Enhanced Security Concept at the Vienna Danube Island Festival
At the Vienna Danube Island Festival, visitors should be able to "dance, laugh, sing, and have fun together." This was emphasized by Matthias Friedrich, the project manager of the event, to the media on Tuesday. "We want to maintain that." Accordingly, the security measures are high for the 42nd edition from Friday to Sunday. "The horrific act in Graz has not left us unaffected," all eventualities have been considered in the security and awareness concept, said Friedrich.
Searches at the Entrance to the Vienna DIF
For the first time, there is a search order at the Danube Island Festival, which has already proven effective at the New Year's Eve Trail, emphasized Michael Holzgruber from the Vienna State Police Directorate. You are allowed to bring plastic bottles with a volume of 0.5 liters onto the site, and backpacks and bags are allowed up to size A3.
"There are a few things we don't want at the Danube Island Festival at all," said Friedrich, "it starts with dangerous items, knives, and weapons - that's a given anyway." But umbrellas should also stay at home: They could be used as projectiles and would obstruct the view for others.
Vienna Police in Large-Scale Operation on the Danube Island
A primary focus of the executive is accordingly the access controls, Holzgruber explained. "We are on site every day with several hundred executive officers." The goal is to maintain security, but also to provide assistance: "Because we are on patrol, we are very often the first to be able to provide help, whether in health incidents or when children temporarily get lost."
In a central operations command, the coordination of all forces takes place, with daily meetings that also involve the Wiener Linien, the City of Vienna, or the weather service. In two provisional police stations, one can address concerns (including reports) to the officers. Police officers are also undercover, and officers from the special unit Cobra and police dog units are deployed.
Cameras, Drones, and Crime Mapping as Tools
Holzgruber emphasized not only the personnel effort but also the use of technical tools. For instance, 40 cameras "continuously provide images to the central office," and three police drone teams deliver targeted aerial images for coordination. "Additionally, we have what is called crime mapping, which means real-time crime analysis." This allows "the deployment forces to be brought to the location very specifically."
Other focuses are the management of crowd flows, which according to Holzgruber is particularly important "when overpressure situations arise," as well as the prevention of harassment: "Prevention patrols approach people, provide danger warnings and legal education, especially in connection with alcohol consumption, where some people take greater risks." This is intended to prevent problems from arising in the first place.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.