The election campaign in Vienna has now fully begun: SPÖ Mayor Michael Ludwig now wants to ensure even more safety in public spaces and has announced important actions. In addition to an alcohol ban on the infamous Franz-Jonas-Platz, the city is also taking tough action against other violent spots.
Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) was not even officially in power when he took his first, much-praised political measure: the city imposed an alcohol ban in Praterstern. That was on April 27, 2018. Since then, alcoholic drinks can be confiscated there by the police. A weapons ban for a whole day followed in 2019.
It has become quiet around the former violence hotspot in a central location. The increased police presence with a new police station, more social workers and a renovation have reduced the quality of life at the public transport hub.
Key actions for a “safe Vienna”
The city is now taking further steps to further improve the subjective sense of security of the Viennese population, it is said. During a media event Wednesday morning in the Fritz Imhoff Park in Mariahilf, not far from the infamous Gumpendorfer Straße metro station, city boss Ludwig announced new actions. From now on, there will be special promotions several times a week for a ‘safe Vienna’.
For example in Fritz-Imhoff-Park, at the U6 station Josefstädterstraße or around Yppenplatz in Ottakring. After an initial evaluation phase, the focus actions should be on: are being rolled out across the entire urban area. Also present: the Vienna Police, the Emergency Measures Group, various municipal departments and the Vienna public transport network.
“When it comes to safety, it’s all about consistency. With the new measures, we now ensure even more safety in public spaces throughout Vienna,” said the mayor. And he goes one step further. He also implements a long-standing ‘Krone’ requirement. There is also an alcohol ban at Franz-Jonas-Platz in Floridsdorf. “We have had good experiences with such a measure at Praterstern since 2018 – the feeling of security there has clearly increased since then,” Ludwig argues.
Already in February 2019, a majority decision was taken in the Floridsdorf district council (with the votes of the Social Democrats, against the votes of the Greens and NEOS).
328 advertisements on Praterstern
The situation in Praterstern has improved significantly as a result of the alcohol ban. This is not just what feedback from residents and “Krone” readers say. The ban on schnapps, etc. in the open air works because the police take strict action. Last year, 328 violations were reported and 50 administrative mandates were issued. Comparison with 2023: According to the Vienna Executive, there were 394 reports and 91 organ mandates at the time.
Source: Krone
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