Table of contents
- Berlin
- Bremen
- Dortmund
- Dresden
- Dusseldorf
- Essen
- Frankfurt/Main
- Hamburg
- Cologne
- Leipzig
- Munich, Germany
- Stuttgart
At the turn of the year - Firecracker ban yes or no? What major German cities are planning
Around two weeks before New Year's Eve, politicians and police in Berlin are entering the hot phase of operational planning. On Friday afternoon, Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) informed the interior politicians of all parliamentary groups about the preparations for the upcoming New Year's Eve and the measures to prevent renewed outbreaks of violence. Spranger had previously announced that significantly more police officers would be deployed than a year ago. Back then, there were around 1,300 more police officers than on normal nights. Berlin cannot hope for support from other federal states because the police are needed everywhere on New Year's Eve. However, units are expected from the federal police.
Politicians and police are expecting similar incidents this year as in 2022. The mood in populations of Arab origin in Neukölln and Gesundbrunnen, for example, could also be inflamed by the war in Israel and Gaza.
Which major cities are planning a ban on fireworks:
Extensive pre-planning for the upcoming New Year has been underway in the capital for months. A ban on firecrackers for the entire city is not legally possible by the state of Berlin because it is a federal law.
Berlin
According to media reports, four firecracker ban zones are planned this year: in parts of Neukölln, on Alexanderplatz, in Schöneberg's Steinmetz neighborhood and around the Moabit prison. The ban applies from December 31, 6 pm until January 1, 6 am. It is also forbidden to carry fireworks in the zones. Private fireworks are also not permitted at the big New Year's Eve party at the Brandenburg Gate.
Bremen
"On the basis of a Bremen police order, there will be a ban on firecrackers/rockets in the city center on Schlachte on New Year's Eve (from the Teerhofbrücke to the Bürgermeister-Smidt-Brücke)," says the Bremen Interior Ministry in response to a stern inquiry. "This is because there have been many dangerous situations involving fireworks and large gatherings of people there during New Year's Eve celebrations in previous years. Violations of the police regulations can be punished with a fine of up to 5,000 euros," it said at the turn of the year 22/23 on the Weser.
A decision is still pending for this year, but the health authorities assume that the above-mentioned regulation from the previous year will also apply for the turn of the year 2023/24.
Dortmund
"For the first time since 2016, there will be no extended ban zones for pyrotechnics in Dortmund city center on New Year's Eve 2023," says dortmund.de. The only exception: because the city is hosting a New Year's Eve party on Friedensplatz, fireworks are prohibited there.
Dresden
"Fireworks are prohibited in the immediate vicinity of churches, hospitals, children's homes and old people's homes, as well as next to particularly fire-sensitive buildings or facilities," reads a leaflet from the city in 2019. It refers to a map on which the relevant buildings are marked.
In response to an inquiry from stern, it states: "Beyond this, the public order office of the state capital of Dresden currently has no information that would justify fireworks ban zones under explosives law or other legal bases."
Düsseldorf
In Düsseldorf, fireworks have been banned in the old town since the turn of the year 2016/17. According to the city's announcement, this will also apply at the coming turn of the year: "Düsseldorf's old town with its narrow streets, Burgplatz and the Rhine embankment promenade is traditionally a magnet for many thousands of people who want to welcome in the New Year." Before the ban on firecrackers, many people were injured by falling wooden sticks from rockets. Thanks to the ban, "injuries caused by fireworks have been drastically reduced and excessive effects avoided".
Essen
"As in previous years, the city of Essen has spoken out against a general ban on firecrackers," writes a spokesperson for the city in response to an inquiry from stern. "In connection with the burning of fireworks or the setting off of firecrackers on New Year's Eve, the City of Essen's public order office is also not planning to issue any official regulations. The reason for the decision against a general ban on firecrackers is, among other things, the factual and legal situation, as the legal implementation of a firecracker ban zone in the entire city area or in individual areas presupposes a concrete danger situation, which is not the case."
