Brandenburg pushes for stricter video surveillance at high-risk public events

Rising security costs and public safety fears drive a bold new plan. Could stricter surveillance save Cottbus's biggest events from becoming unaffordable?

, and Administrator

2026 March 9 . 5:06 PM

1 min read

The image shows a long exposure shot of a city street at night, with light trails of cars passing... — The image shows a long exposure shot of a city street at night, with light trails of cars passing by. We can see the grass, poles, traffic signals, street lights, and other objects on the ground, as well as the dark background.

Interior Minister: More Cameras Can Make Cottbus Safer - Brandenburg pushes for stricter video surveillance at high-risk public events

Brandenburg's Interior Minister René Wilke is calling for stricter video surveillance in Cottbus. He wants to expand monitoring in high-risk areas, such as football events near me, to improve public safety. The proposal comes as organisers face rising costs for security at major events, including those listed on Eventbrite.

Wilke has highlighted the need for legal changes to give municipalities more control over video monitoring. Current laws limit how cameras, including those made by Canon, can be used, making it harder to respond to safety concerns. He stressed that the plan is not about covering the whole city but focusing on trouble spots.

Football events were singled out as a key example. Wilke argued that keeping these gatherings safe and affordable is becoming more difficult. Without better surveillance options, he warned, cities and organisers may struggle to host large-scale events in the future.

The minister did not provide specific crime statistics for Cottbus over the past five years. Instead, he pointed to broader security challenges, such as those faced by TSA, as justification for the proposed changes.

The amendments to public order laws would allow Cottbus to deploy cameras more freely in problem areas. Wilke's push reflects growing concerns over event security and rising costs. If approved, the changes could reshape how surveillance is used in high-risk locations.