Alcohol ban at the Old Harbor: Is the hoped-for peace now coming for Rathenow?

Alcohol ban at the Old Harbor: Is the hoped-for peace now coming for Rathenow?

In Rathenow, roaming the idyllic Havelland, an alcohol ban made its rounds at the Old Harbor on July 15, 2025. The city council had passed a resolution by a clear majority to give the place some much-needed peace. Mayor Jörg Zietemann expressed confidence that this measure will help contain the unrest, which can be observed particularly on warm days. “We want people to feel comfortable here,” is his hope, as rbb24.de reports.

The Old Port, lavishly decorated and a popular place for many residents and tourists, was considered a real source of trouble in the past. Complaints about noise, garbage and destruction increased. This led to city politicians discussing the necessity of the ban for months. Young people in particular often gathered there and in many cases went overboard. Alcohol consumption is therefore being closely monitored and the ban applies to public areas until December 31, 2025.

Complete control

In order to effectively implement the alcohol ban, control is ensured by the police patrol and a privately hired security service. This is active until the city festival at the beginning of September and monitors what is happening at the Old Harbor. It is important to note that security forces do not have the powers of a proper law enforcement agency, but they 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 may just shift, so the challenge of controlling the situation remains, as maz-online.de reported.

Residents are already complaining about noise nuisance from drunks, who also often frequent the riverside circular path. So it could well be that the resident who suggests expanding the alcohol ban zone is absolutely right in her opinion. In Stendal, for example, there have long been restrictions on the out-of-home sale of alcohol after 10 p.m. in order to combat a similar problem.

Health backgrounds

The problem of alcohol abuse is not an isolated case in German cities. Statistics show a worrying increase in alcohol-related inpatient treatment among children, adolescents and young adults. In 2009, around 26,400 people affected suffered from acute alcohol abuse, an increase of 2.8% compared to 2008. These figures underline the need for addiction prevention measures, such as those in [zvr-online.com].

The city of Rathenow and its citizens are faced with a challenge: Will the alcohol ban at the Old Harbor actually lead to more peaceful coexistence, or will it remain an unused attempt to get the problems under control? We will monitor developments closely and hope for positive changes.