Frankfurt/Main
In Frankfurt, the authorities are not yet as far along as in other cities. The city wants to announce by Christmas whether and where a ban on fireworks will be imposed. At the start of this year, there was a ban on firecrackers at the Eiserner Steg, a bridge that connects the old town with Sachsenhausen, as well as a ban on weapons at railroad stations and sections of railroad lines.
Hamburg
The Hamburg police have issued a ban on firecrackers around the Binnenalster and on the Rathausmarkt in the center of the Hanseatic city, as an interactive map shows. The order applies from December 31, 2023 from 6 p.m. until January 1, 2024, 1 a.m.
Cologne
"At the turn of the year 2023/24, Cologne will for the first time have a large area in the city center on the left bank of the Rhine where fireworks are not allowed," says stadt-koeln.de. "No pyrotechnic objects with an exclusively firecracker effect, such as New Year's Eve bangers and firecrackers, may be fired between the Rhine and the Ringen (inclusive). Firework rockets and other fireworks that are primarily about visibility are not affected by the regulation. Anyone who fires firecrackers despite the ban must expect a fine of up to 200 euros. The Explosives Act even allows for a fine of up to 50,000 euros."
Leipzig
"According to Leipzig's public order office, no explicit no-fire zones are planned in the city on New Year's Eve," writes a press spokesperson for the city in response to an inquiry from stern. "However, there is a legal ban on the burning of pyrotechnics in the vicinity of specially protected buildings in accordance with Section 23 (1) 1.SprengV, i.e. churches, hospitals, children's and old people's homes. The distances depend on the pyrotechnics used in individual cases."
Munich
"On New Year's Eve, no fireworks may be set off on Marienplatz (in the city center, ed.) and in the pedestrian zone up to and including Stachus, as well as on the Viktualienmarkt," it says on stadt.muenchen.de. "The ban applies from Sunday evening, December 31, 2023, 9 pm, until Monday morning, January 1, 2024, 2 am. The ban is based on a risk forecast by Munich Police Headquarters. All types and categories of pyrotechnics are affected, with the exception of sparklers and firecrackers (category F1). Residents may transport pyrotechnics into their homes or from their homes to an area outside the prohibited zone."
Stuttgart
Stuttgart has also issued a police order banning firecrackers and prohibiting the "carrying and burning of pyrotechnic objects" in the so-called Cityring in Stuttgart city center - from December 31, 2023, 6 p.m. to January 1, 2024, 3 a.m.
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- In Düsseldorf, a ban on fireworks has been in place in the old town since the turn of the year 2016/17, and this will also apply for the upcoming New Year's Eve to avoid injuries caused by fireworks.
- In Bremen, a ban on firecrackers and rockets has been implemented in the city center on Schlachte on New Year's Eve due to dangerous situations involving fireworks and large gatherings of people.
- Iris Spranger, the Interior Senator in Berlin, announced that significantly more police officers would be deployed than in previous years to prevent renewed outbreaks of violence.
- Extensive pre-planning for the upcoming New Year has been underway in Berlin for months, but a ban on firecrackers for the entire city is not legally possible due to federal law.
- According to a spokesperson for Essen, the city has spoken out against a general ban on firecrackers due to the legal implementation of a firecracker ban zone in the entire city area or in individual areas presupposing a concrete danger situation.
- In Dortmund, fireworks are not banned in the city center this New Year's Eve, but fireworks are prohibited at the New Year's Eve party on Friedensplatz due to safety reasons.
- In Frankfurt, the authorities are still deciding whether and where a ban on fireworks will be imposed for New Year's Eve.
- In Cologne, there will be a ban on firecrackers in the left bank of the Rhine city center for the first time to prevent excessive effects and to ensure safety.
- In Hamburg, a ban on firecrackers has been imposed around the Binnenalster and on the Rathausmarkt due to safety concerns.
Source: www.stern.de
