Increased security for the start of Carnival

Berlin. As the carnival season kicks off, police have announced new security measures and an increased presence at parades and celebrations. "To prevent potential knife attacks and enable a faster response, both identifiable and unidentified police officers will be deployed," Jochen Kopelke, Federal Chairman of the German Police Union (GdP), told the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND). Plainclothes officers, in particular, will be mingling with crowds.

According to the police, security concepts differ from state to state, "depending on the capabilities of the respective police authority and the units on site," said Kopelke. "However, all parades and large events are generally subject to special security measures based on the current security situation."

Access barriers such as bollards are intended to prevent vehicle attacks. Police are now relying not only on traditional concrete blocks but have also invested in height-adjustable barriers. "We now have significantly more technical barriers in use than ten years ago," Kopelke told the RND. "We've upgraded our equipment." In addition, traffic diversions, weapons-free zones, and improved public awareness campaigns on social media are intended to ensure the safety of those celebrating.

With increasing numbers of drones sighted across Germany and Europe, drone defense at parades or large gatherings of people is also a concern for the police: However, the police union representative explained that the speed at which the police can react varies from country to country.

For example, Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia are better prepared for drone sightings than Saarland, Lower Saxony, Bremen, Saxony-Anhalt, or Thuringia. "However, every police force must be able to identify drones so that they know whether it's a hobby photographer, their own police drone, or something else," said Kopelke.

The union also sees a growing sensitivity towards drones. Police officers must therefore be trained to communicate with the public in a de-escalating manner if a drone is sighted. "The issue has gained more importance overall, as people have developed a rather fearful attitude towards drones," he said.

Following rampages and knife attacks at Christmas markets and other large events, Kopelke advises all organizers to "contact the local police before the event for advice and preparation." The larger the event, the more police security measures are necessary, according to the GdP chief.

Visitors should immediately report anything suspicious to the officers on site. "Celebrate responsibly," says Kopelke. "Help others by showing civic courage without endangering yourself."