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The city of Linz is increasing security in both of its town halls. The climate has become more aggressive, said Mayor Klaus Luger (SPÖ) on Monday, as some incidents in recent months have shown.
In the new town hall, where most of the municipal offices are located, there should be a system with a central lock instead of the 17 entrances for visitors. You have to register in the old town hall in the future.
Vaccination opponents wanted to get into the town hall
In November of the previous year, an unknown person tried to ignite the façade of the New Town Hall with a gas cartridge. Anti-vaccinationists repeatedly tried to get into the town hall during demonstrations. Just a few days ago, a drunk threatened the mayor when he entered his office City listed a number of incidents that made headlines.
But the employees are also increasingly confronted with aggressiveness, it was said: for example, when it comes to unpleasant decisions such as reducing benefits, child births or measures under alien law. So far there have been no injuries, but there have been threats.
Baggage scanners, metal detectors and handheld probes
The central lock at the main entrance to the New Town Hall will be equipped with a baggage scanner, metal detectors and hand-held probes. There should be a second lock at the entrance from the underground car park. The other entrances will be converted into exits or escape routes. These measures are to be implemented in the course of the year. The costs for the technical equipment are estimated at 100,000 euros. The two security gates are to be operated by the city’s own staff, for which the city calculates 300,000 euros per year. For large events in the ballroom, the organizers have to use external companies.
Registration in the Old Town Hall required
In the old town hall, which has more representative functions and where there is significantly less party traffic, citizens and visitors will have to register with the porter in future. Registered tourist groups still have access. The structural adaptations – the porter’s lodge has to be rotated here, among other things – should be completed by the summer and will cost me around 75,000 euros.