Lohne Citizens´ Initiative (PRL Scheme)

 With 4 research group aims: prevention of violence, prevention through social integration, prevention of drug addiction and crime prevention using technology.

Some citizens and visitors from other cities would like to know more about the PRL scheme. They ask if Lohne really needs the PRL scheme, observing that living in the town seems pleasant and peaceful. “Are there many problems with violence, petty crimes, drug addiction and other social problems….? “ Hans Georg Niesel, chairman of the PRL Scheme and Mayor of Lohne, had the answers to these questions:

“In Lohne we don’t have any more problems than in other cities, but we tackle them. What use is it having the best working environments, if our citizens do not feel safe and confident”?

The PRL scheme was founded in 1997, not due to an outbreak of serious, spectacular crime, but rather with the aim to prevent smaller grievances and civil aberrations. We want all citizens, young and old, to feel good about living and working in Lohne, and to be free from petty crime or anti-social behaviour, now and in the future. “We feel that it is imperative to prevent American-type violence and disregard for the law before it is to late” († Dr. E. Supe, Vechta Academy). In the meantime, 120 citizens are working for the PRL scheme in a voluntary capacity, to prevent the negative health and social effects caused by drug addiction, violence, intimidation and so on. The Prevention Council of Lohne (PRL Scheme) founds their projects around the prevention of drug addiction and violent crime, underpinned by the following research-based objectives:

  • Character-building – the earlier the better
  • Confidence-building
  • Enhancing the educational competence of both parents and teachers

The Lohne Prevention Council pursues these objectives in several age-banded projects that involve 1,000 children, their parents, and teachers annually. For example, one of these projects is entitled “Of course I can do this” and covered all 5 school years in every school in Lohne.

Current activities include the following:

  • “Social training“ and “Garage technical workshop” in Classes 5 and 6
  • Interactive play “Of course I can do this” in Class 7 of all schools in Lohne
  • Performance of the play for parents and teachers
  • Text readings from the play
  • Impression work shop after 3 months in several 7 th grade classes: “I take responsibility for myself and others“
  • Parent-teacher conference in all 7 th grade classes “Gateway drugs and laws for the protection of the young“
  • Regular teacher retraining: “Lions-Quest-character-formation for students of Classes 5-10“
  • Topic “Values“ in 8 th grade classes (educational plan) with religion / biology themes in connection with a conversation with a drug-addicted youth (D.-B.- Clinic Ahlhorn)
  • Parent-teacher conference in Class 8 also with patients of the D.-B.- Clinic Ahlhorn
  • Public relations
  • Continuous advancement of the PRL scheme concepts

If you would like more information about the Lohne Prevention Council (PRL Scheme) please have a look at the following web site www.praeventionsrat-lohne.de