Kidnapping case unnerves Austria as families ready for new school year

VIENNA, Austria Extra police officers and crossing guards will be on hand to help parents and their children feel safe when schools reopen next week in Austria, which is still reeling over revelations that a schoolgirl spent 8 1/2 years imprisoned in an underground cell.

But to many in this nation stunned by Natascha Kampusch's ordeal and her dramatic escape last week from her kidnapper, the heightened security was just window dressing.

"You almost don't want to let them out of your sight. Not even for a second," said Birgit Meisner, 34, watching her two young boys kick a soccer ball around a Vienna park on Friday.

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