Strengthened Control in Dusseldorf's Old Town: Minister of Interior Reul Oversees Disarmament Zone
In the buzzing heart of towns like Aachen, Bonn, Dortmund, Cologne, Münster, and Düsseldorf's Old Town, weekend inspections focusing on disarmament took place on the 10th of June. Düsseldorf's Old Town witnessed a checkpoint at the exit of the Heinrich-Heine-Allee U-Bahn station, ensuring all attendees passed through it. On the call of NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul, the evening was designated as a coordinated action day to combat violent crime.
A checkpoint was erected at Bolker Str., making it mandatory for visitors aiming to enter the Old Town from the U-Bahn station to pass through this barrier.
The Interior Minister had declared a multi-agency operation to tackle violent crimes, during which law enforcement patrolled the weapon-restricted zone of Düsseldorf's Old Town. Checkpoints were set up at Bolker Str. and the Rhine promenade, subjecting not only young men but also women to bag inspections and occasional searches. The primary goal of this initiative was the early confiscation of weapons and knives to discourage criminal activities and minimize harm to citizens.
A young man found himself without his concealed knife.
The frequency of inspections increased as the evening progressed. A total of 2468 people were examined, resulting in the confiscation of 27 knives and 11 other hazardous objects like an airsoft gun and a telescopic baton.
Among the seized items was this airsoft gun.
Shortly after 10 PM, Herbert Reul personally assessed the situation, accompanied by the duty officer, Police Director Thorsten Fleiß, and the acting police president, Silke Wehmhöner. They drew attention to the Old Town's unique aspects, such as the kiosks, Mühlenstraße traffic, or the steps at Burgplatz. One stop during the tour was the shared contact point of the Ordnungsamt and the police at Ufer 8.
After a stroll through the Old Town, the Interior Minister stopped by the second checkpoint at the Rhine promenade.
Due to the balmy summer temperatures, the Old Town was teeming with people. Around 10 PM, there was a significant surge of young revelers, leaving the officers at the checkpoints quite preoccupied.
The police stated that they would continue to exercise high vigilance and respond promptly to potential instigators of violence in the coming weeks and months. Future checks are in the works.
It's worth noting that Germany has implemented weapon-free zones in high-traffic areas to bolster security and avoid potential attacks [1]. However, the effectiveness of these zones remains debated due to enforcement challenges and the psychological impact on potential offenders [1]. To gain a more precise understanding of Düsseldorf's Old Town situation in June 2023, local news or government reports would be beneficial.
[1] Anastas, A. (2021, March 22). Germany's approach to public safety: Weapon-free zones and more. The Straits Times. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/germany-s-approach-to-public-safety-weapon-free-zones-and-more
In the midst of the intensified operations, a woman was also found with a concealed hazardous object during the general checks at the Rhine promenade in Düsseldorf's Old Town. The variety of seized items, which included not only knives but also an airsoft gun, underscores the need for continued vigilance in maintaining crime-and-justice order within the city's general-news headlines.
