Police: Numerous Vienna Police Stations Soon Closed for Public Access on Sundays

Starting in July, office hours on Sundays and public holidays will also be affected. The State Police Directorate (LPD) confirmed APA research on the new measures on Friday. "All 52 police stations that are staffed without 24-hour public service will be included," said spokeswoman Anna Gutt.

"There is still the possibility to visit the police stations that are open around the clock for public concerns on Sundays and public holidays," said Gutt. Specifically, starting in July, almost two-thirds of the 81 stations in Vienna will be closed to the public on Sundays and public holidays, with reports only possible at 29 locations.

Due to positive experiences from the trial operation of the restricted public service since October 2023, the measures are now being extended to Sundays and public holidays "to focus even more intensively on the actual needs of the population and continue to focus on the core area of police tasks, the executive field service," said Gutt. The need for all 81 stations to be open around the clock for citizens is "no longer present to this extent," it was stated. Notices will also inform citizens about the nearest open police station on weekends.

Vienna Police Targeted Weeknight Operations in 2023

Previously, the State Police Directorate targeted weeknight operations in October 2023. Since then, public service for personal reports and other citizen services has only been possible in 29 stations in Vienna from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Measures for Sundays and public holidays were already close to implementation last spring according to APA research, but were then discarded shortly before introduction.

In March of this year, significant cuts in overtime and other cost factors were finally made public following an APA report. The State Police Directorate referred to the Ministry of the Interior at the time. There, the cuts were justified with the interim budget provision.

Unionists Criticize

Criticism came on Friday afternoon from the faction of Social Democratic Unionists. "The night-time station closures in October 2023 were sold to us by the State Police President as a relief for colleagues," said police unionist Walter Strallhofer, chairman of the staff representation in Vienna. "By temporarily closing certain stations, tasks are transferred to other colleagues." This leads to an additional burden on the remaining stations and the colleagues working there, and once again underscores the tense personnel situation. Additionally, far fewer police officers are on duty in Vienna on Sundays and public holidays. As a result, stations could remain closed for up to 72 hours if, for example, a Sunday follows the three Christmas holidays, criticized Strallhofer.

The chairman of the Christian Unionists (FCG) in Vienna, Gerhard Zauner, also criticized the measures on Friday afternoon. "It was sold as a relief measure due to the upcoming holiday season, I don't believe that's the real reason," said Zauner, deputy chairman of the specialist committee in Vienna. "I consider it a cost-saving measure due to the budgetary situation," said Zauner. "They should finally be honest with the colleagues," said Zauner. A statement from the blue AUF union was still pending in the afternoon.

(APA/Red)

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