Protection from Demo Attacks: Permanent Barriers at Tiergarten? Senator Proposes

Berlin's Interior Senator Iris Spranger has proposed installing permanent physical barriers along the Straße des 17. Juni in Tiergarten to enhance security against potential attacks, particularly vehicle ramming incidents. The suggestion follows a recent Islamist attack during the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade in Berlin.

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This consumes enormous police capacity, as they constantly erect, dismantle, and transport barriers. This cannot be a solution for the area.

Spranger explained that the street, frequently used for demonstrations and events, requires permanent security measures. She suggested incorporating robust urban furniture, such as solid benches, information boards, and sculptures, to partially block access routes from Tiergarten onto the street. This would alleviate the significant strain on police resources, which are currently occupied with the constant setup and removal of temporary fences and blockades.

During a discussion in the Interior Committee on preventing Islamist attacks, Spranger also addressed other security measures. She noted that four Islamist extremists, three men and one woman, are currently wearing electronic ankle monitors ordered by a court, allowing police to track their locations. However, Spranger cautioned that this measure offers only limited protection, especially in preventing attacks like the one at CSD, which occurred hundreds of meters away from the main event.

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The CSD attack occurred 400 meters from the actual event. And what about concerts or markets, or how do you prevent car ramming attacks?

She questioned the effectiveness of such monitoring for broader events like concerts or markets, and how it could prevent vehicle ramming attacks. Spranger concluded that while electronic monitoring is part of the solution, it is not a complete answer to the complex security challenges Berlin faces.

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The ankle tag is therefore only part of the solution.