Vienna will soon see a new alcohol ban zone come into effect at Franz-Jonas-Platz near Floridsdorf train and metro station.
Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) announced the ban, which will start in early February. The ban aims to improve public safety and quality of life by addressing issues linked to public intoxication in the area.
The district council in Floridsdorf has advocated for such a ban for years. Until now, Vienna has only one alcohol ban zone, which was introduced at Praterstern in 2018. Ludwig explains the delay: “A certain number of reports and offences had to be reached before such a measure could be implemented.”
“This step will prevent an alcohol scene from establishing itself as the warmer months approach,” Ludwig said, adding that this measure followed a thorough examination process.
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Increased police presence and targeted actions
In addition to the ban, focus campaigns will be rolled out at hotspots across Vienna to boost the public’s sense of safety. These efforts, conducted two to three times weekly, will involve the Vienna police, municipal departments, and the municipal group for immediate measures. Areas such as Fritz-Imhoff-Park, Josefstädter Straße U6 station, and Yppenplatz in Ottakring will be prioritised until the end of February.
“Vienna is one of the safest cities in Europe, but there are certain areas where the city needs to intervene more strongly,” Ludwig noted.
A police spokesperson told Der Standard: “There had never been such a concerted approach in coordination with the city before.”
Push for city-wide weapons ban
Ludwig also reiterated his call for a weapons ban throughout Vienna, citing the success of such zones at Praterstern and Reumannplatz.
Since the Praterstern weapons ban began in 2019, over 380 weapons, including 300 knives, have been confiscated.
The mayor urged the federal government to expedite the adoption of a "knife-carrying ban law," a draft of which has been pending since April 2024.
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Heightened tensions at other hotspots
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Gerhard Pürstl highlighted the Meidling station as another area requiring increased police attention.
On Tuesday, a violent altercation near Wilhelmstraße left a 22-year-old Syrian man critically injured from multiple stab wounds. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and the attackers remain unidentified.
As Vienna implements these new safety measures, authorities aim to balance maintaining public order with addressing long-standing security concerns throughout the city.
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