A Special Plan to Fight Crime in Florence

The Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, arrived in Florence for a security summit regarding the upswing of crime in the city. During his visit he  stated that the authorities will draw up an experimental measure to combat this problem, one that is increasingly serious, a special ordinance, with relevant rules and regulations. In the coming days, content will be defined together with applicability and resources.

The focus is especially on the sensitive areas (such as Cascine) – with an ordinance designed, according to the Minister, “to cleanse these areas of potential criminals.” The aim is to prevent criminal activity in these places, not only by augmenting the number of patrols and checks but also by an extraordinary plan of action. 

Florence is currently ranked #3 for crime in Italy.

The meeting of the Public Order and Security Committee was held in Florence on September 30. Piantedosi met with Mayor Sara Funaro and Prefect Francesca Ferrandino. They decided that the special plan will include Cascine (the biggest and one of the most important parks in the city), the Santa Maria Novella Station, and the tramway lines, places where the intervention is needed the most, as they can be potentially dangerous during night hours. Mayor Sara Funaro believes these places also negatively influence surrounding areas, as the Cascine does to the via Palazzuolo, via Fininguerra and Borgo Ognissanti. 

Piantedosi confirmed that 25 Carabinieri agents, who completed special training, will be assigned to Florence from October to December to focus on the specified areas. The Polmetro agents, the special force division that has already been deployed in Rome and Milan, will patrol the tramways and take care of the safety of passengers and their belongings, who often fall victim to pickpockets. The Minister promises fresh forces: not only more Carabinieri, but also the state police officers. This would be an addition to the police patrols recently added by Mayor Funaro. It is an important issue, as estimates indicate that the city is currently short of at least 300 officers.

More information on the authorities’ actions and the proposed ordinance will be available in the following days or weeks.  (Paulina Juzak)