Security expert: – “What is actually against metal detectors?”

Until now, fatal amoclaces in public perception have mainly been seen as an American problem. Since Tuesday we know that evil can also strike in domestic schools. Someone who warns the threat of violent excesses of violence for a long time, is Thomas Krebs, chairman of the Central Committee of the Viennese compulsory school teachers.

Violence increases
Threats, insults, abuse: violence at the schools of Austria is increasing – and in the middle of Vienna. Tilling threats now occur. “I have conversations with colleagues every day,” said Krebs. It is not just about extreme exceptional situations such as a killing spree. “The reality starts much earlier: when parents go crazy in a conversation if students can no longer be tamed if the school building is fully visible and unprotected from the outside,” says Krebs.

Call for the security package for months
An extensive security package is required. Specific: constant security staff at special affected school locations, psychological support for teachers, controlled inputs and, if necessary, metal detectors. “The fact that nothing has changed, although we have warned for years is shocking to me,” said Krebs. Even simple security measures – such as an intercom at the school gate – experience mass resistance among schoolowners. A regulated access control? No.

“Must adjust us to a new reality”
Nikolaus Immanuel Köhler, president of the Austrian Security Day, finds it incomprehensible why the use of qualified security staff or even metal detectors is still shown as a “horror scenario”. “What speaks against a metal detector? The security measures must be based on reality. And the reality has changed radically since the turn of the Millennium,” said Köhler. Schools have long been a critical infrastructure, the future and society remained the same.

And how do you actually keep it in the schools of Vienna?
Access controls only take place at selected private or legal schools, according to the educational directorate. There are ports in some school locations (also public). “At the moment, as the responsible office, we are looking for schools in general or we are introducing access control systems,” says MA 56 (schools). Nevertheless, there is already the possibility to enable school buildings to only allow access to those who have a legitimate interest.