Viennese police shorten service hours: What does that mean for our security?

Viennese police shorten service hours: What does that mean for our security?

As part of a savings program, the Viennese police decided to significantly reduce office hours on Sundays and public holidays from July 2024. This affects 52 of a total of 81 police inspections that were previously open throughout. Only 29 inspections remain occupied around the clock, while the other inspection locations will no longer be occupied from this point on. This decision is based on a trial operation that has been running since October 2023 and is intended to reduce overtime and increase the police presence in the field. Affected police stations will also indicate signs in order to point out the nearest open office, reports the state capital Meinzärd.

The state police directorate emphasizes that the measure is based on positive experiences from the test phase. Nevertheless, there is increasing criticism from different sides. Trade unionists from the SPÖ, ÖVP and FPÖ say that these cuts could be a security risk. FPÖ chairman Dominik Nepz announces resistance to the austerity course and describes him as a threat to public security. ÖVP general secretary Nico Marchetti also rejects this criticism and emphasizes that the police presence in public space will remain unchanged Krone.

criticism of the measures

The police union is critical of the new regulations and warns of increased stress on the inspections that remain open. In addition, it is pointed out to the tense personnel situation, which could further tighten due to the reduced number of occupied offices. In the past, there have been reductions in overtime and other expenditure of the police, which were justified with a budget provisorium Meinverbärt.

But not only in Vienna, the discussion about police presence and security is conducted. A study by the Justus Liebig University in Gießen shows that an increased police presence does not necessarily increase the feeling of security of the citizens, but on the contrary can even cause fear. According to the project manager Tim Pfeiffer, the association of police presence leads to a "presence paradox" with problems in the area, in which the desire for more security paradoxically leads to a higher sense of uncertainty North Bavaria.

outlook

The upcoming changes about future security strategies in Vienna and beyond. Especially in times when the feeling of security of the citizens repeatedly focuses on, the reduction in police presence in critical times could be problematic. It remains to be seen how these measures will affect the perception of security and whether the critics will be heard.