Vienna starts spectacular New Year's Eve celebrations: safety is the top priority!

Vienna starts spectacular New Year's Eve celebrations: safety is the top priority!

On December 31, 2024, the 33rd Vienna New Year's Eve Trail was opened, a spectacle that attracts numerous visitors in the city center from 2 p.m. Mayor Michael Ludwig visited the operations and security center, where the security forces are coordinated in cooperation with the emergency services organizations and authorities. “Thanks to their tireless efforts, Vienna is one of the safest cities in the world, especially on New Year’s Eve,” Ludwig praised the dedicated employees. Guests can enjoy more than 100 hours of free programming at various venues until 2 a.m. The largest stage on Rathausplatz begins with a special program at 10 p.m. You can find more information about this on the official website Vienna New Year's Eve Trail.

Growing security measures in Vienna

However, while Vienna celebrates, the city also faces serious challenges. There have been violent incidents in recent days, including a gang war. In view of these riots, Ludwig called for a general ban on weapons and an increase in the Vienna operational team. This step is part of its efforts to increase safety on the streets, especially after the recent attacks at Ottakringer Yppenplatz. Ludwig expressed his criticism of the federal government because Vienna is burdened with a large part of the police operation but does not have sufficient staff. “I have been calling for more police officers for Vienna for many years, but so far this has not happened,” he explained. In order to improve security, the Vienna operations team is being strengthened, which is responsible for quick reactions to dangers, such as checking security requirements in restaurants or solving illegal events.

These measures are urgently necessary, as Ludwig explained: “Protecting the population is my top priority.” He emphasized that cooperation with the police is of great importance for the city. The events of the last few days show that, despite the festive mood, there must always be increased security awareness. This is also illustrated by the situation on Vienna's streets, where citizens are concerned about the acts of violence, as various media reports, including MyDistrict, document.