- Increased police presence shifts from wine market to sausage market in Solingen
Festival-goers in Rhineland-Palatinate can anticipate seeing more uniformed law enforcement officers at events. This is a reaction to the fatal knife attack at a folk festival in Solingen, which tragically claimed three lives and left eight injured. The SPD's Minister President, Alexander Schweitzer, announced this measure as a way to bolster public confidence and deter potential wrongdoers.
The harrowing incident has placed security at events at the forefront of discussions. For instance, the organizers of the Mainz Wine Market have recently revisited security concerns, as reported by Rinaldo Roberto, spokesperson for the Mainz Police Presidency. Similarly, the world's largest wine festival, the Wurstmarkt in Bad Dürkheim, is also reviewing its security measures.
A heightened police presence
The security plans that have been jointly developed with event organizers and other relevant parties already take into account potential attacks and significant damage scenarios. According to Roberto, these plans do not require an immediate revision. These plans have been developed over time and are consistently updated and reviewed before events.
These plans also specify guidelines for regular information exchanges between all responsible parties. These exchanges occur not only before events but also during ongoing festivities, such as what currently takes place at the Worms Backfisch Festival.
It is unquestionable that police presence at events will increase following Solingen. Interior Minister Michael Ebling (SPD) had previously indicated as much. Roberto added that, in addition to an increased presence, officers will also undergo sensitivity training to ensure their readiness to serve the public.
The Mainz Mayor, Nino Haase (independent), underscored the commitment of Rhineland-Palatinate's capital city to security at events. According to Haase, every event must have an individual security plan, which is developed in collaboration with local authorities, the police, and organizers. Mainz has even established a central coordination office for all types of events for several years.
Surveillance and security services
The city of Worms, which hosts the large Backfisch Festival, expressed shock over the events in Solingen and promptly reconnected with law enforcement. The festival's security plan is already robust, having proven effective in previous years.
Unlike Solingen, the Backfisch Festival boasts a limited number of entry points, all of which are secured by a private security service. The security service manages admissions and keeps constant watch over the festival site and its surroundings with the help of police and municipal enforcement officers. The festival area is also monitored by video cameras.
The city of Worms operates a command center called 'Herzstück,' where police, city officials, and event organizers maintain a constant presence. Regularly, firefighters and emergency services visit to remain informed about the overall situation, reflecting a strong tradition of cooperation in Worms.
Similarly, the city of Bad Dürkheim, which hosts the traditional Wurstmarkt with hundreds of thousands of visitors in September, emphasizes safety as their top priority. They maintain regular communication with security authorities and adjusted their security plan based on the current threat level last year. If further recommendations emerge from the authorities, the city will promptly implement them.
Random checks
The organizers of the Festival of German Film in Ludwigshafen mentioned that between 2,000 and 3,000 visitors frequent the site at any given time. To address feelings of security and prevent potential incidents, they will now conduct random bag checks at the entrance and restrict access, according to their announcement. Although the police see no immediate threat, they will also increase their presence on weekends.
Warning Against Overheated Debate
Despite the intense emotions surrounding the tragic attack, Minister President Schweitzer advised against an escalating discourse. He urged the investigation to not result in further erosion of support for the fundamental right to asylum. A democratic consensus on issues such as deportation and immigration limits is necessary.
Messer Attack in Solingen
The tragic knife attack in Solingen, North Rhine-Westphalia, on Friday left three dead. The Federal Prosecutor's Office has taken up the investigation and is focusing on a 26-year-old Syrian suspect for murder and membership in the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS). The suspect is currently in custody. He was meant to be deported to Bulgaria last year, but the plans did not materialize.
Solingen in the State Election Campaign
Cases like these, involving deportation issues, are not exclusive to North Rhine-Westphalia, according to Schweitzer. The investigation is not just a concern for Solingen but involves the entire country. He anticipates that the events in Solingen will play a significant role in Rhineland-Palatinate's state election campaign. The attack is considered a terrorist act and will continue to command attention.
In light of the tragic knife attack at the folk festival in Solingen, the organizers of the Mainz Wine Market have revisited their security concerns, recognizing the need to bolster event safety. As a result, the world's largest wine festival, the Wurstmarkt in Bad Dürkheim, is also reviewing its security measures to ensure the safety of its visitors.
In an effort to boost public confidence and deter potential wrongdoers, the Mainz Mayor, Nino Haase (independent), has emphasized that every event in Mainz must have an individual security plan, developed in collaboration with local authorities, the police, and organizers.
