The Vienna-Favoriten district, and in particular the Keplerplatz there, has long been a problem area for the police. The drug scene there is expanding and therefore the police, supported by various special units, are increasingly checking the neighborhood – with success. This year, 21 suspects have already been arrested.
To counter the drug scene on Keplerplatz, the police are now using personnel and technical surveillance measures, fake purchases and wiretapping. With the help of special forces, 21 suspects from the crime scene have already been arrested this year, including members of higher organizational hierarchies. As State Police Chief Gerhard Pürstl explains, “Favoriten is never left alone by the Vienna Police.”
Cross-cooperation
As Pürstl explained in a media interview on Wednesday, it was already clear in early 2022 that the drug scene on Keplerplatz was in danger of developing further. But “the scene could not be fought with a uniformed presence alone”, which is why the Vienna State Criminal Investigation Service, the Southern Department and various special units such as the police, the Favoriten City Police Command, the Vienna Standby Unit and the Police Dog Unit cooperated.
More investigations despite arrests
But no matter how many arrests there are, there is still a rapid increase in the number of “workers” in the organizations, according to Gerhard Winkler, head of the Vienna State Investigation Service. The process consisted of two waves. Streetwalkers were the first to be spotted, with seven arrested in July. Second, the police arrested nine suspects from higher hierarchies in the drug gang. Several kilograms of drugs, such as cannabis and cocaine, were also seized. Despite five other suspects being arrested in February, it can be assumed that the investigation should continue, Winkler explains.
control remains
In the first half of the year, there were already 269 reports on Keplerplatz. More than 160 of these involved violations of the Narcotics Act. There have been a total of 41 priority checks and more patrol services since August. To ensure the necessary security, Erich Zwettler explained to the mayor of Favoriten, control services are still necessary.
Security by video surveillance
While the situation at Keplerplatz is only slowly improving, the situation at Reumannplatz or Ernst-Kirchweger-Haus has calmed down. These places were previously considered problem areas, but can be made safer with video surveillance, Pürstl clarified on Wednesday.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
