Wels municipal patrol records 2,034 operations since February

Wels’s newly established municipal patrol has recorded 2,034 operations and incidents since it began work in February, ORF reported. The 10-member team works closely with the city administration and police.

By the end of July, the patrol had issued 214 reports and 168 warnings. Its staff also carried out 413 official assignments, including delivering letters and checking residents’ addresses.

Monthly figures have exceeded 340 operations since April. July brought a record 433 operations.

Security councillor and Deputy Mayor Gerhard Kroiß of the Freedom Party of Austria said the patrol was operating where residents needed it. He said people who followed the rules could regard it as a partner, while violations would have consequences. Kroiß also said the relaunch as a GmbH had already proved successful.

Managing director Thomas Schwarzlmüller said the team had earned the public’s trust.

In the coming months, the patrol will focus particularly on litter, with special attention to cigarette butts in playgrounds and parks. Officers will also carry out checks in civilian clothing. Other priorities include the alcohol ban at Kaiser-Josef-Platz and enforcement of the regulation governing green spaces.