Too many acts of violence

Reumannplatz: Now the pool attendants are afraid

The police and several city departments have been increasing their presence at the Reumannplatz hotspot - with the Amalienbad in the background - for several days.

(Bild: EVA MANHART / APA / picturedesk.com)

As the situation at Reumannplatz has escalated in recent days, the employees of the Amalienbad in Vienna-Favoriten no longer dare to go to their workplace and are demonstrating for more police - their presence is beginning to bear fruit ...

Reumannplatz has become the focus of the authorities in recent weeks. After several brutal attacks, a weapons ban zone has been in force here since last weekend. The situation is currently calm.

However, the almost daily violent crimes have not only left their mark on residents and passers-by. It has also left its mark on the more than 100 employees of the Amalienbad.

The police and several city departments have been increasing their presence at the Reumannplatz hotspot - with the Amalienbad in the background - for several days.

(Bild: EVA MANHART / APA / picturedesk.com)

Appeal: "Mr. Karner, we are admonishers!"
On Wednesday morning, the staff representatives held a rally. Under the title "Mr. Minister of the Interior! More police - to protect our colleagues and the public!", the pool staff immediately demanded more police around Reumannplatz.

Our colleagues feel very unsafe here at Reumannplatz and are frightened - especially in the dark. We are at the end of our tether. It can't go on like this!

Wolfgang Jelinek, Personalvertreter und stv. Vorsitzender der Hauptgruppe III der younion-Gewerkschaft

Bild: KRISTIAN BISSUTI

"It can't be that it's safer inside in the pools than out here!" says Wolfgang Jelinek, staff representative and deputy chairman of main group III of the younion trade union. In an interview with the "Krone" newspaper, the staff representative says that several colleagues have already been involved in dangerous conflicts. During the lunch break, for example. The female colleagues in particular are very frightened. Especially after dark. After all, many of them are on duty until 10 pm.

100 employees

That's how many people work at the Amalienbad on Reumannplatz. In total, around 900 people work at the pools from May to September.

One employee, who has worked at the Amalienbad for more than 30 years, is now even retiring early, with deductions. Because she no longer dares to go to work, says Jelinek.

With the words "Mr. Karner, we are admonishers!", the demonstrators called on the Minister of the Interior to take immediate action. The trade unionists demanded that a special police patrol be stationed directly in front of the indoor swimming pool from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Employees of MA 44 (Vienna's public baths) demonstrated loudly in front of the Amalienbad on Wednesday and demanded more police.

(Bild: KRISTIAN BISSUTI)

City takes action and wants to provide more security
Meanwhile, the measures taken by the city are already showing initial success. The increased presence of officers and the extensive patrolling of the entire Favoritenstraße as well as the adjacent side streets and parks have led to drug sellers being identified.

Walter Hillerer, head of the immediate action group, emphasizes: "Our aim is to show a strong presence together with the police and the city's departments and thereby strengthen the sense of security in Favoriten. The city's mobile office at Reumannplatz will be manned until Friday, April 5, from 5 to 11 pm.

The checks and patrols in Favoriten are to be continued on an ongoing basis in order to ensure long-term security in the district.