Expanded Services by Dortmund Now Cater to Homeless Individuals and Those Struggling with Weight Issues, According to Polish Police Reports
In the heart of Dortmund, a city known for its rich history dating back to 882, a joint effort between the city administration and the police is transforming the urban landscape. The special task force "Order and City Life" has been established to address the challenges of public drug use, aggressive behavior, and aggressive begging, creating a cleaner, safer, and more attractive city centre.
One of the key initiatives is the creation of a new sleeping and stay facility for the homeless near the main train station at Treibstraße. This accommodation will offer a home to up to 30 individuals, providing them with a much-needed respite.
To combat the issue of drug-related offenses, the city has deployed additional personnel, totaling 47,646 personnel hours in 622 targeted operations in the city centre and the north district since July 2023. As a result, 2,124 criminal proceedings and 2,145 administrative offense proceedings have been initiated. Notably, the number of detected drug offenses in the central district has decreased by 26.6% compared to the previous year, with 444 cases from January to July 2025.
To provide support to adult drug addicts without housing or access to a night shelter, a new night café at the Schwanenwall has been established. The Night Café, which started operations on August 20, offers free food and drinks, hygiene facilities, and assistance, and is open from 10 pm to 6 am, three days a week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays). Two security personnel ensure that the rules are followed and guide the addicts to the site.
To further alleviate the strain on public spaces, the health department has been operating a relief area at Grafenhof / corner Martinstraße since early February 2025. Around 20 to 40 severely ill drug addicts regularly gather at this site to rest, maintain social contacts, or wait for a free consumption spot.
In an effort to maintain public order, 16 area access bans have been issued, with further bans being continuously reviewed. Since the beginning of the knife-carrying ban in April 2024, such a ban has been issued against 179 persons, with 44 violations punished with a €250 fine. Weapons, including knives, firearms, incapacitants, or cash, have been secured or seized 1,613 times, totaling €170,958.
The city of Dortmund is also planning to temporarily relieve the drug consumption area by adding a second location at Rheinische Straße 111. This move aims to continue the interplay between support offers and police presence, displacing visible public drug consumption from the streets into facilities and support services offered by the city.
The ultimate goal is a city centre that offers residents a high quality of life. With the opening of the new sleeping and stay facility, the establishment of the Night Café, and the continuous efforts of the police and city administration, Dortmund is well on its way to achieving this goal.
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