Weapons Prohibition Zone at Vienna's Yppenplatz: New Police Measures from August

Effective from August 1, 2025, at 00:00, two new regulations by the Vienna State Police Directorate will apply in the area of Yppenplatz in the 16th district of Vienna: a weapons prohibition zone according to § 36b of the Security Police Act (SPG) and a protection zone under § 36a SPG. According to the police, the aim of these measures is to specifically enhance the sense of security and protection of the public in public spaces – particularly that of minors. Such regulations currently apply to Praterstern in Leopoldstadt and Reumannplatz including Keplerplatz in Favoriten.

Ban on Weapons and Dangerous Items at Vienna's Yppenplatz

The weapons prohibition zone prohibits carrying weapons and dangerous items in the defined area around Yppenplatz – unless there is a comprehensible, lawful reason, such as within the scope of professional activity. Persons with a weapons permit and carrying pepper sprays for self-defense are exempt from the regulation. The zone is in effect all day until November 1, 2025.

Protection Zone Around the Children's Playground

Additionally, the area of the children's play and park facility at Yppenplatz and a radius of 150 meters will be declared a protection zone. This measure is intended to protect children and adolescents from certain criminal acts. Persons for whom there are concrete indications of a potential threat can be expelled from the area by the police. The regulation is in effect daily around the clock and ends on February 1, 2026 – an early repeal remains possible.

Mayor Ludwig: "No Tolerance for Violence in Vienna"

Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig emphasizes the importance of clear rules for coexistence: "The good cooperation between the city of Vienna and the Vienna police is also partly responsible for Vienna being one of the safest metropolises in the world. However, where necessary, stricter regulations must be made, because there is no tolerance for violence in Vienna." Ludwig once again advocated for a nationwide weapons ban.

Broad Support for Weapons Ban Zone in Vienna-Ottakring

Vienna's Police President Gerhard Pürstl explained: "Weapons ban and protection zones are a targeted measure of crime prevention aimed at preventing acts of violence in advance. Our goal is to sustainably strengthen both the subjective sense of security and the objective security situation." District Chairwoman Stefanie Lamp emphasized: "Yppenplatz is a place where people come together to spend their time - it must be safe and freely usable for everyone." She sees the protection and weapons ban zone, which will come into effect in August, as "an important measure that will improve a lot through the sustainable enforcement by the police." Yppenplatz, along with the adjacent Brunnenmarkt, is considered one of Vienna's "most colorful" neighborhoods with many local establishments.

The district administration further referred in a release to previously implemented measures such as improved lighting and the introduction of "neighborhood talks." However, the protection and weapons ban zone can only be effective if sufficient personnel are available for control. "There are still over 100 police officers urgently needed in the city police command Ottakring and Hernals," it was stated. The weapons ban is "a targeted and proportionate measure for more security in Ottakring," said NEOS-Vienna security spokesman Lukas Burian in a release. It is a response to the security situation in Vienna's districts and neighborhoods. "After a shooting and several knife attacks occurred at Yppenplatz in 2024, it makes sense to take measures here as well."

The chairman of the Vienna People's Party Ottakring, Stefan Trittner, said in a release: "I am pleased that this demand of the Vienna People's Party Ottakring is finally being fulfilled. The weapons ban zone is urgently needed because the violent crime on site has become unbearable." In recent years, drug-related violence has taken hold. "There was a shooting, and there are constant knife attacks and brawls." For the Ottakring FPÖ district party chairman NAbg. Michael Oberlechner, the zone is "nothing more than a mere alibi measure that completely misses the actual problems." He referred in a release to the weapons ban zones at Praterstern and Reumannplatz, where "there are still daily stabbings, violence excesses, and gang crime."

(Red)

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