Cologne: Violence at the Aachener Weiher – street worker speaks uncomfortable truth
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OfNina Büchs
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New act of violence at the Aachener Weiher in Cologne: why does it keep escalating there? And who is the source of the violence? Street worker Franco Clemens gives the answer.
Cologne – The Aachener Weiher in Cologne is a popular meeting place for many people. In the evenings and at weekends, hundreds of Cologne residents sit on the lawn, drink Kölsch or spritzer, play flunkyball, listen to music and enjoy the good summer weather. It’s not always so peaceful there. Especially since the beginning of the corona pandemic, negative headlines about violence and fights at the Aachener Weiher have increased. The situation there also escalated last Saturday, August 13th.
A group of “presumably younger men” went there on an 18-year-old and attacked him with a gun. He drew cuts on his arm and examinations on his face, the Cologne police said. Why does the violence keep escalating there? And who is the source of the violence? 24RHEIN spoke to street worker Franco Clemens about this.
Violence at the Aachener Weiher in Cologne: young people and young adults often take up arms
Street worker and social worker Franco Clemens keeps an eye on the scene at the Aachener Weiher. He does not notice an increasing willingness to use violence among adolescents and young adults. “In the meantime, however, a weapon has been created for conflicts, such as a knife or a baton,” says Clemens.
Anyone who used to use their fists to settle an argument is now more likely to reach for a knife. This also happened last weekend – because according to the police, the 18-year-old was apparently injured there with a telescopic baton.
This is Franco Clemens
Franco Clemens works as a street worker and social worker, is among other things educational director of youth facilities and director of an initial reception camp for refugees. He is a knowledgeable citizen in the youth welfare committee in Cologne. Franco Clemens is also committed to working with young people as site manager in the “Rheinflanke eV” association in Düsseldorf.
Street worker Franco Clemens: “New milieu at the Aachener Weiher”
The hotspot at the Aachener Weiher appeared as a result of the corona pandemic and was subject to certain phases from time to time, says street worker Clemens. However, one cannot say that the youths and young adults who are looking for a fight at the Aachener Weiher come from the Cologne Rings. “A very special scene has opened up there,” says Clemens.
Violence at the Aachener Weiher: not only young people from trouble spots
Nor can it be assumed that the adolescents and young adults all come from a difficult social environment. “There are still young people who are specifically looking for confrontation. Now there are also those who actually grew up as normal middle-class youths and carry a weapon with them for self-protection. They then use them when there is a dispute.”
Alcohol and drugs also play a major role, says the street worker. That lowers the inhibition threshold, just like first-person shooters and videos that glorify violence – but he clearly classifies their impact: “It’s not the case that everyone who plays or watches these videos is automatically violent. But the increasingly realistic depiction of violence has its effect. It desensitizes and a certain part can also be animated by it,” says Clemens.
However, it is also particularly important to the street worker that young people are not exclusively portrayed in public as a “violent” group. “Juvenile violence is always shaped by the violence in adult society. The aggressive, polarizing mood is also spreading to the young people.” This was particularly evident through the agitation of the right during Corona.
Violence in Cologne: street workers advocate prevention in schools
According to street worker Franco Clemens, education is particularly useful to prevent violent incidents from becoming more frequent. “Adolescents and young adults are often not aware of the consequences of stabbing with a knife,” he says. In the worst case, a young person who has a weapon with him for protection suddenly becomes a perpetrator.
“A youth with normal development could then stand trial for manslaughter. Then a whole world collapses for these people too. He will face court penalties, legal fees, prison terms and so on.” Clemens therefore advocates more prevention. “You should also explain more about it in schools,” he thinks. One should also concern oneself more with the wishes and goals, with the “living environments” of the young people and young adults. (nb) Fair and independent information about what’s happening in Cologne – subscribe to our free 24RHEIN newsletter here.