Picture: Austrian Security Platform & Violence Monitor Pro Police Austria (Europe Pro Police)
In the aftermath of the social unrest waves of 2020, European cities faced a combination of challenges rarely seen in recent decades. Pandemic restrictions, large-scale protest movements, rising street violence and growing polarisation on digital platforms fundamentally altered the perception of urban security.
Against this backdrop, a new civic initiative emerged in the German-speaking region: the Austrian & German Security Forum and the associated Pro Police movement. Its core objective was not political mobilisation, but the creation of a structured public debate around urban safety, policing, social cohesion and democratic order.
The initiative was designed as a cross-border platform, connecting civil actors, media contributors and professional stakeholders from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, South Tyrol (Italy) and Liechtenstein — regions that share not only language, but similar legal traditions and public security frameworks.
Redefining the Smart City Through Security
One of the central ideas behind the initiative was a redefinition of the “smart city” concept. While global rankings often focus on digital infrastructure, innovation hubs and technological services, the forum argued that urban intelligence cannot be separated from public safety.
According to this perspective, a city that fails to guarantee basic security, rule of law and social stability cannot be considered truly advanced — regardless of its technological achievements. Security was framed not as a limitation of freedom, but as the foundation that allows social participation, economic development and democratic expression to function.
Civic Support for Democratic Policing
A key component of the movement was its focus on strengthening public trust in democratic police institutions. Across Europe, police forces operate under constitutional mandates, parliamentary oversight and legal accountability mechanisms. The initiative emphasised that this model represents one of the strongest safeguards against authoritarian control and informal street power structures.
Rather than promoting confrontation, the forum positioned itself as a civic counterweight to radicalisation, vandalism-driven protest tactics and the instrumentalisation of public assemblies for violent escalation. Its message remained consistent: public order should remain in the hands of professional, accountable law enforcement — not informal street groups or ideological pressure movements.
From National Platform to European Network
One year later in 2021, the initiative expanded beyond national borders with the initiative Europe Pro Police, a pan-European framework designed to coordinate civic dialogue on policing, urban stability and security governance.
This expansion reflected a shared concern across multiple European countries: persistent street unrest, attacks on emergency services and the erosion of institutional trust were increasingly perceived as systemic risks to democratic resilience. By connecting regional networks, the initiative aimed to strengthen cooperation, information exchange and public engagement across borders.
Five Years Later: From Movement to Civic Media Infrastructure
Five years after its launch, the civic initiative remains active and operational. Rather than fading after the peak of crisis-driven attention, it expanded its scope and institutional presence.
One of the most visible outcomes was the creation of a dedicated German-language security and police publication, the Austrian Security Observer (Sicherheit-Zeitung AT). The platform has become one of Europe’s most prominent examples of citizen-driven security journalism, combining public reporting, institutional monitoring, podcasting, community, reporting-network, and civic engagement around policing and public safety.
Its development reflects a broader trend: civic initiatives are increasingly evolving into long-term media infrastructures that shape public discourse, provide independent oversight and contribute to democratic transparency.
Security as Democratic Infrastructure
At its core, the movement framed security not as a political slogan, but as democratic infrastructure. Stable cities depend on predictable legal enforcement, professional policing and public cooperation. When this balance collapses, economic activity suffers, social trust erodes and vulnerable groups face increased risks.
The central argument remains unchanged: democracy cannot function where public space is controlled by intimidation, violence or parallel power structures. Maintaining civil order through accountable policing is not a restriction of freedom — it is the condition that protects it.
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