Attack on street festival in Bad Freienwalde: Police sound the alarm!

Attack on street festival in Bad Freienwalde: Police sound the alarm!

In Bad Freienwalde, an attack on a street festival caused a stir and exposed a growing problem in the region. The police speak of a “new quality” of such incidents, which are increasingly affecting citizens’ sense of security. The incident, which occurred during the popular festival, not only brought the city residents to the scene, but also the law enforcement officers, who have now announced increased measures. [Spiegel] reports that the suspected perpetrators have already been arrested and the investigation is in full swing.

In recent years, security authorities have observed a change in crime trends, particularly with regard to violent crimes. Police crime statistics (PKS) show a general decline in crime of 1.7% in Germany to around 5.84 million cases in 2024. However, this decline can be explained primarily by fewer cannabis offenses as a result of partial legalization. Nevertheless, the number of crimes affecting citizens' sense of security is increasing worryingly. [Statista] finds that the most common crimes in 2024 include theft, property and counterfeit crimes, and brutality crimes.

Problem of growing violence

The attack in Bad Freienwalde made it particularly clear how tense the situation is in some local communities. Police have already taken measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Additional patrols and preventive discussions with residents are intended to strengthen the feeling of security. It is important to educate the population about the dangers in order to be able to act preventively. A police officer revealed that such incidents are occurring more and more frequently and it is time to raise awareness among citizens.

If the nationwide statistics are taken into account, it becomes clear that similar tendencies are also observed in other cities such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. Here the risk of becoming a victim of a crime is significantly higher. According to the PKS, there are also differences between rural areas and urban regions, with attacks occurring particularly frequently in city states such as Berlin or Hamburg.

A look at the number games

The numbers are frightening: in 2024, around 285 people were murdered and almost 42,800 victims of sexual crimes were registered. In addition, the clearance rate was 58%, which was down slightly compared to the previous year, but shows that not all offenses are punished. The latest statistics also reveal an increase in non-German suspects to 41.8% - another aspect that security authorities need to take a closer look at.

The incident in Bad Freienwalde not only raises questions about security, but also presents the departments with new challenges because they have to regain the trust of the citizens. Current events are likely to make it difficult to reassure people, especially given global developments that may also influence local crime. For the police and the city administration, increasing the presence and better education of the population remains the priority in order to ensure safe and harmonious coexistence again.

The situation in Bad Freienwalde clearly shows how important it is for those responsible in the security sector to be vigilant and to involve the population in efforts to ensure a safe environment. Change requires collaboration – not just between police and politicians, but with every single citizen.