ÖVP Vienna warns

“Young people without prospects become criminals”

(Bild: krone.tv)

In an interview with krone.tv, Vienna's ÖVP chairman Karl Mahrer has come up with solutions in light of the current violent excesses at Reumannplatz: "In Favoriten in particular, we see the result of a failed integration policy that has tended to look the other way." 

The ÖVP Vienna, on the other hand, wants to take a closer look and has drawn up an action plan to combat juvenile delinquency. They are in good talks with the city government, which, according to Mahrer, would also be well advised to implement much of the ÖVP action plan.  

Lowering the age of criminal responsibility is also an issue because potential offenders are getting younger and younger: "However, the decisive factor is not the age of criminal responsibility, but the consequences. And these consequences for the offenders must be age-appropriate. Even an eleven or twelve-year-old must understand and feel that there are sanctions." However, prison sentences are not the right way to go. Instead, they need to be educated. Mahrer: "Education also means that a child who commits serious crimes at this age also clearly senses that society imposes sanctions." However, teachers are often pushed into educational work, which is why the action plan calls for one school social worker per school location. Mahrer: "And we are calling for violence protection teams so that teachers are not alone."

(Bild: krone.tv)

Crime on Praterstern declining
The control of the weapons ban zones would work, as Mahrer has shown on Praterstern: "The Vienna police have proven that they can deal with a weapons ban zone, even when it comes to the question of sensible, appropriate control. Over 300 knives have been confiscated at Praterstern in the last four or five years. During this time, crime on Praterstern has been reduced by 30 percent. I believe that the discussion about a general ban on weapons or a ban on knives in public spaces is a necessary and correct measure."

People with a migrant background must be given particularly intensive support when it comes to education and integration, which is why a complete rethink of integration policy is necessary in Vienna. Urgent action is also needed in education. Mahrer: "Children need to learn German from the age of four, five, six or seven so that they can follow the lessons." Today, they are often unable to do so. The result is that eight out of ten children in elementary school can speak German so poorly that they cannot or can only partially achieve their educational goals. Mahrer's conclusion: "If young people don't understand German and don't have a job, then they hang around in the parks and have no hope and no prospects. And if young people have no hope and no prospects, then that leads directly to crime." Many people are now afraid to be out and about in public spaces. Mahrer: "It's five minutes past twelve in reality."

Watch the whole interview in the video above!