After two years of the corona pandemic, criminal energy is on the rise again. “We have returned to old patterns,” summarizes police chief Gerhard Pürstl. But there is also cause for joy: “We are moving at a very low ebb.” In the new year, the police will address violence in the private sphere. The situation of sexual assault is “not as bad as portrayed in the media,” Pürstl explained in a live conversation with moderator Conny Winiwarter. And: 50 percent of the perpetrators are people without Austrian citizenship.
Developments in recent weeks show falling numbers in the field of sex offenses compared to 2021. Yet every sex crime is one too many: “These are all offenses that are reprehensible,” Pürstl clarifies.
However, by 2022, crime rates will have risen. According to the chief of police, this is only because they were “very, very low” during the Corona period. Compared to the year before Corona, the numbers have not increased. For anyone who can’t remember a time before Corona: the year 2019 is meant. Pürstl’s conclusion: “You don’t have to be afraid”.
Half of the perpetrators do not have Austrian citizenship
For now, official figures on the demographics of the perpetrators will only be available from 2021. These paint a clear picture: “In the city of Vienna, 50 percent of the perpetrators are foreigners”, ie people without Austrian citizenship, four percent are asylum seekers, the remaining 46 percent Austrians. Pürstl is especially critical of climate activists.
Climate activism: “Damage to Austria’s reputation”
Climate actions, such as the planned disruptive action during the traditional New Year’s concert, are “in no way tolerable” for the police chief. What few people know: The activists also wanted to disrupt the concert with alarm devices – thus “damaging the reputation of Austria and the cultural city of Vienna”. The activists were discovered by the Constitutional Protection officials, who “always keep an eye out”. Numerous administrative offenses have been reported against the activists. With the planned deployment of an alarm system, one is “deep in criminal law”. Pürstl’s summarizing words: “That scratches the nerves”.
21 percent women: ‘Female police officers are very valuable to the police’
The approaching wave of retirements could lead to staff shortages at the Blue Light organization. At the moment there are enough police officers, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to get motivated people into the police profession, says the chief of police. Faster admission procedures are already being considered. Will the necessary qualifications be reduced at the same time? “I’m not for that,” says Pürstl.
Women already have to do less in the field of sports in the admission process. However, he sees no problem with the currently popular concept of ‘equal rights’. He acknowledges that women are therefore weaker in the police profession: “Female employees are extremely valuable for the Viennese police”.
You can see the entire interview with Gerhard Pürstl in the video above. KroneLIVE can be seen from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m.
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Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
