Göttingen Blitzer celebrated as Christmas: Who made the disguise?

Göttingen Blitzer celebrated as Christmas: Who made the disguise?

A short but creative Christmas present for the people of Göttingen: On Christmas Eve, unknown creativity contributed to the Kassler Landstrasse in Göttingen. They transformed a speed camera responsible for policing speeding violations into a festive attraction by attaching a Santa hat and a smiling face to it. Pictures of this blooming speed camera quickly found their way into various group chats, accompanied by the amusing comment “There are no photos today”. But the fun didn't last long: on Christmas Day the happy face was gone, but the hat remained. The Göttingen police confirmed that they had nothing to do with the reversal of the speed camera and that there was no information about the perpetrators who initiated both the disguise and the subsequent revelation.

In the meantime, however, the festive period was overshadowed by less encouraging news. On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, there was damage to property at the Göttingen Christmas market, which created a sad picture. Unknown strangers targeted several stands, tables and the surrounds of the famous Gänseliesel fountain and smeared them with political slogans. Similar actions are taking place in various cities, bringing the discussion about safety at Christmas markets into focus. The police were informed by an employee of a private security service who discovered the graffiti between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. So far there is no information about the perpetrators and the extent of the damage remains unclear. The State Security Commissioner has started the investigation and is calling on witnesses to help. Further information can be obtained by calling 0551/491-2115.

Security at Christmas markets: A hot topic

The incident described at the Christmas market is part of a larger problem. Security at markets is a sensitive issue, especially given the demands placed on organizers. How kommunal.de notes, many cities have revised their security concepts after the events of last year. These include, among other things, structural protective measures against possible vehicle attacks and expanded security services. The responsibility for the safe implementation of these events does not lie solely with the organizers, but is also primarily a state obligation. Despite these necessary measures, which are often costly, deficits continue to arise, which makes it difficult to hold Christmas markets.

The discussion about security costs is getting louder and louder. Examples from other cities show that half-baked security concepts, like those recently in Magdeburg, can lead to Christmas markets being nipped in the bud. In other places, such as Overath, markets also had to be canceled due to financial gaps in security planning. Political demands for greater financial support for security measures are therefore more than justified. The Schwalm-Eder district shows that inter-municipal cooperation can reduce costs and increase safety levels.

While the people of Göttingen were able to enjoy the cheerful speed cameras on Christmas Eve, the incidents at the Christmas market once again highlighted the challenges that security forces and organizers have to face. A creative, but also a worrying situation that shows: During the festive period, the safety of the population remains a central challenge for everyone involved.