Two years in prison for throwing a stone from the Brigittenau Bridge in Vienna!

Two years in prison for throwing a stone from the Brigittenau Bridge in Vienna!

A shocking incident occurred on November 11, 2024, when a 34-year-old man threw large stones from the Brigittenau Bridge onto the A22. This dangerous act, which hit several cars and injured a driver due to broken glass, led to the defendant being sentenced to two years in prison, including eight months without parole. How vol.at reports, the man could not remember the crime at the beginning of the trial, but said through an interpreter that he may have been playing with stones.

A total of three vehicles were damaged in the incident, including a windshield, a radiator grille and the roof of a car. Shortly after the incident, a police patrol discovered several stones under the bridge. A backpack was later found nearby from which traces of the defendant's DNA were recovered. The man, a Hungarian citizen with no permanent address in Vienna, accepted the verdict after consulting his lawyer, as did the public prosecutor's office.

A dangerous environment

This incident is part of a worrying trend in Vienna, which indicates an increase in crime, according to the Vienna Crime Index. After a decline during the Covid period, numbers started to rise again and the city has also now developed a less positive reputation due to its higher crime rates compared to cities such as Munich, Zurich and Stuttgart. How Security Newspaper states, the need for increased police presence and preventive measures is more urgent than ever.

Vienna is one of the less safe cities in Europe, which not only attracts attention from citizens but also from numerous experts. The demand for more police forces on the streets is becoming louder in order to strengthen the population's sense of security. Many media and government agencies use data from platforms such as Numbeo, which provide comprehensive and regularly updated crime information, to better assess such developments.

Another violent incident

Interestingly, this defendant has previously drawn attention to himself through violent acts. Earlier this year he was arrested after threatening a passerby with an iron rod. The passer-by was able to avoid it, but was injured when he fell. Such repeated acts of violence highlight the challenges Vienna faces when it comes to the safety of its citizens.

The 34-year-old's conviction makes it clear that preventive measures and a tougher approach to violent crime are urgently needed to combat the rise in crime and improve the feeling of security in the city. Only through close cooperation between the authorities and the population can Vienna become a place worth living in for everyone again.

In summary, it should be noted that the Brigittenauer Bridge case is coming into focus not only because of the crime itself, but also because of the larger questions of security and crime in Vienna associated with it. How ORF Vienna reports, it is important that everyone involved is committed to a safer future.