News, Fredrikstad center | Can be both entertainment and stalls on Stortorvet on 17 May

– We hope that we will make it happen, says Trond Svandal (V), leader of the municipality’s 17 May committee.

From the outset, it is clear that both the police and the municipality are putting considerable resources into being present in the city center on 17 May and preventing the overcrowding that took place on Stortorvet and the surrounding areas last year – and in the last few years before that.

As Fredriksstad Blad has told, dozens of municipal employees work overtime to act as youth workers. And the police have greatly increased their manpower compared to National Day in 2023.

Will be a dance show

The May 17 committee is also working to ensure that there will be a slightly different atmosphere on Stortorvet than last year, when the emergency services had to deal with several young people who had drunkenly lost their senses and gathering.

– There will be something on Stortorvet. There have been some questions about what will happen there. Among other things, there will be a small dance performance. We also have other plans, but they have not been fully implemented yet, says Svandal.

He states that those who will have sales stalls around the center on National Day will be encouraged to stand on Stortorvet.

Would like sales stalls there

– There it is that people can still sign up until closer to 17 May, but we are also working on something more there: Something to see that can attract people – including children and adults. says Svandal.

If they succeed, the police and the prevention agencies in the municipality may have gained another weapon in their efforts to prevent Stortorvet from turning into a drunken party on National Day.

Deploys large resources

They will otherwise focus on, among other things, these measures:

• 35 municipal employees have volunteered to work overtime in the center on 17 May.
• The police are greatly strengthening staffing on the streets this year compared to last year.
• The nightlife industry basically agreed that they should not contribute to raising the party atmosphere in the city center by turning on the music at full blast already early in the day.
• Minors with bags must expect the police to check them and any alcohol taken from them.
• Information will be provided to both young people and parents ahead of the big day.

– This is not about us ruining a nice day. There are many ways to have a good time on 17 May, and I think most people agree that flat-filling in the center is not good, said Erik Lindbæk Kruse, preventive coordinator in Fredrikstad municipality, when the municipality and the police informed about the efforts on the national day.

– The children’s day should not end in a row

Committee leader Svandal hopes just as strongly that Stortorvet will not become Fylletorvet on 17 May.

– We have talked a lot about this. We have a close dialogue with those who work with this in the municipality and the police. We don’t want it to be the kind of noise and unrest that has been in recent years, so let’s hope we can manage to take some measures this year. This is also something the focus will be on next year, says Svandal.

He hopes that young people and parents will heed all the calls to take care of the day when it comes.

– It is an important day with an important message and a certain seriousness. Not least, it’s Children’s Day. It should not end in a row, says Svandal.