Halloween riots: Police in Upper Austria take precautions

After the riots on Halloween night 2022 in downtown Linz, the police in Upper Austria and nationwide are preparing for the coming October 31st. Staff will be increased in all districts and the three statutory cities of Linz, Wels and Steyr. At the moment there is no evidence of arranged meetings, informed State Police Director Andreas Pilsl.

Last year, a young person posted a video that fueled the flash mob-like riots. Parallels were drawn to the feature film “Athena”, which is about street battles and police violence in the French suburbs. In fact, there were riots by young people in Linz’s city center – mostly with a migrant background. Officers were pelted with stones and fireworks.

It subsequently handed down 25 criminal convictions. The ringleaders received partial or conditional prison sentences. According to the police, there were also 200 “severe” administrative penalties. The executive branch assumes that this energetic crackdown will have a deterrent effect on young people and that “Halloween will be quiet this year,” said Pilsl. As far as permitted, social media is also regularly monitored; so far nothing is apparently planned, as the police youth contact officers report.

Also read: Executive arming: 3,300 body cameras and 6,000 protective vests for the police

Nevertheless, the police were on heightened alert on October 31st. “We have made intensive preparations nationwide and are prepared. In the past few days there have been numerous operational meetings between the state police directorates and the Federal Police Directorate, but also the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum is also involved in the operational preparations,” said Interior Minister Gerhard Karner ( ÖVP) at a press conference on Tuesday in Linz. He had given the order to “intervene robustly and consistently in the event of riots”. Drones, cameras and body cameras would be used to comprehensively secure evidence.

more on the subject: Halloween is approaching: Interior Minister wants to intervene “consistently and robustly”.

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