Police and politicians have warned of new riots on New Year’s Eve and called for solidarity with the emergency services. Interior Minister Faeser sees an additional danger from the heated mood due to the Middle East war.
Before the turn of the year, there is growing concern about renewed riots and attacks on the police and fire departments. The Association of German Criminal Police Officers (BDK) asked for support from the population. The emergency services needed “support and solidarity from the local population,” said BDK chairman Dirk Peglow to the Funke newspapers.
If attackers attack the emergency services, for example with firecrackers or bottles, then it is “important that passers-by verbally defend themselves against this violence and express their displeasure.” This can “de-escalate” situations.
“Attack on our democratic society”
On New Year’s Eve a year ago, emergency and rescue workers in Berlin and other cities were massively attacked. In some cases the police had to be deployed to protect firefighters from attacks while extinguishing fires.
Similar riots are feared this year, and the city council is also alarmed. “We have to do everything we can to ensure that outbreaks of violence against rescue workers, firefighters and police on New Year’s Eve are not repeated,” said City Council President Markus Lewe to the RND newspapers.
“Attacking firefighters and firemen and firing firecrackers and rockets at rescue vehicles is an attack on our democratic society and every individual,” emphasized Lewe.
City council calls for more use of body cameras and dash cams
The Association of Cities appeals to the states to “create the legal framework to make greater and targeted use of body cameras and dash cameras,” said the CDU politician. These cameras could help to de-escalate critical situations, deter attackers and make it easier to preserve evidence.
The emergency services should also receive more training and qualifications in dealing with outbreaks of violence, Lewe continued. There is also a need for sufficient care and support services after experiences of violence for rescue workers, fire departments and police. Preventive social policy measures are also necessary all year round.
The “riot makers” must feel the consequences of their actions promptly, said the President of the City Council. “Therefore, the law enforcement and judicial authorities must be staffed and organized in such a way that they can punish crimes effectively and quickly, especially among teenagers and young adults.”
Faeser warns of riots fueled by the Middle East war
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser also recently warned of renewed violent riots in several cities. “I’m worried that New Year’s Eve could again be a day when in some cities we have to experience blind anger and senseless violence, for example against police officers or rescue workers,” she said.
The SPD politician also warned that the riots on New Year’s Eve could be further fueled by the Middle East war and pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Berlin: Large quantities of illegal pyrotechnics confiscated
As public prosecutors and police in Berlin announced on Friday, three-digit kilograms of pyrotechnics were confiscated from two suspects, including around 30,000 firecrackers, almost 100 firecrackers and more than 80 so-called ball bombs.
A 42-year-old is said to have sold the illegal fireworks on Instagram with his sons, aged 14 and 16.
The police have “an indication that, among other things, the action-oriented pro-Palestinian scene” could have supplied itself with illegal pyrotechnics via Internet shops. There is a suspicion that the pyrotechnics on offer could be used against “Berlin emergency services” “in particular” on New Year’s Eve, the authorities said.
In addition to the pyrotechnics, the investigators found around 50,000 euros in cash, cell phones and laptops as well as – almost as a coincidence find, as it was said – counterfeit brand clothing.
Eva Ellermann, ARD Berlin, tagesschau, December 23, 2023 10:45 a.m