Alcohol ban on the old harbor: Is the hoped -for calm for Rathenow?

Alcohol ban on the old harbor: Is the hoped -for calm for Rathenow?

in Rathenow, the idyllic Havelland roaming, on July 15, 2025, an alcohol ban on the old harbor made its rounds. The city councils had made a decision with a clear majority to give the place an urgently needed calm. Mayor Jörg Zietemann was confident that this measure will help to contain the riots, which can be observed, especially on warm days. "We want people to feel comfortable here", according to his hope, such as [rbb24.de] (https://www.rbb24.de/panorama/biebtrag/2025/07/brandenburg-havelland-rathenow-sicherheit- alcohol verb).

the old harbor, elaborately prepared and a popular place for many residents and tourists, was considered a real unrest in the past. Complaints about noise, garbage and destruction increased. As a result, urban politics discussed the need for the ban for months. Young people in particular had often gathered there and struck the strands in many cases. Alcohol consumption is therefore being pursued, and the ban applies to public areas by December 31, 2025.

complete control

In order to implement the alcohol ban effectively, control is ensured by the regulatory patrol and a privately committed security service. This is active in the time until the city festival in early September and monitors the action at the old harbor. It is important to mention that the security forces have no powers such as a proper regulatory authority, but can document and report violations. This is a step in the right direction to restore security and order. Despite these measures, there is skepticism that the problems could possibly only shift, so that the challenge of controlling the situation remains how [maz-online.de] (https://www.maz-online.de/lokales/havelland/rathenow- alcohol verbot-am-alkraft-kraft-m2Uecjmx5jda7c7c7v5oly.html) reports.

residents already complain about noise pollution from drunken, who also often frequent the bank. So it could well be that the resident, who proposes an expansion of the alcohol ban zone, is in the right place with her opinion. In Stendal, for example, there have been restrictions on alcohol sales sales for a long time to combat a similar problem.

Health background

The problem of alcohol abuse is not an isolated case in German cities. Statistics show a worrying increase in alcohol -related inpatient treatments in children, adolescents and young adults. In 2009, around 26,400 affected acute alcohol abuse suffered, an increase of 2.8 % compared to 2008. These numbers underline the need for addiction prevention, as also in [zvr-online.com] (https://www.zvr-online.com/archiv/2012-juni/florian-albrecht/andreaz-die-gmacht-gift-glechtliche-und-kriminological--aspect-der-Do-im-oeffter- area).

The city of Rathenow and its citizens are facing a challenge: Will the ban on alcohol at the old port actually lead to a more peaceful cooperation, or remains an unused attempt to get the problems under control? We will carefully observe the developments and hope for positive changes.