Halloween is just around the corner, but be careful: property damage and vandalism are rife. Young people in particular celebrate on the night of All Saints’ Day and this annually leads to incidents in which careless actions sometimes cause significant damage.
A day before Halloween, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BK) reminded people that pranks that cause damage to property or disturb the peace are not trivial offenses, even on the night of November 1. The celebrations celebrated in the US have long been established in Europe.
Information about the consequences by parents
The BK therefore calls on parents and legal guardians to inform their children about the criminal and financial consequences of such actions. “Acts such as defacing or damaging houses and cars, destroying mailboxes or rubbish bins, theft and threatening people constitute serious crimes and are consistently reported. The police will be extra present on Halloween and will take consistent action against violations,” the BK said on Wednesday.
The Minister of the Interior warns of fines and even prison sentences
The police have made extensive preparations for Halloween night. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) warns: “In addition to various special forces such as assistance dog units, standby units in the states or the WEGA in Vienna, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution will also take action.”
Penalties can range from heavy fines to prison terms, and even if children and young people under the age of 14 cannot face criminal charges, the injured can make civil claims.
Austria’s youth protection laws were also observed: children under the age of 14 are allowed to leave the house with their parents’ permission from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., and from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. from 2 pm to 16 years old. In Upper Austria, the time allowed for children under 14 ends at 10 p.m. In Salzburg, children under the age of 12 are allowed to travel from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Federal Criminal Police Office recommends talking to parents about the possible legal and financial consequences of vandalism, and children should also be prevented from taking eggs, aerosol cans or similar objects.
Homeowners should secure or store valuable or sensitive items outside – and if a crime actually occurs, the motto is “keep calm and call the police.”
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.
