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Fair in Cologne: Citizens call for a ban on alcohol and tougher police action

2022-05-11T14:44:19.879Z


Fair in Cologne: Citizens call for a ban on alcohol and tougher police action Created: 05/11/2022, 16:36 By: Johanna Werning For the Deutzer fair, among other things, an alcohol ban is under discussion. (archive image). © Jochen Tack/IMAGO A lot could change at the Deutz fair in Cologne - if the local residents have their way. The wish: A ban on alcohol and a new safety concept. Cologne – rub


Fair in Cologne: Citizens call for a ban on alcohol and tougher police action

Created: 05/11/2022, 16:36

By: Johanna Werning

For the Deutzer fair, among other things, an alcohol ban is under discussion.

(archive image).

© Jochen Tack/IMAGO

A lot could change at the Deutz fair in Cologne - if the local residents have their way.

The wish: A ban on alcohol and a new safety concept.

Cologne – rubbish, dirt, congested streets and aggressive visitors: the trouble around the Deutzer fair doesn't stop.

"It's never been as bad as it is now," said a resident at the citizens' meeting for the Deutzer fair.

This is also confirmed by the Cologne police: during the Deutzer Easter fair in 2022 there was around 25 percent more street crime compared to 2019 – i.e. before Corona.

There was even an increase of 75 percent in bodily harm during the fair days, reports 24RHEIN.

Cologne: Deutz fair “must be more family-friendly”

But that should now be over: Around 200 citizens took part in the citizens' meeting for the Deutz fair.

And in addition to criticism for the city, politics and the police, there were also very clear demands from the participants.

For example: A better and, above all, functioning traffic and safety concept.

But that's not all: "The fair has to become more family-friendly again - for example with an alcohol ban.

Then you would also address other groups of visitors,” says a resident from Cologne-Deutz during the discussion.

The next fair is to take place in Deutz in autumn.

“The fair is just as much a hotspot as the Cologne carnival or football.

We have not been taken seriously for a long time - and that is a bitter experience.

We would like more presence from the police and public order office," explains Norbert Monßen from the citizens' initiative Deutzer Werft, which published a fire letter to the city of Cologne during the Deutzer fair.

Deutzer fair in Cologne: What changes are required

At the citizens' meeting, Monssen then presents his concrete list of demands: ten measures are intended to help peace return to Deutz and the citizens to be safe and comfortable in their Veedel again.

There was applause from the participants of the town meeting.

  • Creation of a traffic concept:

    road closures on all days of the fair, one hour before the start of the daily opening.

    At the same time, it should be ensured that residents and their visitors can drive into the area without problems.

    These streets are to be closed: the Siegburg streets between Deutzer Brücke/Deutzer Freiheit and Troisdorfer Straße (near Severinsbrücke), the Tempelstraße and the Adolphstraße will be closed.

  • Blocking of the parking lot under the Severinsbrücke:

    access only for residents and their visitors.

  • Avoiding noise

    : In the case of amusement rides with loud music, the loudspeaker should be placed facing the Rhine.

    In addition, a noise report is to be drawn up that interested citizens can view.

    Also: Random monitoring of the noise limit after justified complaints from residents.

  • Alcohol consumption ban on the fairground:

    Outside the gastronomic facilities, it should be forbidden to drink alcohol at the fair.

  • Alcohol consumption ban on the fairground:

    Outside the gastronomic facilities, it should be forbidden to drink alcohol at the fair.

  • Setting up more toilets for visitors:

    More toilet facilities are to be set up on and around the fairgrounds – with clearly visible signs.

  • Restrictions for showmen:

    The setting up of amusement rides, caravans and transport vehicles should only be specified in the area of ​​the Deutz shipyard site specified in the statutes.

  • Restriction of opening hours:

    The opening times should be limited to 9 p.m. – in case of overcrowding or riots.

  • Setting up a permanent guard for the police and public order office:

    A permanent guard in the form of an office container is to be set up at the entrance (Heribert-Liebertz-Weg) to the Deutz fair.

    At the same time, the station is to serve as a contact point for residents.

    In addition, there should be more police patrols on Siegburger Straße and the side streets.

  • Deposit crockery:

    Food intended for immediate consumption should only be sold in reusable products with a deposit system.

    This is to avoid waste.

    At the same time, more rubbish bins are to be set up along Siegburger Strasse from day one.

  • Creation of a security concept:

    The security concept is to be further expanded.

    For this purpose, the forces of the regulatory office and the police should be strengthened.

    Interested citizens should also have access to this concept.

Cologne: Deutzer fair – what's next?

So there are many suggestions.

But how will the Deutzer fair continue?

After all, in addition to the organizer and district mayor of Cologne city center Andreas Hupke (Greens), various members of the city council and the citizens' representation were also present.

In addition, various representatives of the public order office, the showmen and the police were available to answer questions.

And they promise that the first changes will already be made for the next Deutz fair in autumn.

"Today it has become very clear that people no longer want it that way and that has to be implemented now," Hupke told 24RHEIN after the citizens' meeting.

To this end, citizens, clubs, showmen, the police and the city should work together better in the future.

In addition, the city and showmen are already in exchange, emphasizes Dirk Schmaul from the Cologne regulatory office.

“The main problem are the side effects on and off the fair.

We have to work on them now.” Some of them are already being implemented.

For example, a better traffic concept is currently being worked on.

"The aim is that the residents are better protected - and that already for the next fair." The first details are to be determined in the next few weeks.

Cologne: Deutzer fair as the current hour in the district representation

And politics also continues to deal with the Deutzer fair: The CDU has applied for a current hour for the next district council.

"The documented conditions must no longer be tolerated," said Mario Schmitz, the responsible CDU district representative for Deutz, recently to 24RHEIN.

In the meeting on June 2nd, "the entire concept of the 'Deutzer Kirmes' is to be put to the test."

(jw)

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-05-11

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