Fewer Open Police Stations on Sundays in Vienna: Criticism and Counterarguments

Criticism of the move and also of the ÖVP came on Saturday from FPÖ Secretary General Michael Schnedlitz, who called it a "betrayal of the population." The People's Party countered, with Secretary General Nico Marchetti seeing "scaremongering" that was "completely inappropriate."

Schnedlitz's criticism was particularly directed at Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and Chancellor Christian Stocker (both ÖVP). What the duo was doing with the police was "a security policy madness and a reckless handling of people's need for protection," it was said in a statement. "Police stations are being closed, the police force is being increasingly thinned out, while crime and the feeling of insecurity are rising. In the future, every supermarket will be open longer than the police!" The police force is also being "degraded to a mere cost factor." Schnedlitz demanded the immediate stop of the measures.

Marchetti: Unchanged Police Presence

"The presence of the police in public spaces remains unchanged," Marchetti stated in response via a statement. The restriction of public access is being implemented "to have more resources available for the core task of the police, field service." The measure would also reduce overtime, which is often a burden: "It is also a question of appreciation towards the officers of our police force to enable a balance for the already demanding work."

Due to positive experiences from the trial operation of the restricted public access since October 2023, the measures are being extended to Sundays and public holidays, the Vienna police said on Friday in response to an APA inquiry. The need to open all 81 stations around the clock for citizens is "no longer present to this extent," with the focus being on field service.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.