strategies.
