Bassumer hero receives civil courage award for courageous help on the train!

Bassumer hero receives civil courage award for courageous help on the train!

A citizens' prize was awarded in Bassum, which not only honors courageous actions, but also serves as an incentive for everyone else. Christian Kreienhop was awarded the 2024 Civil Courage Prize in the Diepholz district council. He received this award for his courageous actions when a train attendant found herself in a threatening situation. On July 31, 2024, during a train ride from Bremen to Osnabrück, he noticed an aggressive passenger threatening the ticket inspector and trying to escape the situation. Kreienhop decided to intervene and was punched in the face as a result, causing injuries to his lip. He has now been recognized for his decision not to look away.

The civil courage prize is endowed with 1,000 euros and is intended to encourage people to help in critical situations. In his speech, District Administrator Volker Meyer emphasized that Kreienhop's exemplary behavior was particularly praiseworthy and set an example of civil courage. During the award ceremony at the last district council meeting before the summer break, the late council members Sonja Eden and Wilhelm Hollberg were also remembered, before district council chairwoman Susanne Cohrs handed over the honor to Kreienhop. Thorsten Strier, the police's deputy inspection chief, was present on the train during the incident and praised Kreienhop's intervention. He reported that other passengers remained silent and looked away while Kreienhop made a signal.

Encouragement of civil courage

The civil courage awards have been awarded for seven years and are aimed at people who act courageously in dangerous situations. Kreienhop is now part of a group of award winners who stand out for their courageous actions. District Administrator Meyer emphasized that the prize should also serve to show others that it is important to help when someone is in need. “Kreienhop deserves our highest recognition for his selflessness,” said Meyer.

But the district council meeting had other topics on the agenda. It was also decided to dissolve the employment company Levare, which had paid hospital employees below the standard rate. In the future, around 170 former employees will be paid in accordance with the public service collective agreement (TVöD). This was received positively by the group leaders as it ensures fair pay for the employees and increases motivation in the future clinics in Borwede. Hermann Schröder from the UWG expressed surprise at the size of the wage difference and the years of discussions on this topic.

District newspaper reports that this commitment sets an example not only for Bassum, but also for the entire district and shows how important it is to stand up for others. In addition, decisions such as wage adjustment underline the company's attractiveness as an employer, which is crucial in times of skilled labor shortages.

Kreienhop's award is part of a larger picture that shows how moral courage can be encouraged and rewarded. Similar prizes are awarded throughout Germany. An example of this is the “XY Prize – Together Against Crime”, which is awarded by Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser. Such initiatives, like those in... ZDF documented, praise courageous citizens who stand up against crime and even risk their own safety to help others.