Berlin police manage to rein in New Year's Eve festivities, reducing costs significantly
In the heart of Germany, Berlin's New Year's celebrations have long been a spectacle, but concerns about wasteful expenses and security have been growing.
Despite the festivities, large amounts of waste from fireworks and disposable party supplies, excess food and drink that goes uneaten, high energy consumption from lighting displays and late-night events, and overuse of packaging and single-use items during celebrations are common issues.
To combat these problems, proposed measures include encouraging eco-friendly fireworks alternatives or bans, promoting zero-waste parties and reusable decorations, organising community clean-ups after celebrations, and increasing public awareness about sustainable consumption during holidays.
However, this year, the Berlin Senate has decided to cancel the New Year's Eve party at the Brandenburg Gate due to financial constraints. The private organizer of the event has expressed reluctance to proceed without state funding.
The Senate has also decided not to provide any funds for the event, a move that aligns with calls for reducing wasteful expenses around New Year's.
Meanwhile, in Brandenburg, real estate prices are expected to stabilize after a decline until mid-2022, according to Andreas Fritsche's article. However, there are no bargains to be found in the market.
Elsewhere in Berlin, the Police Union (GdP) has proposed discontinuing joint patrols with the BVG, citing ineffectiveness in increasing security. The "cleaning patrol" along the U8, a joint patrol, has been criticised for primarily driving away poor people.
The police presence in noise ban zones has also been questioned, with the Police Union (GdP) stating that it does not achieve anything. The union could suggest refraining from using a large presence to control protesters in the future, following instances where the police have been accused of beating up protesters.
The DPolG chief, Rainer Wendt, has made statements against the LGBTQ+ community that have been criticised by state associations. Matthias Monroy's article delves into the criticism of Wendt's statements by state associations.
Lola Zeller's article, on the other hand, discusses foxes in Berlin preferring wastelands to forests. While not directly related to the topic at hand, it serves as a reminder of the impact human activities can have on the city's ecosystem.
As the city gears up for another New Year's Eve, the focus remains on finding sustainable solutions to reduce waste and improve security, ensuring that the celebrations can continue to be enjoyed by all.
- Amidst the criticism over waste and financial concerns, the Berlin Senate has made a decision to cancel the New Year's Eve party at the Brandenburg Gate, sparking discussions about sustainable celebrations in politics.
- In a move towards crime and justice, the Police Union (GdP) has proposed discontinuing joint patrols with the BVG, criticizing their ineffectiveness in increasing security during the general-news season.
