For years, neighbours living near the Oberlaa Spa Gardens in Vienna’s Favoriten district have been facing the same problems. Since 2018, noise pollution from wedding processions and illegal street races, verbal abuse and escalating violence have characterised this urban natural gem, which at first glance appears idyllic. As early as 2023, the Ombudsman’s Office, together with local residents, campaigned for measures to curb these out-of-control developments. This was reported on the ORF programme ‘Bürgeranwalt’.
Years later, the situation has evidently not changed for those affected. On the contrary – conditions have actually worsened. Following the brutal beating of a couple in the Kurpark on the evening of 11 July 2026, old safety concerns are resurfacing.
“This latest incident once again confirms the criticism voiced by the Ombudsman’s Office for years. I condemn the ongoing threat to public safety and the chronic understaffing of police stations in the Favoriten district. The resulting lack of a police presence on the ground is a shortcoming that must be rectified as soon as possible,” said Ombudsman Christoph Luisser.
Fewer police officers than available posts
Although the total number of police posts in Favoriten has been stagnating for years, there are currently significantly fewer police officers on duty in the district than there are available posts.
“I am continuing the ex officio investigation initiated by my predecessor’s predecessor, Walter Rosenkranz, and would like to know what police measures have been taken since then and why the police force in the Favoriten district is still struggling with severe staff shortages. We have long been pointing out that Favoriten has too few police posts and that these numbers have not increased over the last 20 years. The latest incidents now show that cutting corners on security comes back to haunt us,” added the Ombudsman.
