Local inspection “Krone” after the fireworks battle on New Year’s Eve 2022/2023 in a large municipal building in Vienna-Floridsdorf: Although calm has returned, residents live in fear. In any case, the police are prepared for the last night of the year.
The Franz-Koch-Hof in Jedlersdorf in Floridsdorf is a small town within the city. There were violent riots here on New Year’s Eve 2022/2023. Teenagers and young adults set off illegal fireworks in the residential area with violent explosions. At Mitterhofergasse 2 the entire staircase was even blown up. Three arrests took place, more than two hundred identity checks were made and dozens of people were reported.
A day before the end of the year it is still suspiciously quiet at the local inspection “Krone”. Are appearances deceptive?
“I’m really afraid of New Year’s Eve, even though it has become a bit quieter here,” says resident Helga P. But since a few days ago, fireworks have been going off again in the complex. The 68-year-old retiree is looking forward to New Year’s Eve with mixed feelings.
On December 31, your neighbor no longer dares to go outside. A firecracker landed on her balcony. A fire could be prevented.
Klaus Riess (54) and his dog were even pelted with fireworks three years ago: “The situation was terrible. Eight young boys followed us to the door. That was really that bad!”
Since the fireworks chaos on New Year’s Eve, there has been a heavy police presence in the residential complex, the social worker reports. “I hope it stays that way.”
Police presence announced for New Year’s Eve
In any case, the Viennese police have developed a comprehensive security concept for the New Year. This not only has consequences for large event locations such as the New Year’s Eve Trail, but of course also for other locations where large numbers of people are expected.
These locations include the infamous Mitterhofergasse. The police will also be present in this area and take the necessary measures, the council said in response to a request from the Crown. Administrative reporting statistics with a focus on pyrotechnics are not collected separately for such a small location.
The Franz-Koch-Hof was built in the second half of the 1970s and currently offers space for 2,900 residents in a total of 1,426 apartments.
“Relatively less loud”
Floridsdorf district leader Georg Papai (SPÖ) says: “A lot has happened since the incidents at the turn of the year 2022/2023. For weeks now, not least at my political initiative, priority checks have been carried out at the borders and at the Floridsdorf train station to prevent the private import of prohibited fireworks. The result is that, according to the police, there have been relatively few ‘bursts’ in the run-up to New Year’s this year.”
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.
