Cologne prepares large security presence for Carnival kickoff

Authorities in Cologne and Leverkusen are preparing for a massive security operation to mark the start of the Carnival season on November 11. To manage the crowds expected for the traditional kickoff at 11:11 a.m., more than 1,000 police officers will patrol key areas, including the Altstadt, Zülpicher Viertel, and Chlodwigplatz.

In addition to police, 450 regulatory office employees and 1,200 private security guards will be deployed to handle the influx of hundreds of thousands of revelers. While recent unrest following protests on October 31 led to property damage and clashes with police, officials stated there are currently no indications of planned demonstrations or specific security threats for the Carnival start. However, lessons from recent incidents are being integrated into the current operational planning.