Drunk Tanks in Zürich Zürich Approach on Taking Care of Intoxicated Persons in the City Centre

Drunk Tanks in Zürich Zürich Approach on Taking Care of Intoxicated

Persons in the City Centre

Rebekka Hofmann, M.A.Zürich Police DepartmentProject Leader

Stadt Zürich European Conference on Alcohol Law Enforcement15/16 November 2012 in Stockholm page 2

Agenda

1. About Zürich2. Legal Framework3. The Drunk Tank4. Facts and Figures5. Summary6. Future



1. About Zürich

Largest city in Switzerland Resident population: 390’100 Share foreign nationals: 31% Population growth 2001-2010: 8% Unemployment rate: 3.4%


The Metropolitan Area of Zürich

1.9 Mio. inhabitants 236 Communes in 8 Cantons 900‘000 jobs 37% of the Swiss GDP 67% of the Top-1000-companies in Switzerland


Going out in Zürich – 2000 gastronomic establishments

– 640 night bars– 600 bars with out-door

area– 100 clubs for > 200 guests– Public transportation at

night on weekends


Consequences of Zürich’s vivid night life

– Crime increase at night on weekends

– Increase of complaints about noise on weekends

– Increase of littering and vandalism


City Council and City Administration

City Council 9 members, including the mayor

City Administration 9 departments Each department has a member of the City Council as its head

Zürich City Police A division of the Police Department ZürichArmed 1464unarmed 168civilians 489Total 2121


City Council’s Delegation on Issues in the Public SpaceStrategy development and solution-finding regarding issues in the public space, amongst others:Utilization of the public spaceJuvenile violenceProstitutionDrugsAlcohol

This delegation is a cooperation of 4 Departments:Police DepartmentDepartment for Social AffairsDepartment of HealthDepartment of Education


Goals of the Project “Zürich Drunk Tanks”

to take intoxicated (alcohol, drugs, etc.) people in the public space into police custody;

to sober them up while being monitored by a medical staff;

to relief emergency departments, the fire brigade and police forces;

to charge the security costs to the person responsible.

Cooperation between the Health and the Police Department


2. Legal Framework

Cantonal Police Law: “The police is allowed to take people into custody, who are a serious and imminent endangerment to self or others.”

others: humans, animals, properties


No Drunk Tank Clients…

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http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/2008/02/080210094643-large.jpg


… Potential Drunk Tank Clients

endangerment to self or others (humans, animals, properties) because of their condition (alcohol, drugs, etc.)


Reimbursement of Costs

Cantonal Police Law: “The police is allowed to charge the security costs to the person responsible if he/she acted willfully or with high negligence.”


Reimbursement of Costs

Medical costs are paid by his/her health insurance.

Security costs only will be passed on to clients.

Fees of the stay:For a duration of stay > 3 h) CHF 950For a duration of stay < 3 h) CHF 600


3. The Drunk Tank: Operation process


Players


Drunk Tank


Drunk Tank


Pink Drunk Tank

Can pink drunk tanks calm violent clients?

Zürich has one pink drunk tank but there is no evidence yet if it helps or not.


Security Assistance

Helps when client arrives Handles the checkpoint


Security Assistance

Continuous monitoringResponsible for safety and security of the medical staff Minor cleaning


Police officer in charge

Takes final decision about custody

Registers client Supervises the process


Immediate medical check on entrance

Constant medical supervision

Medical Care


Medical Care

Risks of intoxicated clients: Problems with blood pressure / circulation problems Cognitive dysfunction Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level) Hypothermia Psychotic disorder Injuries (sometimes invisible) State of health can change into critical condition quickly

Unconscious clients, suspicion of internal bleeding, fracture and/or craniocerebral injury need to be hospitalized.

Hospitalization: only about 7% of all drunk tank clients.


Counsellingsip (security intervention prevention)sip combines street work with public order services

sip is always mobilized when minors or youths are taken into custody:They look after them and/or contact their parents.Later on, they organize a specific follow-up of those clients.


Evaluation of the first 2 years of the project:

March 2010 until April 2012: 112 weekends open on Friday and Saturday nights

4. Facts and Figures


Total Number and Sex of Clients


- youngest client: 17.2 years (f) / 14.2 years (m)

- oldest client: 72.2 years (f) / 79.5 years (m)

Age of Clients


Duration of Stay


50% of all the invoices are being paid

30% of all the invoices are not yet being paid (reminders etc.)

20% written off invoices (not claimable because missing address etc.)

Invoice


5. Summary

Positive: Pioneer project in Switzerland Other Cantons in Switzerland are interested City Council, police and health institutions fully support the drunk

tanks Excellent cooperation between the police and health institutions

(learning from each other) Clear decrease of incidents of aggression in the city’s hospitals Relief for the Police: Patrol available for its core business


5. Summary

Challenges: Operational level:

- difficult clients- staff- “backoffice”: billing, documentation etc.

Political discussion: - Some political parties fight against the Drunk Tanks - What are the limits of public service? - Implementation? - Self-responsibility of citizens?

The media


6. Future of the Drunk Tanks in Zürich Project budget until March 2015

Parliament or popular vote will decide about the implementation

Extension of opening hours (open every night) from 1/1/2013

Standby solution for emergency-duties during the day

Cooperation with the Cantonal Police

Fees might change


Questions / Remarks

[email protected]

Documents

Drunk Tanks in Zürich Zürich Approach on Taking Care of Intoxicated Persons in the City Centre