After Volksgarten:

Metahofpark will soon also become a protection zone

Graz's Metahofpark - like the Volksgarten since mid-July - will once again become a protection zone: as in 2019 and 2020, the police want to be able to order people away from the parks to protect others, especially young people. Drug dealers in particular are to be targeted.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and Governor Christopher Drexler (both ÖVP) announced the measure on Tuesday. The background to this was the expected suppression of the drug scene.

After two months in the Volksgartenpark protection zone, dealers have moved their business to the nearby Metahofpark. For this reason, more checks are now to be carried out there too and, if necessary, expulsions issued.

This repressive measure will shift the drug scene to other areas of the city. However, officers want to keep a close eye on this. According to Drexler, the residents of the two protection zones can "breathe a sigh of relief".

 

Since the introduction of the protection zone in Volksgartenpark on July 15, 2024, more than 130 entry bans have been issued on suspicion of criminal acts, explained Interior Minister Karner. Around 800 people were checked in just over two months. More than 50 cases were reported for disregarding an entry ban that had already been issued. Fines of up to 4,600 euros (in the event of a repeat offense) are to be expected.

The new protection zone in Metahofpark(Bild: LPD Steiermark)

Certain hotspots are now being cleaned up.

Innenminister Gerhard Karner

During the intensive checks in the protection zone, officers seized narcotics around 30 times. 35 charges were filed under the Narcotics Act. In addition, drunk or drugged persons were caught at the wheel of vehicles.

Incidentally, the police had anticipated the displacement to the nearby Metahofpark. That is why this area will now also become a protection zone - initially for six months with the option to extend. "Certain hotspots are now being tidied up," summarized Karner.

City police commander Thomas Heiland, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, Governor Christopher Drexler and LPD Vice Alexander Gaisch(Bild: LPD Stmk, Florian Huber)

Governor Drexler emphasized that good experiences had already been made with the protection zones in both parks four years ago. He was aware that it could only be a temporary measure, but that a certain sustainability was developing. "I'm certainly happy about peace and order" in the area, which is close to his heart because he grew up nearby.

Not a solution for eternity
City police commander Thomas Heiland emphasized the measure as a temporary one: "It is not aimed at solving the addiction problem for all eternity." Protection zones would always be imposed if they were necessary. The situation is constantly changing.