Dear Visitor,
We are pleased that you are interested in video surveillance and would like to share some detailed information about this device:
Why video surveillance?
Firstly, we would like to note that video surveillance in public space is part of a comprehensive overall safety concept and serves your own security. The usage of video technology is not aimed at the observation of concrete individuals but at expeditious protection in case of danger and at the swift identification of delinquents. Experience over the past years has shown that some areas have clearly more criminal offences. Due to this finding the police headquarters and the municipal administration in Mannheim decided to observe this location with video technology in line with § 44 Abs. 3 and 10 of the police laws Baden-Württemberg (PolG BW). Our goal is to recognise imminent dangers for you and others as fast as possible and to react at once if necessary.
What is under video surveillance?
Video surveillance in line with § 44 Abs. 3 PolG BW is only allowed in public space. Domiciles and other private areas do not get recorded by video surveillance.
How long is the conservation period for the storage of data?
The recorded images get transferred to the police headquarters Mannheim, are stored there for a maximum of 72 hours and then automatically get deleted. The storage of data for a longer period only takes place by way of exception in line with § 44 Abs. 10 Satz 2 PolG BW, especially if the camera recorded a criminal offense.
Does the data get automatically analysed?
Besides conventional monitor observation by police officers at the police headquarters Mannheim an automatic analysis of recordings by the police is planned, initially complemental (so-called algorithm-based image analysis in line with § 44 Abs. 4 PolG BW). This means that in the localities where conventional surveillance takes place an automatic image analysis will gradually follow. The video recordings will automatically be filtered by a software according to movement patterns which suggest a criminal offense. Initially, these movement patterns could be paraphrased with behaviours like beating or kicking. If such a movement pattern is recognised, police officers at the monitor evaluate the facts of the case and immediately initiate the necessary measures. The automatic image analysis supports the observing police officers in order to improve your safety and quality of life in public space. The start-up operation of the automatic image analysis is operated at the station forecourt in Mannheim and the area of the Paradeplatz since November 2018. The intelligent video surveillance have been extended to the areas of the southern “Breite Straße” (Paradeplatz to Marktplatz), Marktplatz Mannheim and the northern “Breite Straße” (Marktplatz to Neckartor). Since October 2020, automatic video analysis has been carried out in the ‚Alter Messplatz‘ area.
We will keep you up to date if the automatic image analysis gets applied in additional surveillance areas.
Further Questions about data protection?
E-Mail: mannheim.pp.bdsb@polizei.bwl.de