Security concept for Potsdam: Prevent chaos on New Year's Eve!

Security concept for Potsdam: Prevent chaos on New Year's Eve!

New Year's Eve is just around the corner and the Potsdam city administration has rolled up its sleeves: a new security concept for the upcoming celebration has been developed. The preventative package of measures will be presented to city councilors next week. The city is preparing for possible disruptions, which have apparently increased in recent years. Security forces will be present on buses and trains to protect both passengers and employees.

But what exactly is this concept all about? In addition to the increased police presence and a disruption to local transport between 11:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., there will even be a break in the Babelsberg district until around 1:30 a.m. The aim is to increase security during the celebrations after frequent incidents in recent years. Fireworks were thrown at vehicles and stops were damaged. Places such as the Old Market and Johannes-Kepler-Platz were particularly affected.

A look at the damage

A look beyond Potsdam's borders shows that the problems are not unique. In Saxony there was significant damage caused by pyrotechnics on New Year's Eve 2024/2025. The Leipzig area was particularly affected. Police departments report burnt balconies and destroyed public facilities, such as a pavilion in the center. A ticket machine in Schkeuditz is said to have caused damage amounting to 80,000 euros. The Federal Association for Pyrotechnics blames politicians for these incidents and criticizes that not enough is being done to combat illegal trade.

The debate about how to handle fireworks is getting louder again. Doctors have long been calling for a general ban on private New Year's Eve fireworks, while animal protection organizations have been calling for a ban for years.

A safe celebration?

In Potsdam, however, the city administration sees such bans as impractical. There is no prospect of a zone banning firecrackers as there is no legal basis for this. However, pyrotechnic objects may not be fired near places that require special protection, such as churches or hospitals. If there were massive attacks with fireworks, a city-wide ban could be considered, but so far there have been no corresponding dangers.

So preparations are in full swing to make New Year's Eve 2025/2026 safe and good. Looking back at the events of the past few years certainly adds to the seriousness of this. The police counted 138 operations last year - a worrying increase of 50 percent compared to the previous year. It remains to be seen how the new strategy will prove itself in practice and whether it will provide the security hoped for.

The difficulties in dealing with pyrotechnic articles will certainly remain an issue that concerns society. Those affected agree that safety and health must be the top priority. How the city of Potsdam will respond to the challenges remains exciting. If the new security concept takes effect, it could show that those responsible have a good hand. Only time will tell whether this is the case.

It is clear to the people of Potsdam that they have to prepare for a New Year's Eve with many new measures. The implementation of the security concept could send an important signal.