School principal in Döbling: 'Why does the police always have to come?'

The principal of a middle school in Vienna's Döbling district describes a school year marked by escalating problems, despite the arrival of summer holidays. She reports receiving pleas for help from children threatened on social media and witnessing parents seeking assistance after their children were assaulted.

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I get Hilferufe from children who are threatened on social media, parents come to me and report that their child was beaten up in the park yesterday and they don't know what to do now.

"For two years, the problem has grown massively," the principal stated, noting that several fourth-graders have spent time in jail for robbery offenses. She requested anonymity to protect her students' privacy and avoid conflict with the education directorate. The district's reputation as an affluent area has historically made it easier to dismiss issues concerning troubled youths, with such problems often being attributed to schools in other, less affluent districts.

However, recent events challenge this perception. Last spring, a student was expelled after throwing a chair and later firing a gun in a park. In January, a 14-year-old was robbed on his way to school. Other incidents include assaults, thefts, and a 13-year-old setting fire to his homework in class. Police have investigated multiple instances of robbery involving minors, with several arrests made.

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For two years, the problem has grown massively. Since then, we have also had several fourth-graders who were in prison for some time because they were caught in robberies.

Local officials are also expressing concern. "What are we waiting for? – That is the question I get asked most often," said district head Daniel Resch. The article points to a government "Chancenbonus" program aimed at providing additional staff to "disadvantaged schools," which primarily benefits schools in other districts. The increasing frequency and severity of incidents suggest that the problem of juvenile delinquency is not limited to specific neighborhoods.

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What are we waiting for? – That is the question I get asked most often.