Firecracker alarm in Göttingen: residents demand a ban on New Year's Eve!

Firecracker alarm in Göttingen: residents demand a ban on New Year's Eve!

In Göttingen, especially in the Grone-Süd district, there is great concern about the upcoming New Year's Eve celebrations. Residents report that young people are increasingly setting off fireworks and often endangering themselves by throwing them at people. In recent years, these incidents have led to serious escalations with injuries over New Year's Eve and Halloween. To counteract this, the police are planning to increase surveillance of the area around Jonaplatz. This shows how serious the situation is, especially after a survey showed that three quarters of participants clearly rejected the fireworks tradition on New Year's Eve in Göttingen. The legal framework is clear: a federal law plus local regulations determine where and when fireworks can be set off, and violations can be punished with fines daily news reported.

The debate about how to deal with fireworks is becoming increasingly heated in German cities. Some major cities have already imposed a ban on private fireworks displays on New Year's Eve. The reasons are varied: In addition to the risk of injury to the population, animal welfare organizations also point out the stress on pets. The German Animal Welfare Association recommends keeping animals indoors on New Year's Eve to prevent them from experiencing anxiety or outbursts of aggression. A ban could reduce the number of injuries by at least 25 percent, as the President of the German Society for Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery states. Nevertheless, interior ministers of the federal states reject a general ban, although local restrictions are possible from the municipalities, reports MDR.

Dangers on thin ice

While New Year's Eve preparations are in full swing, there are also other concerns in Göttingen. The Göttingen Kiessee has an ice cover, but it is far too thin to skate on safely. For a safe ice surface you need at least 13 centimeters thick ice, which is not available in this winter period. The police warn urgently about the dangers that rash activities on the ice bring with them. In addition, cyclists are switching to the main road due to a closed bridge on the L564 near Niedernjesa, a risky undertaking. The signposted 4.5 kilometer detour is rarely used and so far there is no solution for the closed bridge.

Tradition or risk?

A look at the tradition behind the New Year's Eve fireworks shows that many people want to hold on to this tradition. The pyrotechnic industry emphasizes that fireworks on New Year's Eve are not only a tradition, but also have economic importance. However, there is growing pressure to rethink nocturnal overindulgence, particularly in light of the risk of injury and environmental impact. German Environmental Aid is calling for a ban on private New Year's Eve fireworks, while arrangements for central fireworks displays in large gatherings of people are also being discussed. How Göttingen Tageblatt notes, the question of whether a balance can be found between tradition and security remains current and challenging.

Overall, it is clear that both the dangers posed by fireworks and the unsecured ice surface in Göttingen require action. Citizens are required to deal with these challenges responsibly, while local authorities must work on solutions to ensure a safe environment for everyone.