FPÖ leader Christof Bitschi complained about an increase in crime and the unsafe state of Vorarlberg during the topical hour of the most recent state parliament session. Complete nonsense, the MPs from the other parties agreed. Bitschi should read the crime statistics presented shortly before the parliamentary session with a little more sense and understanding and not arbitrarily pick out any figures and stir up fears among the population, was the general tenor.

However, the FPÖ leader's speech apparently did trigger fear - albeit of an impending election defeat. Because less than two weeks after the state parliament meeting, Governor Markus Wallner, State Councillor for Security Christian Gantner and Police Chief Hans-Peter Ludescher presented a new security commissioner for Vorarlberg. A province where 90 percent of the population feel safe. A state that has the highest crime clearance rate in the whole of Austria.

Gut instead of head
Gantner's explanations as to why security is now suddenly a top priority in the Landhaus would also have looked good on a cabaret stage. "Security is not just a state, but also a feeling," he proclaimed. The real yardstick is perceived security and that doesn't happen in the head, but in the gut!

In line with Gantner's gut feeling, after the "Vorarlberg Code" (so far much ado about nothing), a pub rescue concept (without content) and a wolf management plan (unlikely to stand up to legal scrutiny), there is now also a dedicated safety officer. Or as Gantner so beautifully put it: "With deputy district police commander Nina Leitgeb, security now has a face."

"The face of security in Vorarlberg"
This "face of security in Vorarlberg" also had her say and commented on the new tasks. In future, Leitgeb wants to work closely with the officers in the field and prepare, coordinate and evaluate specific measures such as joint checks with ÖBB on night trains.

In addition to the "hotspot trains" mentioned by Wallner, the police will also be present in public places. "Due to the legalization of cannabis in Germany, we will also carry out additional checks at the border," Leitgeb announced. In addition, more attention will be paid to drivers who are driving under the influence of cannabis or other addictive substances during traffic checks in future. "Our aim here is to increase safety for other road users."

As is well known, the European Football Championship with Austrian participation will take place this summer, which means there will also be several public viewing events in the Ländle. Leitgeb promised that the police would also be prepared for this.

Focus on important issues and overtime 
State Police Director Hans-Peter Ludescher explained how the police intend to manage the increased measures in view of the staff shortage: "We will focus on issues and take less intensive care of other areas that allow for delays." He is also relying on his team's willingness to work overtime.