Lübeck has faced significant safety concerns following alarming incidents during the recent New Year’s Eve celebrations, as clashes and vandalism erupted, raising alarms among local political figures and law enforcement.
The celebrations on December 31, 2024, saw violent acts, particularly in the Behaimring area, where emergency personnel came under fire from firework projectiles. According to Silke Mählenhoff, security policy spokesperson for the Green Party, "Blickt man auf die Vorfälle in anderen Städten, ist Lübeck in diesem Jahr noch einmal verhältnismäßig glimpflich davon gekommen, zumindest gab es keine Toten und keine großen Schäden zu beklagen." This statement reflects not only gratitude for the absence of fatalities but also recognizes the need for immediate changes to prevent such incidents.
The night turned tumultuous as over 50 people reportedly threw fireworks at both police officers and bystanders, creating dangerous situations and endangering public safety. The police were deployed with around 30 officers to mitigate the chaos, which included burning trash containers and tires pushed onto the road. This led to significant delays in firefighting efforts during the outbreak of violence. Jens Zimmermann, the deputy chairman of the Lübeck CDU, expressed outrage, stating, "Es kann nicht sein, dass wir Jahr für Jahr die gleichen Bilder von Straßenschlachten und Angriffen auf Rettungskräfte erleben."
Following these events, Mählenhoff and her party have urged for the organization of controlled and professionally managed fireworks displays as a safer alternative. "Wir plädieren deshalb für von Profihand durchgeführte Feuerwerke oder Lasershows..." she emphasized the importance of safety and professionalism, highlighting Denmark’s approach where such measures are standard.
Birte Duggen, another Green Party member, weighed heavily on the negative impact of these unregulated events, saying, "Tonnenweise Müll, Luftverschmutzung und Feinstaub, Lärmbelästigung, Gesundheitsgefahren für beeinträchtigte Menschen…" She noted the plethora of issues caused by the reckless use of fireworks, including public health threats and trauma for those affected by conflict, as well as impacts on pets and wildlife.
Notably, these concerns have sparked discussions around the introduction of designated firework-free zones. The CDU's Zimmermann supported this idea, advocating for specific areas to be marked as prohibiting firework usage to protect both residents and responders. He insisted on the necessity of proactive measures, stating, "Solche gezielten Maßnahmen können verhindern, dass ganze Stadtteile zu Gefahrenzonen werden." The goal is to guard against future occurrences where numerous people could potentially face harm during what should be festive events.
While both parties agree on the necessity of resolving safety issues, there is contention on implementing broad regulations. The CDU rejected the notion of an outright ban on fireworks across Lübeck, favoring targeted interventions to prevent disruption without infringing on the celebrations of the majority who partake peacefully. Zimmermann remarked, "Das Recht auf ein friedliches und sicheres Silvesterfeuerwerk darf nicht von wenigen Randalierern zerstört werden. Es liegt in unserer gemeinsamen Verantwortung, unsere Stadt lebenswert und sicher zu halten..." This highlights the underlying theme—balancing festive traditions with public safety.
The 2025 New Year's celebration has become emblematic of the persistent need for community engagement and conversation around public safety measures. With opinions differing on how best to commemorate festive occasions without the accompanying risk of violence, Lübeck's leaders are pushed to respond decisively to these incidents.
It is evident the citizens of Lübeck are at a crossroads; the need for safer celebrations must be addressed not just through political proposals but by fostering community dialogues. The hope remains for a New Year’s Eve where joy prevails over disorder, creating safe spaces for all to enjoy the essence of celebration.