Property Damage and Racism in Dortmund

Dortmund is a very vibrant city in the heart of the Ruhr region. Just as colourful as the blooms in the Rosarium at Westfalenpark, the population is equally diverse. In Dortmund, many different nations meet, bringing with them differing mentalities and perspectives. For a long time, Dortmund could proudly highlight its multicultural population, yet unfortunately, even today (2014) – 70 years after National Socialism – there remain those unwilling to learn, as the following example from 2012 illustrates:

Xenophobic Attacks at a Street Festival in Dortmund

A street festival in a Dortmund suburb, which one of our detectives regularly attends and is therefore familiar with the following incidents: Twice a year, from Thursday to Sunday, the market square and pedestrian zone are filled with carousels, beverage stalls, sausage stands, lottery booths, and two stages for live music. The Saturday weekly market must move onto the streets leading to the market square, which had never been a problem until September 2012. However, at the autumn edition that year, a Turkish family participated for the first time as exhibitors. They had set up a pavilion at the edge of the market square in the pedestrian zone to sell Turkish specialties (lahmacun, salads, and so on). Thursday and Friday passed without incident, but on Saturday morning, when the family went to their stand, they found a fishmonger’s sales trailer in its place. The Turkish family’s pavilion – including all items inside such as pans, bowls, and paper plates – had been thrown onto a construction plot behind the stall. The exhibitors who had their stands to the left and right of the Turkish family, of course, had not been “moved.”

No Assistance from City Authorities

The Turkish family addressed the fishmonger, but he simply replied that if it was market day, he always stood there. When the family informed him in perfect German that they would call the police and demand compensation, the fishmonger threatened that they would never be able to set up a stand at the street festival in that district again, as it would be destroyed anyway. The family contacted the festival organiser, who referred them to “the responsible city administration” in charge of allocating the stands. On the following Monday, the family approached this office, but the city official declared herself responsible only for the financial aspect: the stand allocations had indeed been made by the administration, but the family would have to manage the rest themselves and ensure they could occupy their stand. At least, however, the official refunded the stand fees.

Threats and Intimidation

Our fellow citizens of Turkish descent attempted to contact several other market traders, indicating that they would involve the police. However, they were so threatened and intimidated by these traders that they reluctantly abandoned filing a report and have not operated a stand at the street festival since. Specifically, the family was threatened that their kiosk, also located in the same suburb, would be “set on fire” if they reported the incident. They were told that it would be better for them to leave the district. Unfortunately, our Dortmund private detective only became aware of these events afterwards, otherwise he would certainly have helped. At least there have been no serious incidents against the affected family and their business since.

Discreet Problem Resolution by Dortmund Detectives

If you or your loved ones have fallen victim to xenophobic or homophobic attacks and are being persistently harassed, the detectives of Kurtz Investigations Dortmund provide assistance with the utmost discretion in resolving the issue. Seek advice – we will find a way to help: +49 231 8401 0065.

Of course, we are also happy to assist victims of property damage whose property has been harmed for other reasons.