Cologne is set to welcome the New Year with heightened security measures as authorities prepare for the influx of celebrants on Silvester night. With thousands expected to gather, the Cologne Police have outlined their strategy to maintain order during the festivities.
On December 31, 2023, several hundred officers will be deployed throughout key areas, focusing on popular nightlife spots such as the Zülpicher Viertel and the Altstadt, as well as the area surrounding the Cathedral and the Rhine Boulevard. The police will also have additional personnel stationed at ready, with reinforcements from the riot police to support the initiative.
To bolster safety, the police will implement comprehensive identity checks across the left bank of the city center from 6 PM to 6 AM on New Year's Day. This protocol allows officers to stop and inspect individuals without any specific suspicion, addressing the heightened sense of risk, especially following incidents like the tragic Christmas market attack last year.
Alongside public safety measures, officials have reinstated no-fireworks zones across Cologne to protect citizens, emergency services, and especially animals from the hazards associated with fireworks. This decision follows positive reports from the previous year, where incidents of injuries and emergency calls significantly decreased.
Yet, as celebrations prompt the launch of fireworks, the Köln-Zollstock Animal Shelter has voiced strong concerns about the impact on animals. Posting on Instagram, they highlighted the intense stress and fear fireworks induce not just in household pets but also wild animals. "Silvester 2023/2024 sind deutschlandweit 457 gezählte Hunde entlaufen," they reported, noting the startling number of dogs who fled their homes due to the loud noise and chaotic environment. A year prior, the statistics were even bleaker, with 667 missing dogs and 500 vanished cats. The organization warns these figures could represent just the tip of the iceberg, as many cases go unreported.
The shelter emphasized, "Es gibt leider genug Idioten, die witzig finden, was andere quält," underscoring their frustration with those who prioritize their enjoyment over the welfare of animals. The cracks of explosions trigger panic attacks in various pets, as well as farm animals like horses, rabbits, birds, and more. The shelter advises pet owners to keep their animals secured indoors, stating, "Für eine Freigängerkatze sind einige Tage 'Stubenarrest' besser als draußen dem Feuerwerk ausgesetzt zu sein – oder Schlimmerem." This advice is rooted not just in protecting pets but extending to keeping all animals away from the thunderous din of celebratory fireworks.
Further amplifying their message, the shelter noted the less visible casualties among wildlife, proclaiming, "Unzählige Wildtiere werden jedes Jahr verletzt oder sterben wegen unseres Vergnügens." It is clear the human desire for celebration this Silvester presents very real hazards for many creatures, both domesticated and wild, leading to ecological ramifications as well.
The Köln-Zollstock team expressed disbelief at the sight of people firing off fireworks days before the official festivities commence, critiquing such behavior as irresponsible and selfish. With the public health directive enabling the use of specific no-firework zones, they stress the importance of celebrating responsibly and considering the fallout of what should be joyous events.
While the Polizei Köln implements stringent measures for crowd control and safety monitoring, animal rights advocates continue to push for compassion and moderation during celebrations. The stark need for balance between human festivities and animal welfare has never felt more pressing, especially as Cologne gears up for another vibrant New Year's Eve.
With the approaching New Year, citizens are urged to reflect on how their celebrations can coexist more harmoniously with the needs of animals and the surrounding environment. The choices made during these festive occasions can significantly influence not just human experience but the well-being of countless creatures living within our community and beyond.
