Fireworks
Police and fire brigade appeal: “Don’t attack us”
Last year, rescue workers in Berlin were deliberately lured into suspected ambushes, according to Berlin police chief Barbara Slowik. photo
© Julius-Christian Schreiner/TNN/dpa
Last year, attacks on emergency services on New Year’s Eve in Berlin caused outrage across the country. This year the police ordered reinforcements – and warned of the consequences in a video.
“Please respect our work. Give us enough space to do it. And follow our instructions,” it continues. “Don’t attack us. Don’t shoot us with firecrackers, rockets or blank guns. You’re committing a criminal offense and you could face several years in prison.” The three people involved appeal: “So don’t ruin your future. And respect us, the people who are there for you and your families.”
During the sale, fireworks of the F2 category are officially available in stores on three days – these are firecrackers, rockets and fireworks batteries. The police have already pointed out in advance that there are no firecracker zones on New Year’s Eve. These are located on Alexanderplatz, in the Steinmetzkiez area in Schöneberg and on part of Sonnenallee and adjacent side streets. The ban applies from New Year’s Eve at 6 p.m. until New Year’s Day at 6 a.m.
Largest police operation in Berlin in decades
Last year, incidents caused nationwide outrage – in the capital, rescue workers were deliberately lured into suspected ambushes, according to Berlin Police Chief Barbara Slowik. In Berlin, at the turn of the year, there is the largest police operation on New Year’s Eve in decades, and many police officers are also expected to ensure security in other cities.
The Berlin fire department considers itself well prepared. Fire brigade spokesman Vinzenz Kasch said on RBB24 Inforadio that after the attacks last year, projects were initiated with young people in the affected neighborhoods and cooperation with the police was intensified.
“We can assume that there will be scenes like last year again – but we have positioned ourselves differently now, in coordination with the police, in informing our own emergency services,” said Kasch.